This research aimed to study the phenomenological pattern of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In a cross-sectional study, 255 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder were selected by Convenience sampling and were evaluated by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale in terms of symptoms and severity of OCD. Obsessions of contamination, aggressive, compulsions of washing/cleaning and checking had the highest percentage of frequency, and Obsessions of hoarding, sexual and compulsions of counting and hoarding had the lowest percentage of frequency among the thirteen groups of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Single patients had religious obsession and repetition compulsion more than married patients. Concerns with the dirt and germs and excessive or ritualized hand washing were the most prevalent obsessive-compulsive symptom. Also, some differences were observed between the male and female patients. The obtained results showed that the phenomenological pattern of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms observed in this sample of the Iranian patients with OCD had some similarities and differences with the phenomenological pattern observed in other studies and societies.

Keywords: phenomenological pattern, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale