[Long-term course of childhood or adolescence onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: psychosocial adaptation in adulthood].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term course of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with onset in childhood or adolescence. This presentation focuses on the social adjustment of the former patients in adulthood.


METHODS
Fifty-five out of 116 patients with childhood OCD classified according to DSM-IV criteria were interviewed personally using structured interviews. Mean age at onset of OCD was 12.5 years, and mean follow-up time was 11.2 years.


RESULTS
Despite the evident burden of mental disorder at the time of the follow-up, 76% led their own lives without being overly dependent upon their parents. 84% had no problems that impaired either school or their occupation. 73% were rated as maintaining satisfying social contacts, but only 54% were in a relationship at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
In agreement with other studies we found an association between the level of psychosocial adjustment and the course of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Summing up, social adjustment and psychosexual functioning seem to be more impaired than occupational functioning. The relatively good adjustment of our sample indicates that most patients have found a way of managing their lives, albeit still suffering from mental disorders.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotheraphie der Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg.
T
T
Jans
C
C
Wewetzer
B
B
Müller
A
A
Neudörfl
U
U
Bücherl
A
A
Warnke
B
B
Herpertz-Dahlmann
H
H
Remschmidt
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors