TRANSTORNO OBSESSIVO COMPULSIVO E COVID-19

IMPACTOS DA PANDEMIA NA INTENSIFICAÇÃO DOS SINTOMAS

Abstract

The main theme of this study is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the worsening of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, especially in relation to compulsive cleaning, avoidance, and checking behaviors. The research has the following research question as its research problem: what are the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intensification of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms? Its general objective is to analyze the effects of the pandemic on the manifestation and worsening of OCD symptoms, and the specific objectives include: identifying the most affected symptoms, investigating the role of health measures in the intensification of these symptoms, and presenting therapeutic coping strategies in the post-pandemic context. To this end, a qualitative, exploratory methodology was adopted, based on a bibliographic review of scientific articles published in databases such as Scielo, PubMed and CAPES Periodicals, in addition to manuals such as the DSM-V and documents from the WHO and the Ministry of Health. The results of the theoretical analysis indicate that the pandemic contributed to the worsening of OCD symptoms in individuals already diagnosed, as well as to the emergence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in people with no previous history, due to the fear of contamination and changes in social hygiene standards. It is concluded that the pandemic scenario socially validated certain compulsive rituals, requiring a more attentive clinical look at therapeutic interventions, especially with regard to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and the combined use of pharmacotherapy.