The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review

Introduction: An increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was predicted as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures established for controlling it. Aims: This review seeks to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in...

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Main Authors: Olga MALAS, Maria-Dolores TOLSÁ
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Semmelweis University Institute of Mental Health 2022-10-01
Series:European Journal of Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2022/10/18/the-covid-19-pandemic-and-the-obsessive-compulsive-phenomena/
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author Olga MALAS
Maria-Dolores TOLSÁ
author_facet Olga MALAS
Maria-Dolores TOLSÁ
author_sort Olga MALAS
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: An increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was predicted as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures established for controlling it. Aims: This review seeks to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the pandemic’s effect on the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, predisposing factors, interventions carried out, their effectiveness and the proposal of interventions in future situations similar to the one studied. Methods: For this purpose, a systematic review of empirical articles, published from November 2019 to June 2022, is carried out, following the PRISMA methodology. The review was registered in Open Science Forum [10.17605/OSF.IO/DV8GZ]. Results: The studies indicated an increase in the prevalence of OC symptoms in the general population, as well as new obsessions, relapses, and/ or worsening of the pre-existing symptoms in patients with OCD mainly related to contamination obsessions and cleaning and hand washing compulsions. Predisposing factors are being younger, low resilience, low social support, the presence of previous contamination symptoms, overexposure to news about COVID-19, the previous severity and aggressiveness of OC symptomatology, and the absence or lack of treatment adherence. The combined use of pharmacological treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapies, teaching skills to reinforce resilience, and training in coping strategies will be recommended. Conclusions: The data obtained can be used as a basis for future OCD prevention plans in crises similar to the one studied.
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spelling doaj.art-9a8e50c9994a45dba2fa38f11a2338162022-12-22T04:39:19ZengSemmelweis University Institute of Mental HealthEuropean Journal of Mental Health1788-71192022-10-01172132148https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.17.2022.2.13The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic ReviewOlga MALAS0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9861-198XMaria-Dolores TOLSÁ1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-2716Medical Emergency System – Service of Psychology – Department of Health - Generalitat of Catalonia, SpainDepartament of Experimental Medicin Universitat de Lleida, SpainIntroduction: An increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was predicted as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures established for controlling it. Aims: This review seeks to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the pandemic’s effect on the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, predisposing factors, interventions carried out, their effectiveness and the proposal of interventions in future situations similar to the one studied. Methods: For this purpose, a systematic review of empirical articles, published from November 2019 to June 2022, is carried out, following the PRISMA methodology. The review was registered in Open Science Forum [10.17605/OSF.IO/DV8GZ]. Results: The studies indicated an increase in the prevalence of OC symptoms in the general population, as well as new obsessions, relapses, and/ or worsening of the pre-existing symptoms in patients with OCD mainly related to contamination obsessions and cleaning and hand washing compulsions. Predisposing factors are being younger, low resilience, low social support, the presence of previous contamination symptoms, overexposure to news about COVID-19, the previous severity and aggressiveness of OC symptomatology, and the absence or lack of treatment adherence. The combined use of pharmacological treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapies, teaching skills to reinforce resilience, and training in coping strategies will be recommended. Conclusions: The data obtained can be used as a basis for future OCD prevention plans in crises similar to the one studied.https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2022/10/18/the-covid-19-pandemic-and-the-obsessive-compulsive-phenomena/covid-19 coronavirus pandemic obsessive-compulsive disorders mental health
spellingShingle Olga MALAS
Maria-Dolores TOLSÁ
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
European Journal of Mental Health
covid-19
coronavirus
pandemic
obsessive-compulsive disorders
mental health
title The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
title_full The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
title_short The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
title_sort covid 19 pandemic and the obsessive compulsive phenomena in the general population and among ocd patients a systematic review
topic covid-19
coronavirus
pandemic
obsessive-compulsive disorders
mental health
url https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2022/10/18/the-covid-19-pandemic-and-the-obsessive-compulsive-phenomena/
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