Transcranial direct current stimulation as early augmentation in adolescent obsessive compulsive disorder:A pilot proof-of-concept randomized control trial

BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)is proven to be safe in treating various neurological conditions in children and adolescents.It is also an effective method in the treatment of OCD in adults.AIM To assess the safety and efficacy of tDCS as an add-on therapy in drug-naive adolescents with OCD.METHODS We studied drug-naïve adolescents with OCD,using a Children’s Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale(CY-BOCS)scale to assess their condition.Both active and sham groups were given fluoxetine,and we applied cathode and anode over the supplementary motor area and deltoid for 20 min in 10 sessions.Reassessment occurred at 2,6,and 12 wk using CY-BOCS.RESULTS Eighteen adolescents completed the study(10-active,8-sham group).CY-BOCS scores from baseline to 12 wk reduced significantly in both groups but change at baseline to 2 wk was significant in the active group only.The mean change at 2 wk was more in the active group(11.8±7.77 vs 5.25±2.22,P=0.056).Adverse effects between the groups were comparable.CONCLUSION tDCS is safe and well tolerated for the treatment of OCD in adolescents.However,there is a need for further studies with a larger sample population to confirm the effectiveness of tDCS as early augmentation in OCD in this population.

Understanding Behavioral Manifestations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in People with Intellectual Disabilities—A Qualitative Study

Background: There is limited knowledge about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). This paper describes the manifestation of compulsive behaviors associated with OCD at the behavioral level in people with ID in institutionalized settings. The aim was to gain nuanced insight into appropriate understanding and classification in this specific context, and derive implications for research and practice. Methods: Individual cases of people with ID (n = 7) were studied to assess compulsive symptoms through two days of on-site observation of the person with ID within the institution, guided group discussions (n = 28), and semi-structured interviews with key informants and caregivers of the person with ID (n = 20). Caregiver ratings of the compulsive behavior checklist were compiled. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: All forms of OCD were present. Characteristics of compulsive behaviors in people with ID at the behavioral level included less complex and more obvious compulsive acts, immediate responses, signs of tension, motor restlessness, facial expression changes, repetition, need for predictability, time-consuming behaviors, and aggressive reactions when these acts were interrupted. Some of the compulsive behaviors corresponded to the ICD-11 OCD code 6B20, and others to compulsions as a psychological symptom (MB23.4). Conclusions: OCD may manifest atypically at the behavioral level in people with ID, posing significant challenges for accurate classification due to symptom ambiguity. Follow-up differential diagnostic studies are needed to more accurately identify and differentiate OCD symptoms in people with ID. Further, disorder-specific guidelines for recognizing OCD in people with ID are needed for institutionalized settings without psychiatric-psychotherapeutic expertise.

Evaluating Pharmacological and Rehabilitation Strategies for Effective Management of Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Clinical Study

Bipolar disorder presents significant challenges in clinical management, characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania often accompanied by impairment in functioning. This study investigates the efficacy of pharmacological interventions and rehabilitation strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial with multiple treatment arms, participants will receive pharmacotherapy, polypharmacotherapy, rehabilitation interventions, or combination treatments. Outcome measures will be assessed using standardized scales, including the Hamilton Depression Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and Mania Scale. Preliminary data suggest improvements in symptom severity and functional outcomes with combination treatments. This research aims to inform clinical practice, guide treatment decisions, and ultimately enhance the quality of care for individuals living with bipolar disorder. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences to advance knowledge in this field.

The Psychology of Shopping Addiction in Consumer Behaviour

This comprehensive article examines the phenomenon of consumer addiction,primarily focusing on shopping addiction and its dimensions,including brand addiction.It delves into the underlying causes,manifestations,and consequences of consumer addiction from both consumer and marketer perspectives,shedding light on the ethical and cultural considerations within today's society.Consumer addiction is characterized by recurrent,irresistible purchasing behaviors driven by negative emotions such as anxiety and impulsivity.It is recognized as a behavioral addiction closely intertwined with consumerism.The article emphasizes the imperative for ethical marketing practices to mitigate the exacerbation of addictive behaviors while acknowledging the impact of culture on consumer choices.The article also discusses the crucial role of research in understanding the implications of consumer addiction on the economy,and it suggests that marketers should focus on fostering positive brand addiction rather than exploiting consumerism.It underscores the influence of cultural factors on addictive consumption and calls for responsible marketing practices and governmental regulations.In conclusion,this article highlights the critical significance of consumer addiction in the field of marketing and its multifaceted implications for both consumers and businesses.It underscores the need for ethical marketing strategies,cultural awareness,and responsible brand management to address this complex phenomenon in contemporary society.

Schedule-Induced Polydipsia:Searching for the Endophenotype of Compulsive Behavior

The development of excessive and persistent drinking under intermittent food-reinforcement schedules, known Schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP), has been proposed as a successful animal model to study compulsive behaviors. On the last decade, we have been working in our laboratory on the stratification of the compulsive rats on SIP in order to know whether differences in the acquisition of compulsive drinking behavior could predict alterations in other behavioral measures as well as in the neurochemical function typically associated with compulsive spectrum disorders. The aim of this review is to collate the main findings relevant to the characterization and use of the high compulsive drinking rats (HD) in SIP as a possible compulsive endophenotype. The review of the genetic, behavioral and neurochemical differences found in the selection allows us to conclude that HD rats could be a valid model for studying the compulsive phenotype and modelling psychopathology common to a variety of compulsivity spectrum disorders such as obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and alcohol abuse.

Breaking mechanism and control technology of sandstone straight roof in thin bedrock stope

The key problem to be solved urgently is how to avoid the occurrence of support break-off and water inrush in the stoping of sandstone straight roof under the action of load transfer in unconsolidated aquifer.For this reason,taking the thin bedrock 1602(3)working face of Huainan(the middle part of Anhui Province)Panyi Coal Mine as the engineering background,this study establishes the stope mining model by using the discrete element UDEC software and the mathematics mechanical model of the support load,and analyzes the reason of support crushing and decides to re-mining the working face by using the compulsive roof caving method.It is concluded that when the working face of sandstone straight roof is broken,the"voussoir beam"structure cannot be formed and acts on the support in the form of cantilever beam,but only when it falls to the high key stratum can the"voussoir beam"structure be formed and at this point,at this time,the bracket bears the weight of the rock layer in the range from the fractured sandstone layer to the lower critical layer.The working resistance of the support increases with the increase of the thickness and the breaking length of straight sandstone roof.When the breaking length of the roof reaches a certain extreme value,the support crushing accidents will occur.Managing roof with compulsive roof caving method can reduce the intensity of rock pressure in the stope,and the working face can be safely stoped,which provides a certain reference for similar conditions.

Characterization of event-related potentials in obsessive compulsive disorder patients: Comparison with depression and generalized anxiety disorder patients

BACKGROUND： Study results of event-refated potential in obsessive compulsive disorder （OCD） remain controversial, potentially as a result of different instruments utilized and their differing technical characteristics. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the differences in several common event-related potentials, Le. contingent negative variations, P300, and mismatch negativity （MMN）, in OCD patients, depression patients, generalized anxiety disorder （GAD） patients, and healthy controls. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A case-control study was performed in the Department of Electrophysiology, Shanghai Mental Health Center from May 2002 to December 2005. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 38 OCD patients, 20 depression patients, and 18 GAD patients, who were diagnosed according to the criteria of Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders （Version 3）, formulated by the Chinese Psychiatry Association, were selected from the Outpatient Department of Shanghai Mental Health Center. Patients with two or more the above diseases were excluded. In addition, 28 healthy people, gender and age matched, were selected as controls. METHODS： Contingent negative variations, P300, and MMN were recorded by a Nicolet Spirit Instrument. All electrodes were attached at Cz according to the Intemationa11020 system, with the mastoid leads as reference and Fpz as ground. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Amplitude and latency of contingent negative variations, P300, and MMN. RESULTS： The contingent negative variations, P300, and MMN were different （P 〈 0.01）. OCD patients showed an increased MI amplitude compared with controls, depression, and GAD patients （P 〈 0.01）. Target P300 amplitudes were significantly lower in OCD, depression, and GAD patients compared with controls （P 〈 0.01）. Moreover, N2 latency and latency of MMN were prolonged in OCD and depression groups compared with controls （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Event-related potentials were different in depression, GAD, and OCD patients and healthy controls. In particular, OCD patients exhibited unique characteristics.

