MR. OCD AND ME: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a high life-time prevalence, affecting as many as 2–3% of children and adolescents. According to the American Psychological Association the treatment of choice in OCD is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which was found to be effective in juveniles and adults. Cognitive-behavioural interventions have to be modified in the treatment of children and adolescents with OCD considering developmental issues and specific features of the juvenile form of the disorder. Research on cognitive models of OCD in child and adolescent samples is influential in understanding and treating juvenile OCD.