Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in agoraphobia: changes with treatment.

Ten patients suffering from agoraphobia with panic attacks reported significantly more obsessive-compulsive symptoms on the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and Marks' Compulsion Checklist than healthy control subjects matched to the patients on sociodemographic variables. Behavioral treatment directed toward agoraphobia was associated with significant improvement in obsessive-compulsive complaints. On retesting, there were no significant differences in such symptoms between patients and controls. The results should alert the physician to inquire about the presence of agoraphobia in patients complaining of obsessive-compulsive disturbances.