GENERALIZED AND SPECIFIC EMOTION IMPAIRMENTS AS POTENTIAL MARKERS OF SEVERITY IN OBSESSIVECOMPULSIVE DISORDER: A PRELIMINARY STUDY USING FACIAL ACTION CODING SYSTEM (FACS)
Background: The role of emotional deficits in the poor outcomes of patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has
been emphasized. Generalized and specific emotional abnormalities have been reported, often related to OCD severity and
functional disabilities. The objective of the present study was to assess the abilities of experiencing and displaying emotions in OCD
patients in response to specific stimuli in relation with the severity of their clinical condition.
Subjects and methods: Thirty-six individuals participated in the study: 10 OCD patients with severe symptoms, 11 with mildmoderate
symptoms, and 15 healthy controls. All participants watched emotion-eliciting video clips while their facial activity was
videotaped. The congruent/incongruent feeling of emotions and the facial expression in reaction to emotions were evaluated.
Results: The two subgroups of OCD patients presented similarly incongruent emotive feelings and facial expressions
(significantly worse than healthy participants). Moreover, OCD patients with severe symptoms expressed the emotion of happiness
and disgust significantly less appropriately than OCD patients with mild-moderate symptoms.
Conclusions: The present data support the hypothesis that impaired emotional processing may: (i) represent a potential
contributor to poor outcome in OCD; (ii) constitute a warning sign for clinicians to establish a more comprehensive protocol for
more severe cases; (iii) influence therapeutic strategies used to treat this disorder
