A Comparative study of Clinical Features, Quality of Life in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic Disabling and often debilitating disorder, marked by obsessions and Compulsions. Obsessions are described as recurrent intrusive, distressing Thoughts, images, or impulses, which the patients recognizes as irrational. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the patient feels Driven to perform to prevent or to reduce distress or feared situation. The recognition of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as a Distinct mental disorder began in the 19th century. In 1877, the German Psychiatrist West Phal used the term ‘Zwang vorstellung’ (Compelled Presentation or idea) to describe OCD pathology. Nineteenth century French descriptions related this disorder to doubt or what was called “Insanity with insight”. Esquirol (1837) and Legren du Salle (1875) Related this syndrome to doubt (Folie du doute) and disease of the will (Deliredu toucher). Janet called this as psychasthenia and stressed the Relationship with low mental energy. The British translated Westphal’s Term as “Obsession” and the Americans as “Compulsions”. Obsessive compulsive disorder which was once thought to be Uncommon condition has been increasingly recognized now. The life time Prevalence of this disorder is between 2 to 3% in general population. It is Twice as prevalent as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and the fourth Most common psychiatric disorder. Above all, 50 – 60% of the OCD Patients also experience two or more co-morbid psychiatric conditions During their life time. However, OCD has not received due attention of The clinicians, researchers and policy makers because it is a non psychotic Illness. OCD is being labeled a “hidden epidemic” and ranked 20th in Global burden of disease among all diseases as a cause of disability – Adjusted life years lost in developed countries. Available evidence Indicates that OCD patients report general impairment in their Functioning, and report poor quality of life (QOL). They also suffer from Disability in several areas, particularly in marital, occupational, emotional And social functioning. More severe OCD symptoms were associated with General impairment in functioning. There is evidence that even the Treatment responders continue to experience poor QOL. Depression and Obsessions are the symptom clusters that most strongly contribute to low QOL. Because of the demoralization and hopelessness caused by Obsessive compulsive symptoms, these patients view their life as Worthless, but studies on clinical features and quality of life in obsessive Compulsive disorder, compared to depression are very few which made us To take up this study. In view of significance of quality of life as an indication of needs For care for the population that is being studied, I chose to study this Aspect among the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a neglected field in Psychiatry. It was proposed to study the clinical features and assess the Quality of life in them in comparison with another disabling condition, Namely, major depression