Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that usually
manifests itself in the second or third decade of the life. Onset of OCD
after age 70 has been rarely reported in the literature. Late-onset OCD
is generally associated with an underlying cerebrovascular disease.
The current consensus regarding choice of treatment(s) for idiopathic
OCD includes cognitive behavioral therapy and serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. However, the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy
or medications in cases with obsessive-compulsive symptoms due to
general medical conditions has remained unclear. In this paper, an
elderly patient who had late-onset obsessions and compulsions
following chronic cerebral ischemia is presented with special
emphasize made on specific issues about late-onset OCD cases and
the application of standard therapeutic methods to these patients.

Key words: obsessive-compulsive disorder, late-onset, cerebrovascular disease, behavioral therapy, serotonin reuptake inhibitors