Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders in Individuals with Dissociative Disorders.

The spectrum of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is briefly presented. The phenomenological and neurophysiological overlap of these conditions with dissociation is described. Three case reports are used to illustrate these overlaps. All three cases have histories of early childhood trauma, dissociative symptoms and features of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders that have proven to be treatment resistant with previous cognitive/behavioural and pharmacological interventions. The three cases illustrate that, in at least some individuals with dissociative disorders, a psychodynamic understanding of their Obsessive Compulsive symptoms is an important part of their successful treatment.