title: The relationship between impulse-control disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a current understanding and future research directions.
abstract: Impulse-control disorders (ICDs) constitute a heterogeneous group of conditions linked diagnostically by difficulties in resisting "the impulse, drive, or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or to others." Specific ICDs share clinical, phenomenological and biological features with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that have suggested that these disorders might be categorized together. However, other data suggest significant differences between OCD and ICDs. In this article, clinical, phenomenological and biological features of the formal ICDs are reviewed and compared and contrasted with those of OCD. Available data indicate substantial differences between ICDs and OCD that suggest independent categorizations. Existing research gaps are identified and avenues for future research suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Room S-104, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
authors.forename: Marc Nicholas
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Lorrin Michael
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Koran
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pallanti
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index