ABSTRACT
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that appears to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite the evidence for effective treatments. OCD is a serious and treatment-responsive mental health problem, with onset in childhood or adolescence occurring in at least half of all cases. The impact scores of the parent Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and of the teacher SDQ were used to assess overall impairment in the child’s functioning. Impact scores for all informants were significantly higher in children with OCD than in normal control children. Parents and teachers of children with other emotional disorders rated them as presenting a similarly high impact as children with OCD. This high rate of comorbidity, the often chronic nature of OCD itself and the associated disadvantages contribute to the high levels of impairment experienced by young people with OCD.
