Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review of the diagnostic criteria and possible subtypes and dimensional specifiers for DSM-V

James F. Leckman, Damiaan Denys, H. Blair Simpson, David Mataix-Cols, Eric Hollander, Sanjaya Saxena, Euripedes C. Miguel, Scott L. Rauch, Wayne K. Goodman, Katharine A. Phillips, Dan J. Stein

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

248 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Since the publication of the DSM-IV in 1994, research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has continued to expand. It is timely to reconsider the nosology of this disorder, assessing whether changes to diagnostic criteria as well as subtypes and specifiers may improve diagnostic validity and clinical utility. Methods: The existing criteria were evaluated. Key issues were identified. Electronic databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO were searched for relevant studies. Results: This review presents a number of options and preliminary recommendations to be considered for DSM-V. These include: (1) clarifying and simplifying the definition of obsessions and compulsions (criterion A); (2) possibly deleting the requirement that people recognize that their obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable (criterion B); (3) rethinking the clinical significance criterion (criterion C) and, in the interim, possibly adjusting what is considered "time- consuming" for OCD; (4) listing additional disorders to help with the differential diagnosis (criterion D); (5) rethinking the medical exclusion criterion (criterion E) and clarifying what is meant by a "general medical condition"; (6) revising the specifiers (i.e., clarifying that OCD can involve a range of insight, in addition to "poor insight," and adding "tic-related OCD"); and (7) highlighting in the DSM-V text important clinical features of OCD that are not currently mentioned in the criteria (e.g., the major symptom dimensions). Conclusions: A number of changes to the existing diagnostic criteria for OCD are proposed. These proposed criteria may change as the DSM-V process progresses. Depression and Anxiety 27:507-527, 2010.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)507-527
Number of pages21
JournalDepression and Anxiety
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • DSM-V
  • Early onset
  • Nosology
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Symptom dimensions
  • Tic disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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