The relationship Between Perfectionism and Anxiety with Sensory Phenomena in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Lahijan City, Iran

Sensory phenomena (SP) are a physical, unpleasant sensations and anxiety that are seen in most patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and anxiety with SP in patients with OCD.

This was a cross-sectional, analytical, correlational study. Among all patients with OCD who referred to psychiatric clinics in Lahijan, Iran in 2018, a sample of 106 people was selected through the purposive sampling method. In order to collect data, the University of São Paulo's Sensory Phenomena Scale (USP-SPS), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) were employed. The collected data were then analyzed using the logistic regression model and Spearman correlation coefficient in SPSS software.

At least one case of SP was reported in all patients with OCD. However, there was no significant relationship between SP and gender. The results of the logistic regression model showed that perfectionism, anxiety, and OCD have a positive and significant relationship with the presence and severity of SP, however the increase in SP intensity did not promote this effect (P < 0.01).

The present results support the importance of perfectionism and anxiety in relation to the presence and severity of SP. Therefore, in order to treat SP in patients with OCD, it seems that the role of perfectionism and anxiety should be considered.