Acute exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19. (21st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: French, I.; Lyne, J.
• Editors: Gavin, Blanaid; Lyne, John; McNicholas, Fiona
• Is Part Of: Irish journal of psychological medicine. Volume 37:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2020-12-21
• Subjects: Coronavirus, -- COVID-19, -- obsessive–compulsive disorder, -- pandemic; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2020.61
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-9667

Abstract

Abstract : The emergence of COVID-19 has recently dominated public discourse given its serious impact on vulnerable patient groups. Advice in relation to reducing risk of contamination has justifiably been circulated widely during the COVID-19 crisis. Contamination fear is a common obsessional theme in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and there is a need for increased research on how infectious disease epidemics affect patients with OCD. We present the case of a lady in her 30s with a history of well-controlled contamination OCD who presented acutely with a significant exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19. The case highlights the potential psychological impacts of infectious disease epidemics on individuals with mental illness. We also highlight some of the risks posed to such patients in response to epidemics such as the COVID-19 crisis.