The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena, in the General Population and among OCD Patients: A Systematic Review

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: An increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) waspredicted as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measuresestablished for controlling it.Aims: This review seeks to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular thepandemic’s effect on the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms,predisposing factors, interventions carried out, their effectiveness andthe proposal of interventions in future situations similar to the one studied.Methods: For this purpose, a systematic review of empirical articles, publishedfrom November 2019 to June 2022, is carried out, following thePRISMA methodology. The review was registered in Open Science Forum[10.17605/OSF.IO/DV8GZ].Results: The studies indicated an increase in the prevalence of OC symptomsin the general population, as well as new obsessions, relapses, and/or worsening of the pre-existing symptoms in patients with OCD mainlyrelated to contamination obsessions and cleaning and hand washing compulsions.Predisposing factors are being younger, low resilience, low socialsupport, the presence of previous contamination symptoms, overexposureto news about COVID-19, the previous severity and aggressiveness of OCsymptomatology, and the absence or lack of treatment adherence. The combineduse of pharmacological treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapies,teaching skills to reinforce resilience, and training in coping strategies willbe recommended.Conclusions: The data obtained can be used as a basis for future OCDprevention plans in crises similar to the one studied.

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