Covid-19 & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Clinical Intricacies

Abstract

The globe-gripping pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020 compelled us to impose quarantines and lockdowns in many countries to curb the spread of this highly infectious disease, as well as, to follow safety guidelines like frequent handwashing, wearing masks or social distancing prescribed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for its prevention. The deadly virus has many mental health implications as well, which included depression, anxiety, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, the preventive safety guidelines promoted behaviors resembled the acts observed in the individuals with OCD, e.g., contamination fear, related obsessions and compulsions worsened as a consequence. The fear of COVID-19 and increased stress levels contributed to increasing the risk of OCD among individuals. Children, elderly, youth, women during menstruation, pregnant women or health care workers were observed to be most vulnerable and at risk for developing OCD symptoms. The health belief model, the Stress Diathesis model and other social and environmental factors explained the theoretical rationale behind the development of related symptomology among individuals since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Intervention techniques like CBT, supportive therapy or psychoeducation can help the at-risk as well as the affected individuals. Finally, some limitations and directions of future researches have been proposed.