5. How prevalent is OCD in children and adolescence?

Epidemiological studies have indicated that by late adolescence 2% to 3% of children will be affected by OCD. The number of children that develop the disorder peaks at puberty and then again during early adulthood, and boys tend to have an earlier age of onset than girls.

6. Is childhood onset OCD a chronic condition that my child will have to deal with for the rest of her life?

According to a comprehensive review of literature on OCD, 10% to 50% of children with OCD have a complete remission of symptoms by late adolescence. A majority of children that continue to experience OCD are able to manage their symptoms with medications and behavioral therapy.

7. What is PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections?)

The children that fit the PANDAS criteria must be diagnosed with OCD and/or a tic disorder, have a prepubertal symptom onset, an episodic clinical course tied to group A b-hemolytic streptococcal infections (GABHS/strep. throat infections), and the presence of other neurological abnormalities.

The typical PANDAS child will contract a strep. infection and shortly thereafter develop sudden onset OCD and/or tics. These children may also develop separation anxiety, sleep problems, an increase in urinary frequency, a sudden onset of bed-wetting, hyperactivity/inability to pay attention, difficulties with fine motor control, and a marked increase in irritability. Eventually, these symptoms will remit until the child has another strep. infection, and then the cycle will begin again.

More information about PANDAS is available at the following website:

http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/research/pdn/gen_info.htm

8. What causes OCD?

Different parts of the human brain are connected to each other by neurons to create pathways. These pathways are much like the circuits in your home that connect electrical appliances to the main power grid via wires. Sometimes the pathways in the brain can work improperly just like the wiring in your home can “short circuit.”
It is hypothesized that the brain pathway connecting the orbitofrontal cortex and the caudate nucleus malfunctions in children with OCD. In addition, many scientists believe that people with OCD have a chemical imbalance in the brain involving the neurotransmitter serotonin.

The Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Research Program is an element of The NIMH Division of Intramural Research Program.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.