Differential diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive symptoms from delusions in schizophrenia: A phenomenological approach

Several studies suggest increased prevalence-rates of obsessive-compulsive symptoms(OCS) and even of obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) in patients with schizophrenic disorders. Moreover, it has been recently proposed the existence of a distinct diagnostic subgroup of schizo-obsessive disorder. However, the further investigation of the OCS or OCD-schizophrenia diagnostic comorbidity presupposes the accurate clinical differential diagnosis of obsessions and compulsions from delusions and repetitive delusional behaviours, respectively. In turn, this could be facilitated by a careful comparative examination of the phenomenological features of typical obsessions/compulsions and delusions/repetitive delusional behaviours, respectively. Thiswas precisely the primary aim of the present investigation. Our examination included seven features of obsessions/delusions(source of origin and sense of ownership of the thought, conviction, consistency with one's belief-system, awareness of its inaccuracy, awareness of its symptomatic nature, resistance, and emotional impact) and five features of repetitive behaviours(aim of repetitive behaviours, awareness of their inappropriateness, awareness of their symptomatic nature, and their immediate effect on underlying thought, and their emotional impact). Several of these clinical features, if properly and empathically investigated, can help discriminate obsessions and compulsive rituals from delusions and delusional repetitive behaviours, respectively, in patients with schizophrenic disorders. We comment on the results of our examination as well as on those of another recent similar investigation. Moreover, we also address several still controversial issues, such as the nature of insight, the diagnostic status of poor insight in OCD, the conceptualization and differential diagnosis of compulsions from other categories of repetitive behaviours, as well as the diagnostic weight assigned to compulsions in contemporary psychiatric diagnostic systems. We stress the importance of the feature of mental reflexivity for understanding the nature of insight and the ambiguous diagnostic status of poor insight in OCD which may be either a marker of the chronicity of obsessions, or a marker of their delusionality. Furthermore, we criticize two major shortcomings of contemporary psychiatric diagnostic systems(DSM-IV, DSM-V, ICD-10) in their criteria or guidelines for the diagnosis of OCD or OCS: first, the diagnostic parity between obsessions and compulsions and, second, the inadequate conceptualization of compulsions. We argue that these shortcomings might artificially inflate the clinical prevalence of OC symptoms in the course of schizophrenic disorders. Still, contrary to a recent proposal, we do not exclude on purely a priori grounds the possibility of a concurrence of genuine obsessions along with delusions in patients with schizophrenia.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder co-occurring with psychosis: Systematic review of evidence

AIM To review available evidence on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT) for treating obsessive compulsive disorder co-occurring with psychosis.METHODS In this paper we present a detailed and comprehensive review of the current literature focusing on CBT treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) co-occurring with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. We identified relevant literature published between 2001 and May 2016 through MEDLINE/PubM ed search using as search string("obsessive compulsive disorders" or "obsessive compulsive symptoms") and("schizophrenia" or "schizoaffective disorder" or "psychosis") and("cognitive behavioural therapy"). Other citations of interest were further identified from references reported in the accessed articles. The search was limited to studies written in English and carried out in adult patients. A total of 9 studies, 8 case reports and 1 case series, were found.RESULTS The reviewed evidence indicates that CBT is:(1) safe, i.e., does not worsen psychotic symptoms;(2) well accepted, with a discontinuation rate quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis comorbidity;(3) effective, with a symptom reduction quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis and for SRIs treatment of OCD cooccurring with psychosis; and(4) effective in patients with OCD induced by second-generation antipsychotic as well as in patients with OCD not induced by secondgeneration antipsychotic. Alcohol/substance use disorder comorbidity and OCD onset preceding that of SCH/SA was predictors of poor outcome. These results are derived only by additional studies with adequate sample size.CONCLUSION Our results support the use of CBT for OCD in patients with psychosis.

A new traffic model on compulsive lane-changing caused by off-ramp

In the field of traffic flow studies, compulsive lane-changing refers to lane-changing （LC） behaviors due to traffic rules or bad road conditions, while free LC happens when drivers change lanes to drive on a faster or less crowded lane. LC studies based on differential equation models accurately reveal LC influence on traffic environment. This paper presents a second-order partial differential equation （PDE） model that simulates both compulsive LC behavior and free LC behavior, with lane-changing source terms in the continuity equation and a lane-changing viscosity term in the momentum equation. A specific form of this model focusing on a typical compulsive LC behavior, the ＇off-ramp problem＇, is derived. Numerical simulations are given in several cases, which are consistent with real traffic phenomenon.

Rapunzel syndrome is not just a mere surgical problem: A case report and review of current management

Recurrent Rapunzel syndrome(RRS) is a rare clinical presentation with fewer than six cases reported in the Pub Med literature. A report of RRS and literature review is presented. A 25-year-old female was admitted to hospital with a 4-wk history of epigastric pain and swelling. She had a known history of trichophagia with a previous admission for Rapunzel syndrome requiring a laparotomy nine years earlier, aged 16. Psychological treatment had been successfully achieved for nine years with outpatient hypnotherapy sessions only, but she defaulted on her last session due to stressors at home. The abdominal examination demonstrated an epigastric mass. Computer tomography scan revealed a large gastric bezoar and features of aspiration pneumonia. The patient underwent emergency open surgical laparotomy for removal as the bezoar could not be removed endoscopically. The bezoar was cast in a shape that mimicked the contours of the stomach and proximal small bowel, hence the diagnosis of RRS. The patient was seen by a psychiatrist and was commenced on Quetiapine before discharge. She continues to attend follow-up.

Psychic euosmia and obsessive compulsive personality disorder

Patients with obsessive compulsive personality disorder(OCPD) often refer to a prompt mood improvement upon encountering good scents in general, or fresh laundry borax on their clothes, pillows or home settings. The Authors propose the new term psychic euosmia in the mean of an overstated psychological predisposition for a real pleasant smell that elicits an immediate sense of pleasure, order and calm. The prompt reactions to a pleasant odor might be explained by the involvement of rhinencephalon and its proximity to mood-related limbic circuits, which bypass the cognitive awareness. Cleanliness may not preclude a subject to enjoy a good smell, even if we are representing smells that resemble freshness, in other words order. A potentially even more important argument is given by the continuum of personality disorders and their variability. Not all personality characteristics led to disturbed behaviors. In evolutionary perspectives having the ability to differentiate between unpleasant and pleasant odors should have made the difference in surviving. On the other hand, psychic euosmia could be considered a normal reaction, but in our clinical experience it is over-represented among OCPD subjects with marked orderliness and disgust. Therefore, detecting psychic euosmia might vicariously confirm the relevance of disgust as a cognitive driver of OCPD. Hereby we support research to characterize psychic euosmia as a feature of orderliness and cleanliness for OCPD.

A neuropsychological evaluation of orthorexia nervosa

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) describes a fixation for proper nutrition and healthy foods that leads to die-tary restrictions and nutritional deficiencies over time. Given symptom overlap among ON, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anorexia nervosa (AN), this study examines whether ON has a unique neuropsychological profile. Participants completed symptom checklists and neuropsychological tests chosen for their sensitivity to AN and OCD. Results showed that, across the full sample, ON is independently associated with self-reported weaknesses in Set-Shifting, Emotional Control, Self-Monitoring, and Working Memory. After controlling for AN and OCD variables, high- and low-ON groups differed in total correct trials on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. These areas of executive functioning, which are explained in the context of ON symptomatology, represent what would be considered the neuropsychological overlap among OCD and AN profiles.

