Obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: phenomenology and family history

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Vol. 29; no. 5; p. 766
• Main Authors: Riddle, M A, Scahill, L, King, R, Hardin, M T, Towbin, K E, Ort, S I, Leckman, J F, Cohen, D J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1990
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Child of Impaired Parents - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - diagnosis; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - genetics; Personality Development; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 0890-8567
• DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199009000-00015

Phenomenology and family history in 21 clinically referred children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder are described. Each child and family participated in a standard clinical psychiatric assessment. The most frequently reported symptoms were repeating rituals, washing, ordering and arranging, checking, and contamination concerns. Controlling behaviors involving other family members were seen in 57% of the patients. Associated psychopathology was common: 38% received an anxiety disorder diagnosis; 29% received a mood disorder diagnosis; tics were observed in 24%. Fifteen (71%) of the children had a parent with either obsessive compulsive disorder (N = 4) or obsessive-compulsive symptoms (N = 11). The clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.