Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that in mammals has important functions on different reproductive stages and socialization behaviors. In humans, its importance has been recognized in processes of social regulation such as social memory, affiliation, mentality and empathy. The objective of this work is to perform an updated review of the evidence about the role of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders. A bibliographic search was carried out on this topic through the Medline / PubMed and SciELO databases. The results show evidence on the possible etiopathogenic role of oxytocin in different clinical conditions. In addition, research has sought answers in this hormone to understand the different symptomatic profiles, such as emotional regulation, the recognition of emotions, the capacity for mentalization and the response to stress, which could operate as targets for possible therapeutic uses of oxytocin. Although the data are still incipient and inconclusive, oxytocin has been positioned as an important focus of neurobiological and therapeutic study in psychiatry for future research.