Summary of the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

This summary provides an overview of the assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment recommendations contained in the Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. OCD is a disorder of heterogeneous origin characterized by intrusive thoughts or compulsive urges or behaviors 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: cognitive-behavioral therapy (primarily exposure/response prevention) and serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication. Additional individual and family psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and educational interventions often are necessary.