Abstract

COUTO, Maria Beatriz  and  MORGADO, Pedro. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Religion: A Systematic Review. Port J Public Health [online]. 2017, vol.35, n.2, pp.77-83. ISSN 2504-3137.  https://doi.org/10.1159/000479754.

Introduction: The relation between obsessive-compulsive disorder and religion has been studied both in obsessive- compulsive disorder with religious themes and in other forms of expression of the disease. This study aims to examine how religious beliefs can influence the obsessions and compulsions of each patient, and vice versa. Methods: A survey was performed on PubMed followed by the application of various criteria according to the PRISMA rules for a systematic review. Fourteen articles were selected. The articles were interpreted and related. Results: We found a close relation between religion and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, there are a few studies that do not confirm this association. The relation between religion and obsessive-compulsive disorder can be conceptualized as a cause or as a consequence. It was confirmed that different kinds of beliefs have different effects on the human mind and human thoughts and, by this means, they influence the clinical presentation of the disease. Discussion: The obsessive-compulsive disorder is strongly influenced by the patient's religious beliefs. Further investigations may help clarify this interaction in order to better understand and treat the patients with high levels of religiousness.

Keywords : Religion; Obsessive behavior; Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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