SUMMARY OF THE PRACTICE PARAMETERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

This summary provides an overview of the assessment, differential diag nosis, and treatment recommendations contained in the Practice Paramet ers for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. OCD is a disorder of heterogeneous orig in characterized by intrusive thoughts or compulsive urges or behavior s that are distressing, time-consuming, or functionally impairing. In children and adolescents, the disorder often is accompanied by a wide range of comorbidity. Two modalities have been systematically assessed and empirically shown to ameliorate the core symptoms of OCD: cogniti ve-behavioral therapy (primarily exposure/response prevention) and ser otonin reuptake inhibitor medication. Additional individual and family psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and educational interventions oft en are necessary.