Psychiatria pre prax 3/2021

Schizo-obsessive symptoms

Obsessive compulsive disorder is among the comorbid disorders in schizophrenia. Although these two disorders form independent diagnostic categories, their characteristics show similarity to one another and their symptoms may also overlap. Obsessive compulsive disorder is expected to occur in up to 12 % of patients with schizophrenia. This knowledge leads to suggestions of the category of schizo-obsessive disorders and the definition of schizo-obsessive disorder as aseparate unit showing differences from both schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder. The clinical significance of schizo-obsessive symptoms can be described from 3 perspectives: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms can precede psychosis and thus be seen as its prodroms. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms co-occuring with schizophrenia can cause diagnostic complications and negatively affect the prognosis of the disease. Obsessive compulsive symptoms may also be induced by antipsychotics, particularly clozapine, olanzapine and risperidone. This also complicates the therapeutic approach to schizoobsedant disorder.

Keywords: schizophrenia, obsesive-compulsive disorder, comorbidity, treatment, course