Comparing the Recognition of Emotional Facial Expressions in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive and Major Depression

Recognition of emotional facial expressions is one of the psychological factors which involve in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of present study was to compare the ability of recognizing emotional facial expressions in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and major depressive disorder. The present study is a cross-sectional and ex-post facto investigation (causal-comparative method). Forty participants (20 patients with OCD, 20 patients with MDD) were selected through available sampling method from the clients referred to Tabriz Bozorgmehr clinic. Data were collected through Structured Clinical Interview and Recognition of Emotional Facial States test. The data were analyzed utilizing MANOVA. The obtained results showed that there is no significant difference between groups in the mean score of recognition emotional states of surprise, sadness, happiness and fear; but groups had a significant difference in the mean score of diagnosing disgust and anger states (p<0.05). Patients suffering from both OCD and MDD show equal ability to recognize surprise, sadness, happiness and fear. However, the former are less competent in recognizing disgust and anger than the latter.