Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) And Related Disorders In Children And Adolescents

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in childhood and adolescence is an impairing condition, associated with a specific set of distressing symptoms incorporating repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and distressing, time-consuming rituals (compulsions). This review considers current knowledge of causes and mechanisms underlying OCD, as well as assessment and treatment. Issues relating to differential diagnosis are summarised, including the challenges of distinguishing OCD from autism spectrum disorders and tic disorders in youth. The recommended treatments, namely cognitive behaviour therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibiting/selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications, are outlined along with the existing evidence-based and factors associated with treatment resistance. Finally, novel clinical developments that are emerging in the field and future directions for research are discussed. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric illness that occurs across the entire life span. Although most research on OCD pertains to adults, studies of the disorder in children and adolescents have burgeoned over the last decade. A review of this literature suggests that OCD has a bimodal incidence pattern, with one peak of onset at approximately ۱۰ years of age and another during adulthood, and that the juvenile and adult forms are equally prevalent.

کلیدواژه ها:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ، Child Psychology ، Psychology ، Outcomes research