title: Obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: phenomenology and family history.
abstract: Phenomenology and family history in 21 clinically referred children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder are described. Each child and family participated in a standard clinical psychiatric assessment. The most frequently reported symptoms were repeating rituals, washing, ordering and arranging, checking, and contamination concerns. Controlling behaviors involving other family members were seen in 57% of the patients. Associated psychopathology was common: 38% received an anxiety disorder diagnosis; 29% received a mood disorder diagnosis; tics were observed in 24%. Fifteen (71%) of the children had a parent with either obsessive compulsive disorder (N = 4) or obsessive-compulsive symptoms (N = 11). The clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510-8009.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scahill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hardin
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Towbin
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ort
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Leckman
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors