Update on the Treatment of Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating disorder that is prevalent in pediatric populations. Due to the high prevalence and poor prognosis if left untreated, research into the effectiveness and efficacy of psychological and pharmacological treatments has expanded. Accompanying efforts to disseminate such treatments to practitioners has significantly lagged behind, resulting in many children and adolescents diagnosed with OCD not receiving appropriate treatment. This review discusses the current literature on pharmacological and psychological treatments of pediatric OCD, with emphasis on two empirically supported treatment modalities for children and adolescents: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (E/RP), and pharmacotherapy (serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SRIs] and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]). Discussion about the nature of these interventions, clinical challenges, and future areas for study are included.