Obsessive-compulsive or addiction? Categorical diagnostic analysis of excoriation disorder compared to obsessive-compulsive disorder and gambling disorder

Abstract

Excoriation disorder (ED) is currently classified in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' Obsessive compulsive and Related Disorders section (OCRD). However, there remain debates regarding whether ED is related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or whether it is better conceptualized as a behavioral addiction. The present research compared the diagnostic overlap and psychiatric comorbidities of 121 individuals seeking treatment for ED (n = 40), OCD (n = 41) and gambling disorder (GD) (n = 40). ED was more likely to overlap with OCD (n = 14) than GD (n = 3). Compared to OCD, ED had similar frequencies of other body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), but higher frequency of addictive behaviors (Odds Ratio OR = 11.82). In comparison to GD, ED had similar frequencies of addictive behaviors, but higher frequency of BFRBs (OR =19.67). The results support the recent classification of ED as an OCRD. However, ED presents an association with behavioral addictions that suggests a mixed impulsive-compulsive nature. A limitation of the present research was the use of a non-validated semi-structured clinical interview to diagnose impulse control disorders. Future research should examine other characteristics (e.g., epidemiology, neurobiology, genetics, treatment response) to further investigate whether ED should remain classified as an OCRD.