Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the covid-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review

Abstract

Background: there has been much speculation about untoward effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on psychological symptoms. OCD may be expected to be especially impacted. Our aim was to distil the current evidence base on relationships between the pandemic and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, in patients, and general population samples.

Methods: we conducted a rapid scoping review, in the form of a systematic literature search, coupled with narrative review. 32 relevant papers were identified.

Results and Interpretation: (1) A sizable proportion of people with OCD (but not all) experienced/reported symptom worsening during the pandemic, especially during initial restrictions (approximately 20-65% of cases in longitudinal studies); (2) contamination/washing symptoms appeared particularly susceptible; and (3) OCD symptoms in general population samples were associated with trait compulsivity and pandemic-related-stress. The literature was heterogeneous with various methodological issues being commonplace.

Future Directions: the review identified important unaddressed issues: how should exposure based therapy be adapted during pandemics? How can we minimise harm from exacerbation of OCD in vulnerable individuals arising from public health messaging? Why do some but not all OCD patients experience worsening? And does Covid-19 infection affect (or lead to) OCD symptoms?

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Identifiers

ORCID for David Baldwin: orcid.org/0000-0003-3343-0907

ORCID for Samuel Chamberlain: orcid.org/0000-0001-7014-8121

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