Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Although long recognized in the clinical literature, obsessive-compulsive disorder in children has not received the attention given to the disorder in adults. There have been few reports of behavioral treatments with children, and the existing literature is composed largely of case studies employing one or more behavioral techniques as part of a treatment package. Most reports demonstrate a positive effect, but no treatment has demonstrated superiority, and the general outcome effect is much less than optimistic. The role of etiology, of epidemiology, of families in treatment, and of associated conditions are reviewed, and considerations for future investigations are offered.