P-1218 - Obsessive-compulsive Symptoms - in the Path to Psychosis?: a Case Report

Abstract

Introduction

There is consistent evidence reporting comorbidity between psychotic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), although is scarce the understanding of how this two entities interact and influence each other, especially in their subclinical presentations or prodromal phases.

Objectives

The authors present a case study in which they describe a young adult presenting obsessive-compulsive and psycotic (subclinical) symptoms, questioning the extension of the comorbidity between Obsessive-compulsive Disease and Schizophrenia and the existence of outcome predictors.

Methods

A case report is presented and a literature review of the theme is shortly surveyed.

Results

The case report is about a Young man of 20 years old, who have been developing for about two years obsessive thoughts of doubt concerning is sexuality, death and his mental health.

Additionally, he described sensations of depersonalization, derealization and an intense distress that have been interfering with is function and daily activity. Various studies report substantial presence of OCD symptoms in schizophrenia, suggesting an early appearance in the development of the disease and that they can act as predictor of poorer outcome. Also, recent studies demonstrated that the presence of OCD symptoms may promote transition from psychotic symptoms to psychotic disorder.

Conclusions

In prodromal stages, OCD symptoms may increase the risk and predict development of psychosis disorder, alerting the clinicians to be aware of a possible different presenting forms and risk stages for psychosis.

More research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of interaction between OCD and Psychosis and thus confirm the hypothetical etiologic relationship.