OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition with a 2% lifetime prevalence in child and adolescent populations. OCD can le ad to severe impairment in family, academic, and social functioning, a s well as place the individual at risk for development of secondary me ntal disorders. Patients with OCD show remarkable similarities in clin ical presentation, and have distinct profiles on cognitive, behavioral , and psychological measures. Advances in behavioral interventions and psychopharmacology have provided effective treatments for OCD. A revi ew of the literature is presented, with special emphasis on clinical p resentation, evaluation, and treatment options. Research findings and proposed etiological mechanisms are also discussed.