Subjective, Not Objective, Impulsivity Is Characteristic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Compulsivity is a hallmark of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Whereas compulsive acts are performed to prevent negative consequences, impulsive acts are performed regardless of consequences. Given the similarities between compulsivity and impulsivity, the present researchers examined self-reported and objectively measured impulsivity in a cross-sectional sample of 17 patients with OCD and 17 age-, sex-, education-, and IQ-matched controls.

All participants completed general psychiatric assessments, a self-report measure of impulsivity, and three neurocognitive impulsivity tasks (motor impulsivity, decision making under uncertainty, and reflection impulsivity). OCD patients self-reported higher attentional impulsivity and total impulsivi…