Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis and Management

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorderequivalent to paroxetine. 28 A small preliminary studysuggested that mirtazapine (Remeron) may also be aneffective treatment for OCD. 29Another option for patients with OCD who have partiallyresponded to SSRI therapy is the addition of anatypical antipsychotic. Antipsychotic augmentation isindicated only after a three-month trial of an SSRI atthe maximal tolerated dosage. 30 Risperidone (Risperdal)has the strongest evidence base for use as an adjunctiveagent; however, quetiapine (Seroquel) and olanzapine(Zyprexa) are also used. 16 Antipsychotic augmentationis particularly beneficial in patients with comorbid tics.An SSRI in combination with risperidone or haloperidol(formerly Haldol) is the preferred treatment in thesepatients. 30Patients with treatment-resistant OCD should bereferred to a subspecialist. There are a variety of treatmentoptions for these patients, but the evidence formost therapies is based on small preliminary studies orexpert opinion. 16,21 Partial hospitalization and residentialtreatment facilities are options for patients with severe,treatment-resistant OCD.COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINEThere are limited trials of complementary and alternativemedicine approaches for the treatment of OCD.Initial studies have suggested beneficial effects formoderate-intensity aerobic exercise and mindfulnessinterventions (e.g., meditative breathing). 31,32 There haslong been interest in the use of St. John’s wort for treatmentof OCD. A recent double-blind study did not supportthe effectiveness of this treatment, although furtherstudy has been recommended. 33Special Considerations for Childhood OCDAlthough OCD in childhood can occur in isolation,there is a high rate of comorbidity with mood disorders,tic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,and developmental abnormalities. Children withabrupt onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms or ticsshould be evaluated for group A Streptococcus infection,with possible PANDAS. Children with OCD shouldbe referred to a subspecialist. CBT with exposure andresponse prevention is the preferred initial treatmentmodality. SSRI treatment may be indicated in patientswith severe symptoms, or when there is lack of improvementwith CBT alone. 21The authors thank Joseph Himle, PhD, of the University of MichiganMedical School Department of Psychiatry, for assistance with the preparationof the manuscript.The AuthorsJILL N. FENSKE, MD, is a clinical lecturer in the Department of Family Medicineat the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.THOMAS L. SCHWENK, MD, is the George A. Dean, MD, Chair and Professorof Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, anassociate editor of Journal Watch, and a section editor of UpToDate.Address correspondence to Jill N. Fenske, MD, Chelsea Health Center,14700 E. Old U.S. Highway 12, Chelsea, MI 48118 (e-mail: jnfenske@med.umich.edu). Reprints are not available from the authors.Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.REFERENCES1. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence,severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders inthe National Comorbidity Survey Replication [published correctionappears in Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(7):709]. Arch Gen Psychiatry.2005;62(6):617-627.2. Koran LM. Quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatr ClinNorth Am. 2000;23(3):509-517.3. 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Diniz JB, Rosario-Campos MC, Hounie AG, et al. Chronic tics andTourette syndrome in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Psychiatr Res. 2006;40(6):487-493.15. McDougle CJ, Goodman WK, Leckman JF, Lee NC, Heninger GR, PriceLH. Haloperidol addition in fluvoxamine-refractory obsessive-compulsivedisorder. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with andwithout tics. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;51(4):302-308.16. Canadian Psychiatric Association. Clinical practice guidelines. Managementof anxiety disorders [published correction appears in Can J Psychiatry.2006;51(10):623]. Can J Psychiatry. 2006;51(8 suppl 2):9S-91S.244 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 80, Number 3 ◆ August 1, 2009