Influence of Withania somnifera on obsessive compulsive disorder in mice

Objective:To study the influence of methanolic and aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (W.somnifera) root on the marble-burying behavior of mice a well-accepted model of obsessive compulsive behavior.Methods:Mice were divided in different groups(n=6).Fluoxetine(5,10,15 mg/kg), (10,25,50,100 mg/kg) and melhanolic extract W.somnifera(MEWS)(10,25,50,100 mg/kg) were administered i.p.30 min.prior to the assessment of marble burying behavior and locomotor activity.The control group received vehicle of the extract.Results:Administration of aqueous extracts W.somnifera(AEWS) and MEWS(50 mg/kg) successively decreaesed the marble burying behavior activity without affecting motor activity.This effect of AEWS and MEWS was comparable to standard fluoxetine,ritanserin and parachlorophenylalanine.Conclusions:W.somnifera extract is effective in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.

Validation of Symptom Dimensions and Sub-Type Responses in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinically heterogeneous condition without a conclusivesubtype dimension. This study will focus on the meta-analysis of the clinical responses of OCD subtypes to cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT), which might clarify this issue. Methods: We performed a systematic search and ameta-analysis for the studies of OCD subtypes and the response to CBT in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Webof Science, and Scopus databases. The selective criteria were the OCD without significant medical or psychiatricco-morbidities and pre-and post-treatment changes in scores of OCD dimension. In addition, different subtypesof OCD in symptom dimensions, such as symmetry, contamination, unacceptable thoughts, and hoarding, werecompared to find the most significant subtype using the treatment response parameters by CBT. After limitedselection, four studies and 479 OCD subjects were enrolled. The meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager5.4, and only significant results were reported. Results: Among the OCD subtypes, the meta-analysis favors thehoarding subtype with poorer responses to CBT than symmetry, contamination, and unacceptable thoughts.The meta-analysis results were negative mean differences, significant tests for overall effect, and limited heterogeneitiesin the random effects model. In addition, the results were more significant when the hoarding subtypewas compared with non-hoarding subtypes. Conclusion: The hoarding subtype might be the most significantrepresentative subtype of OCD symptom dimension under the impression of unfavorable clinical response toCBT. However, future studies with more treatment parameters will be warranted to confirm this finding.

Review of source-monitoring processes in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)is a severe mental illness characterized by persistent,intrusive and distressing obsessions and/or compulsions.Such symptoms have been conceptualized as resulting from a failure in sourcemonitoring processes,suggesting that patients with OCD fail to distinguish actions they perform from those they just imagine doing.In this study,we aimed to provide an updated and exhaustive review of the literature examining the relationship between source-monitoring and OCD.A systematic search in the literature through January 2019 allowed us to identify 13 relevant publications investigating source-monitoring abilities in patients with OCD or participants with subclinical compulsive symptoms.Most of the retrieved studies did not report any source-monitoring deficits in clinical and subclinical subjects compared with healthy volunteers.However,most of the studies reported that patients with OCD and subclinical subjects displayed reduced confidence in source-monitoring judgments or global cognitive confidence compared to controls.The present review highlighted some methodological and statistical limitations.Consequently,further studies are needed to explore source monitoring with regard to the subcategories of OCD symptoms(i.e.,symmetryordering,contamination-washing,hoarding,aggressive obsession-checking,sexual-religious thoughts)and to clarify the relationship between sourcemonitoring subtypes(i.e.,reality or internal source-monitoring)and confidence in these populations.

Impaired Executive Function in Everyday Life: A Predictor of OCD Relapse?

Objectives: In the present study, we set out to establish whether executive function in everyday life is impaired in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients, and if it is more impaired (or not) in patients who relapsed after cognitive behavioural therapy than in treatment-na?ve obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Method: The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function— Adult Version (BRIEF-A) was used to measure executive function in everyday life in three groups of 19 participants: treatment-na?ve obsessive-compulsive disorderpatients, obsessive-compulsive disorder patients having relapsed after CBT, and healthy controls. Results: The BRIEF-A results revealed an impairment in executive function in the treatment-na?ve and relapsed obsessive-compulsive disorder groups, relative to the healthy control group. There was no significant difference in executive function between the two groups of patients. Conclusions: These results show that impaired executive function is not associated with relapse in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder having undergone cognitive behavioural therapy.

Intrusive Thoughts and Executive Functions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Objectives: Our aim was to compare the effects of an unwanted intrusive thought on executive function in a group of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and in a healthy group. Method: The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Adult (BRIEF-A) was used to measure executive dysfunction in everyday life in people with OCD. The study participants underwent either an intrusive thought induction or neutral thought induction prior to the administration of three computer-based tests of executive function. Results: The BRIEF-A results confirmed the impairment of executive function in everyday life for patients with OCD. In the number-letter task, patients with OCD displayed a longer reaction time (relative to the controls). There were no intergroup differences in the local-global task. In the go/no-go task, there was a significant impairment (p = 0.03) in the OCD group (with more commission errors than controls). There was a non-significant trend towards an effect of thought induction in both groups in the number-letter task. However, intrusive thought induction did not have a greater effect than neutral thought induction on the OCD group in any of the tasks. Conclusions: Intrusive thought induction has no effect on executive function in the two groups. The two groups differed with regard to two executive tasks.

Does food addiction distinguish a specific subgroup of overweight/obese overeating women?

Neurophysiological and behavioral similarities have been evidenced between excessive food consumption leading to obesity and addiction to other substances. In accordance, food addiction was defined following the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for substance dependence. The aim of this pilot study was to identify a subgroup of women suffering from food addiction (n = 11), and to compare them to women suffering from substance-use disorder (n = 23), and to women seeking treatment for compulsive overeating but free from food addiction (n = 12) on addiction-related characteristics (reward sensitivity, impulsivity, personality traits, depression, emotion dysregulation). We hypothesized that women with food addiction would be similar to women with substance-use disorders, and different from women with compulsive overeating without food addiction. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing food addiction and other variables related to addiction. Almost half (47.8%) of women with compulsive overeating fulfilled the criteria for food addiction. Although food addiction does not account for every case of compulsive overeating, it characterizes a specific subgroup of overweight/obese women who show more severe overeating. Women with food addiction seem to be more similar to women suffering from substance-use disorders than to other women with overeating difficulties, particularly regarding impulsivity and self-directedness.

Broader Role for Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia—A Malaysian Case Series

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia have been considered to be variants of the same disorder. At the advent of psychiatry, there was a distinction between neurotic, mood disorders and psychotic disorders. As perceptions and thoughts evolve in this dynamic field, there has been a paradigm shift in the way these disorders are being perceived. Of particular interest is that concerning OCD and schizophrenia. In a much anticipated and very welcomed move, DSM V has now included delusional beliefs as a specifier of OCD. However the much spoken about schizo- obsessive syndrome is yet to be explored and addressed. Recurrent and intrusive thoughts, impulses and images are key experiences seen in OCD. How we differentiate these vivid images from visual hallucination is a question yet to be answered. The following case series is an example of how difficult the boundaries between severe OCD and schizophrenia can be, and the promising usage of atypical antipsychotic in controlling obsessive compulsive symptoms. Whether untreated OCD is a significant prodromal symptom of schizophrenia, a subtype of schizophrenia or an initial indicator of various syndromes, remains to be seen, depending on environmental effects on the neuroplasticity of the mind and brain. The cases discussed will highlight the role of antipsychotics in patients diagnosed as having OCD, and gives strength to the idea that perhaps antipsychotics should be used more liberally in the treatment of OCD in schizophrenia. Here, we present a case series to show the use of atypical antipsychotics as monotherapy or augmenter in quelling obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients who fulfilled the DSM V criteria for both schizophrenia and OCD. The efficacy of antipsychotics in reducing OCD symptoms in psychotic patients, as shown in this case series, contributes to the body of evidence that OCD and schizophrenia are really spectrum disorders with a common denominator. It is hoped that this exciting finding will lead to a paradigm shift in the usage of antipsychotics in OCD and eventually change how this disease is viewed and treated.