Language Processing Differences in Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors. Beyond its well-documented emotional and executive dysfunctions, emerging evidence highlights distinct language processing abnormalities, including difficulties in resolving ambiguity, hyper-literal interpretations, and heightened sensitivity to threatening language. Recent advances in systematic review methodology and computational linguistics reveal gaps in earlier narrative reviews, particularly regarding methodological transparency, heterogeneity across OCD subtypes, and integration of objective linguistic biomarkers. This article synthesizes evidence linking neurotransmitter dysregulation (serotonin, dopamine, glutamate) and frontostriatal circuit abnormalities to language deficits in OCD, while emphasizing the need for rigorous methodologies, computational tools, and stratification by symptom dimensions. Preliminary findings suggest that language deficits may serve as endophenotypes, paving the way for personalized interventions.