Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

McKenzie Schuyler; Daniel A Geller

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2022.10.002

Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2023 Mar;46(1):89-106. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2022.10.002. Epub 2022 Dec 26.

Authors

McKenzie Schuyler¹, Daniel A Geller²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: dan.geller@mgh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 36740357
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2022.10.002

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently affects children and adolescents, with most cases beginning during this time. Symptoms of OCD in youth may present as exaggerated developmental concerns and excessive ritualistic behavior beyond what is part of normal development, yet low levels of insight may prevent recognition. Affected youth commonly have comorbid neurodevelopmental diagnoses, especially males. Early detection and intervention are critical to recovery and remission, as well as family involvement in treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line treatments.

Keywords: Child and adolescent; Development; Obsessive–compulsive disorder; Pediatric; Psychopathology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
Combined Modality Therapy
Comorbidity
Humans
Male
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / diagnosis
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / therapy
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors