Obsessive Disorder

Sue, Sue and Sue (1994) define Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as behavior characterized by obsessions (intrusive, repetitive thoughts or images that produce anxiety) or compulsions (the need to perform acts or thoughts to reduce the anxiety). According to the authors, obsessions and compulsions can and often do occur together.

In the review of literature presented here, the literature on OCD in children and adolescents is described and discussed. The presented review emphasizes three areas of the existing research. These are: (1) identification of OCD symptoms in children and adolescents; (2) the role of the family in intervention; and (3) available treatments.

According to Kauffman (1993), OCD in children and adolescents is under-researched, partially because of complications identifying symptoms. In this regard, Kauffman reports that identification is difficult because the obsessive-compulsive and ritualistic behavior of children associated with OCD is complicated by its close relationship to phobic behavior as well as to the excessive self-stimulation and fantasy characteristic of the profoundly disturbed (psychotic) child.

Complications involving the identification of OCD in children and adolescents is serious because, as noted by King, Ollendick, and Montgomery (1995), the degree of success in treatment is often dependent upon its e

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teacher forms of the SSRS. The scores of the OCD group on select SSRS scales were compared to the scores of a standardization group. The domain of peer acceptance/popularity was assessed using the Loneliness Scale, an instrument that provides self-ratings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction. The results of the study indicated that both parents and teachers rated adolescents with OCD as less socially skilled and as having more problem behaviors than their peers. The results further suggested that students' ratings of social skills and teachers' ratings of problem behaviors predicted loneliness. Role of the Family in Intervention March (1995) presented a comprehensive review of the literature on cognitive-behavioral intervention for children and adolescents with OCD. He noted that despite a good deal of variability in both procedures and treatment philosophy, most every study showed some benefit for this type of intervention. However, those that were maximally successful included adjunct therapeutic efforts, especially that of family therapy. The role of the family in facilitating or debilitating treatment can be seen in an evaluation of an outpatient behavioral treatment of child and adolescent OCD conducted by Pia
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Approximate Word count = 2517
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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