Guilt in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and depression

Abstract

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common clinical condition experienced by about 1.2% of the population and with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 2.3%. OCD has serious impact on patients’ overall quality of life, weighing heavily also on the quality of life of the co-habiting family. Guilt has long been identified as a fundamental moral emotion, with a clear influence in driving moral behavior; individuals tend to avoid wrong doings against others to circumvent unpleasant feelings of guilt. Guilt is advantageous as it regulates opportunistic behaviors such as those that maintain social relationships. Conclusion: A crucial role in OCD onset and maintenance has been attributed to responsibility and guilt. Although some studies have found that guilt may precede, motivate, or be a consequence of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), the relationship between guilt and OCD has been under investigated. Studying the effect of guilt feeling on OCD symptoms will help implementing specific management programs.