Perturbação Obsessivo-Compulsiva e Suicídio

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions, such as intrusive, unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts and images, and compulsively repeated behaviors or rituals and suicide is the leading cause of death in patients with mental illness. Initially, it was thought that the risk of suicide in patients with OCD was reduced, however, the latest studies show an increased risk, especially if there are comorbidities METHODS: The search for bibliographic information was carried out on the SCOPUS platform with the combination: [obsessive compulsive disorder AND suicide]. RESULTS: There are several risk factors that explain the increase in suicide in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, such as male gender, low level of education, severity of the disease, presence of comorbidities (Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder) or previous suicide attempts. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for research of risk factors in routine clinical practice and adequate and personalized monitoring of each patient so that it is possible to decrease the number of suicides in this patient population.