**Question:** Drug of choice for obsessive-compulsive disorder is: March, 2005, September 2009

**Core Concept:** Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to specific rules. These behaviors or mental acts provide temporary relief from distress associated with obsessions.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer refers to the era when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) gained prominence as first-line treatment for OCD. In March 2005, fluvoxamine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of OCD. In September 2009, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommended SSRIs, including fluvoxamine, as the first-line pharmacological treatment for OCD due to their efficacy, safety, and limited side-effect profile.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. This option refers to a year (March 2005) rather than a specific drug or class of drugs for OCD treatment.
B. This option is too general and does not specify a particular drug or class of drugs for OCD treatment.
C. This option also refers to a year (September 2009) rather than a specific drug or class of drugs for OCD treatment.
D. This option is too general and does not specify a particular drug or class of drugs for OCD treatment.

**Correct Answer:**

**Clinical Pearls:**

SSRIs, including fluvoxamine, are considered first-line pharmacological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder due to their efficacy, safety, and limited side-effect profile. The correct answer (D) refers to the year 2009 when the American Psychiatric Association recommended SSRIs, such as fluvoxamine, for the treatment of OCD.