Obsessive-compulsive symptoms can at times be
confounded by delusional symptoms, which can
be especially challenging to interpret correctly in
children and adolescents, who may struggle to articulate
the intrusive or unreasonable nature of their
obsessions. Obsessions, overvalued ideas and delusions
can have an overlap. Persistent headaches are
not uncommon amongst patients presenting with
anxiety disorders and psychosomatic symptoms
are frequently reported by children. