Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Clinical and Personality Correlates

Abstract The objective of the present study was to establish a clinical/personality profile of Turkish patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TR-OCD). Methods. A neurocognitive/clinical test battery was administered to 17 patients with TR-OCD. Results. TR-OCD patients presented with major psychiatric syndromes (especially mood and generalized anxiety disorders) and personality disorders (particularly paranoid, avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, histrionic), and obtained higher scores on measures of core OCD symptoms (i.e., obsessional ideation, compulsive cleaning/washing, mental neutralizing), depressive symptoms, schizotypal personality features, and impulsiveness relative to normative controls. TR-OCD patients did not differ significantly from normative controls on checking, doubting, ordering, and hoarding subscales, and on measures of venturesomeness and empathy. Conclusions. Lack of insight, suspiciousness, and rigidity associated with schizotypal, paranoid, and obsessive-compulsive personality features may have contributed to treatment failure.