Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Pediatrics

Did you know that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1 in 200 children, with symptoms often emerging between the ages of 7 and 12? As pediatricians, you're likely the first to encounter these patients, making early recognition and intervention critical for achieving optimal outcomes. In this episode, we’ll provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to accurately diagnose and effectively manage OCD, laying the foundation for better long-term care.

Dr. Theresa Fiagbe, a second-year Child Psychiatry Fellow, Dr. Dale Peeples, Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Alisha Patel, Medical Student at the Medical College of Georgia, join forces to unpack the complexities of OCD in children and adolescents.

Tune in as we:

• Explore key diagnostic criteria and the most effective screening tools for identifying OCD in pediatric patients
• Discuss evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and SSRIs, and how to incorporate them into your practice
• Review common comorbid conditions, like anxiety and PANDAS, that can complicate diagnosis and treatment
• Examine the impact of OCD on school performance, social interactions, and family life
• Share practical guidance on managing long-term care to prevent relapse and ensure successful outcomes

Whether you're encountering OCD symptoms in a patient for the first time or seeking to enhance your expertise, this episode will equip you with the essential tools to improve diagnosis and treatment. Special thanks to Dr. Yang for editing and Dr. Sarah Straka, and Dr. Baris Olten for peer reviewing this episode.

CME Credit Available: Link Coming Soon!

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

Berman, L., & Flessner, C. A. (2014). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Diagnostic and treatment issues. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(2), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.10.003

Clark, C. A., & Scharf, R. (2020). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: Current trends and future directions. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(9), 971-979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.007

Fahrion, S., & Goodwin, G. M. (2019). Pharmacological treatment of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: SSRIs, clomipramine, and beyond. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(8), 58-66.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1040-3

Franklin, M. E., & March, J. S. (2015). Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.

Pediatric Clinics of North America, 62(3), 529-545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2015.02.004

March, J. S., & Mulle, K. (2017). OCD in children and adolescents: A review of treatments and practical guidance. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(2), 199-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.01.002

Murphy, T. K., & Pincus, D. B. (2019). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Diagnosis, treatment, and future directions. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 31(4), 517-524. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000801

PANDA Study Group. (2017). Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal

infections (PANDAS). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(11), 933-940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.07.866

Peris, T. S., & Piacentini, J. (2021). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Treatment strategies and challenges. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 50(1), 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2020.1831504

Reaven, J. (2018). Screening for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Tools, guidelines, and challenges.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 23(3), 133-139. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12267

Thienemann, M., & McGuire, L. (2019). Treating pediatric OCD with a focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy: Evidence and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 48(4), 530-538. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2019.1612851