Obsessions and compulsions in Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism

TY - JOUR

T1 - Obsessions and compulsions in Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism

AU - Russell, A J

AU - Mataix-Cols, D

AU - Anson, M

AU - Murphy, D G M

PY - 2005/6

Y1 - 2005/6

N2 - Background Obsessive-compulsive behaviours are common and disabling in autistic-spectrum disorders (ASD) but little is known about how they compare with those experienced by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Aim To make such a comparison Method A group of adults with high-functioning ASD (n=40) were administered theYale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Symptom Checklist and their symptoms compared with a gender-matched group of adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD (n=45). OCD symptoms were carefully distinguished from stereotypic behaviours and interests usually displayed by those with ASD. Results The two groups had similar frequencies of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, with only somatic obsessions and repeating rituals being more common in the OCD group. The OCD group had higher obsessive-compulsive symptom severity ratings but up to 50% of the ASD group reported at least moderate levels of interference from their symptoms. Conclusions Obsessions and compulsions are both common in adults with high-functioning ASD and are associated with significant levels of distress

AB - Background Obsessive-compulsive behaviours are common and disabling in autistic-spectrum disorders (ASD) but little is known about how they compare with those experienced by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Aim To make such a comparison Method A group of adults with high-functioning ASD (n=40) were administered theYale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Symptom Checklist and their symptoms compared with a gender-matched group of adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD (n=45). OCD symptoms were carefully distinguished from stereotypic behaviours and interests usually displayed by those with ASD. Results The two groups had similar frequencies of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, with only somatic obsessions and repeating rituals being more common in the OCD group. The OCD group had higher obsessive-compulsive symptom severity ratings but up to 50% of the ASD group reported at least moderate levels of interference from their symptoms. Conclusions Obsessions and compulsions are both common in adults with high-functioning ASD and are associated with significant levels of distress

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.186.6.525

DO - 10.1192/bjp.186.6.525

M3 - Article

SN - 1472-1465

VL - 186

SP - 525

EP - 528

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

IS - JUNE

ER -