Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders: effective treatment with paroxetine.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether, like pure obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders are treatable with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).


METHODS
Case histories of patients prescribed paroxetine for compulsive collecting, skin-picking, and trichotillomania were reviewed.


RESULTS
All patients were successfully treated with paroxetine.


CONCLUSIONS
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders may share a serotonin-related dysfunction, and SSRIs may prove effective in their treatment.
Ravindran
A V
AV
Department of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario.
Lapierre
Y D
YD
Anisman
H
H
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors