Phenomenology and Severity of Symptoms in OCD Patients After COVID 19: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: COVID 19 pandemic and the associated restrictions can have significant impact on patients with pre-existing mental disorders. Fear of getting infected and excessive focus on contamination can worsen in patients with OCD. Methodology: Thirty patients with OCD attending Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital were evaluated for OCD symptom severity using Y-BOCS severity scores in June and July 2020 and that was compared with their scores five months prior (pre covid) Results: Majority of the study population (53%) had no changes in symptom severity after the onset of COVID19 pandemic. Twenty seven percent (27%) had a decrease in symptom severity while only 20% had increase in severity. Conclusion: Our study results indicate that there were no significant changes in OCD symptom severity after the onset of COVID 19 pandemic.