Long-term course of obsessive-compulsive disorder treated in adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term course of obsessive-compulsive disorder treated in adolescence.


METHODS
Fifteen young adults treated for the disorder in adolescence, mainly through not only by behavior therapy and family therapy, were followed up between 9 and 14 years later.


RESULTS
Data were collected on 14 of the cases (93%, N = 15) from various sources including interview in person in 6 cases. Of the 14 cases, 6 were found to satisfy DSM-III-R criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder at long-term follow-up, while 8 were not. These recovered participants were not currently taking medication, and long-lasting recovery was associated with good social adjustment. Chronic course was not attributable to lack of subsequent treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The recovery rate of 57% (N = 14) is similar to those found in other recent studies of outcome following vigorous treatment in adolescence. The findings are over the longest follow-up period so far reported for obsessive-compulsive disorder treated in adolescence. Positive response to treatment in adolescence can be followed by relapse after longer periods than have usually been studied.
Bolton
D
D
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, U.K.
Luckie
M
M
Steinberg
D
D
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome