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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Research article

The immediate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder

Authors: J. B. Nissen, D.R.M.A. Højgaard, P. H. Thomsen

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing psychiatric disorder. Traumas may trigger or aggravate OCD symptoms. COVID-19 pandemic has coursed a global crisis and has been associated with onset of psychiatric disorders in adults. Little is known about children/adolescents with OCD. The present study aimed to examine how children/adolescents with OCD react towards COVID-19 crisis.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to two separate groups of children/adolescents. One group was a clinical group newly diagnosed at a specialized OCD clinic. All the children/adolescents had a current close contact to a therapist or doctor. The other group was a survey group identified through the Danish OCD Association. Most of these children/adolescents were diagnosed years ago, and their primary treatment was completed. For the clinical group, data from patient files was available.

Results

In both groups, but most pronounced in the survey group, participants experienced a worsening of their OCD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The aggravation of OCD correlated with the worsening of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and the extent of avoidance behavior. For both groups, OCD aggressive symptoms predicted a significant worsening. Poor baseline insight showed a trend to predict a symptom worsening. The worsening was most pronounced in children with early age of onset and a family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies examining the effect of COVID-19 in children/adolescents with OCD. The effect was examined in two separate populations strengthening the findings. The study points towards an influence of the OCD phenotype, baseline insight suggesting a continued vulnerability, and a family history of psychiatric disorders.

Trial registration

The study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (1–16–02-147-20) registered 1st of April 2020. Oral and written information was given to parents and patients and written consent from patients over 15 years and parents were received.

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Title: The immediate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder
Authors: J. B. Nissen
D.R.M.A. Højgaard
P. H. Thomsen
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Tic Disorder
COVID-19
Tic Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Anxiety
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02905-5

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

The immediate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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