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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176: 281-284
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and delusions revisited

ANNE-MARIE O'DWYER, MRCPsych and ISAAC MARKS, FRCPsych

Institute of Psychiatry and Maudsley Hospital, London

Declaration of interest None.

Correspondence: Professor I. M. Marks, Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ

Background The concept of fixed, unshakeable (delusional) beliefs within the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one that has received varying amounts of attention in the literature, and has not yet received universal acknowledgement. There are good grounds for including these cases within the diagnostic concepts of OCD, with significant implications for clinical management.

Aims To present cases with unusual OCD, in order to re-evaluate the issue of delusions and OCD.

Method The cases of five subjects with delusions in the course of obsessive-compulsive disorder are presented to illustrate ‘delusional’ OCD. The management and outcome of these cases are discussed.

Results Fixity and bizarreness of beliefs in OCD occur on a continuum from ‘none’ to ‘delusional intensity’ and may fluctuate within subjects.

Conclusions The idea that these cases may represent a form of OCD has implications for management, as, if this is correct, they should be able to respond to appropriate behavioural and/or pharmacological strategies used in OCD.




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