Research suggests OCD evident in childhood
05 August 2010
A study published in this month’s British Journal of Psychiatry confirms that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often starts in childhood/ adolescence and can be a chronic illness that continues into adulthood. Researchers stress, however, that recognising early signs and providing treatment might stop the illness continuing into adulthood.
This is the largest follow-up study of children and adolescents with OCD in which 142 young people and parents participated. The researchers followed up all children and adolescents five years after they were initially assessed.
About 40% of participants had a diagnosis of OCD at follow-up and 40% also had another psychiatric disorder at follow-up. About half of the participants had used mental health services during the follow-up period, and half of the parents/ young adults said that they felt the need for more treatment for their OCD. Quality of life and social well-being (work/ study, leisure and relationships) were however only moderately affected by the illness.
Dr Nadia Micali who led the team of researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), King’s College London, said: 'An important challenge for mental health services and professionals is ensuring adequate treatment and a smooth transition from child to adult services.'
OCD affects up to 4% of children/ adolescents. Despite there being good treatment options for OCD there have been few studies looking at how children and adolescents who developed OCD fare in young adulthood.
‘Long-term outcomes of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a follow-up of 142 children and adolescents’ was published in this month’s British Journal of Psychiatry, to read the paper in full, please follow the link.