JUVENILE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Objective: To describe the characteristics of a series of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and evaluate the outcome of treatment. Method: Type of symptoms, severity before and a fter treatment and factors associated with outcome were examined in a large group (n=82) of consecutive OCD cases referred for treatment. Re sults: Most children (95%) had both obsessions and compulsions. Sympto ms had been present for 2 years on average. Seventy-one per cent (n=57 ) of all eligible patients completed a combined behavioural and pharma cological protocol. Among these, there was a 68% remission rate and a 60% decrease of symptoms at 4 weeks. Comorbidity with oppositional def iant disorder and high aggression scores were associated with poor out come. Conclusions: Juvenile OCD can be treated effectively in a standa rd clinical setting. Treatment programs of the kind described are acce pted by young people. It remains to be seen whether in this age group a combined treatment produces better results than medication alone or cognitive-behaviour therapy alone.