Obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: phenomenology and family history.
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.
Riddle
M A
MA
Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510-8009.
Scahill
L
L
King
R
R
Hardin
M T
MT
Towbin
K E
KE
Ort
S I
SI
Leckman
J F
JF
Cohen
D J
DJ
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