Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disease that is associated with anxiety provoking thoughts (Obsessions) leading to compulsive and repetitive behavior (compulsions) that may or may not a provide temporary relief. It is a debilitating disease that can significantly affect almost all aspects of patient’s life and in some cases lead to suicide.
OCD has an approximate prevalence rate of 2–3% in the general population and 0.6% in the Indian population. OCD particularly in its severest forms causes a high degree of psychical suffering and psychosocial impairment. sometimes comparable to that of schizophrenia.
The therapeutic response to the usual treatments is still limited. Currently 60% to 70% of patients respond to pharmacotherapy with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI), while 60% to 80% of them improve with behavioral therapy. Therefore, nearly 40% of OCD patients do not respond well to adequate therapeutic measures. Different treatment approaches are proposed for resistant cases. such as the association of medications, aiming to their augmentation. Cognitive and behavioral therapy is an important adjunct in treating difficult cases. Neurosurgeries are a therapeutic alternative when all conventional approaches fail.