Long-Term Course of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treated in Adolescence

Abstract

To investigate the long-term course of obsessive-compulsive disorder treated in adolescence. Fifteen young adults treated for the disorder in adolescence, mainly through not only by behavior therapy and family therapy, were followed up between 9 and 14 years later. Data were collected on 14 of the cases (93%, N = 15) from various sources including interview in person in 6 cases. Of the 14 cases, 6 were found to satisfy DSM-III-R criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder at long-term follow-up, while 8 were not. These recovered participants were not currently taking medication, and long-lasting recovery was associated with good social adjustment. Chronic course was not attributable to lack of subsequent treatment. The recovery rate of 57% (N = 14) is similar to those found in other recent studies of outcome following vigorous treatment in adolescence. The findings are over the longest follow-up period so far reported for obsessive-compulsive disorder treated in adolescence. Positive response to treatment in adolescence can be followed by relapse after longer periods than have usually been studied.