Obsessions definition

The distinction between an obsession and delusion is an important one. Both represent over-valued ideas. The conceptual difference lies in the patient s insight into the senselessness of those ideas. By definition, patients with delusions are... 

Note Doses are provided as general guidelines only, and are not meant to be definitive. All doses must be individualized and monitored through appropriate clinical and/or laboratory means. ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder bid, twice daily c, capsule CYP, cytochrome P450 EKG electrocardiogram FDA, Food and Drug Administration IM, intramuscular MDD, major depressive disorder OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder PDD, pervasive developmental disorder qd, once daily qhs each bedtime qoWk, every other week t, tablet tid, three times daily TS, Tourette s syndrome WBC, white blood cell count. 

Some obsessions or compulsions may masquerade as a specific phobia or agoraphobia conversely, anxiety about OCD symptoms may mimic a panic attack. Alternatively, it is possible that the co-morbidity is real and has some significance other than definitional. 

Obsessive-compulsive disordet is rare in obsessive-compulsive personalities. One study found that only 6% of these personality disorders have OCD thus, it is quite likely that the two conditions are distinct (260). The implication for treatment is that agents helpful for OCD (e.g., clomipramine) may not benefit obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Definitive studies to address this issue have not been conducted, however. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a syndrome characterized by obsessions and/ or compulsions, which together last at least an hour per day and are sufficiently bothersome that they interfere with one s normal social or occupational functioning. Obsessions are experienced internally and subjectively by the patient as thoughts, impulses, or images. According to standard definitions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), obsessions are intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety and distress. Common obsessions are listed in Table 9—1. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is rarely diagnosed in African Americans (Friedman et al. 1993 Hatch et al. 1992 Paradis et al. 1994). Although there are no definitive studies, case reports suggest that many of these patients are diagnosed as being psychotic (Lawson 1999). The ego-dystonic obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder may easily be misinterpreted as delusions or a thought disturbance, and the compulsions may be mistaken for psychotic behavior (Hwang and Hollander 1993). 

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