Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children

Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children with Family-Based Exposure Therapy 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a relatively common anxiety disorder. OCD is characterized primarily by intrusive thoughts (“obsessions”) that cause significant and overwhelming anxiety, which often causes the person to engage in certain repetitious behaviors (“compulsions”) to try to temporarily relieve that anxiety. Although obsessive-compulsive disorder in Mansfield and the Boston area is more commonly diagnosed in adolescents and adults, this condition can also occur in children. OCD in children is arguably more difficult to deal with than obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, and children often do not respond as well to psychiatric medications. However, a recent study has found compelling evidence that one form of behavioral therapy, called “Family-Based Exposure Therapy”, may be a particularly effective approach to pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder treatment. 

How is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diagnosed in Mansfield? 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Mansfield is diagnosed, usually by a psychologist or psychiatrist, based on an accepted set of diagnostic criteria. The ICD-10 lists the following criteria for a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

A. Obsessions and Compulsions.

·         OBSESSIONS are defined as:
 1.) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, are intrusive or inappropriate, and cause marked anxiety or distress.
2.) The obsessions are not exaggerated real-life worries
3.) The person attempts to ignore or suppress the obsessive thoughts, or to neutralize them with a different thought or action.
 4.) The person recognizes that obsessional thoughts arise within their own mind, rather than delusionally believing they have been “inserted” by an outside party

·         COMPULSIONS are defined as:
 1.) Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, often according to rules that must be rigidly adhered to
2.) These behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress preventing a dreaded turn of events, BUT these behaviors are excessive or irrational and not connected to the thoughts and anxieties in a realistic way.

B. The person has recognized that the obsessions and compulsions are not reasonable or rational. (This does NOT apply to children.)

C. The obsessions and compulsions are distressing, time-consuming, and interfere with a person’s normal activities.

D. The obsessions and compulsions are not restricted to another comorbid disorder (such as generalized anxiety or major depression).

               

To diagnose a child in Mansfield with obsessive compulsive disorder, a psychiatrist or psychologist must rule out other possible diagnoses, including autism-spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, and other anxiety disorders. 

Family-Based Exposure Therapy: A Promising New OCD Treatment for Pediatric Patients 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children can be difficult to approach and treat. In Mansfield adults, SSRI medications are sometimes incorporated into treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although these medications can be effective for anxiety and depression in adults, however, they are not recommended for children. A better approach for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in children is to use behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or talk therapy.

Recently, a study conducted by the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center has found that a technique called “family-based exposure therapy” was an especially effective approach for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in children between the ages of 5 and 8. Although CBT therapies have been well substantiated in adults and adolescents, there had previously been little research into their efficacy for young children.

Exposure therapy is often used to treat anxiety disorders in Mansfield, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Exposure therapy is based on behavioral principles of “respondent conditioning”, famously discovered by Pavlov. This therapy approach aims to identify the thoughts and feelings leading to the anxiety response when a “trigger” is presented, and at reducing those responses though exposure to the stimulus. The “family-based” aspect refers to keeping the child’s family informed and involved in the treatment.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR OCD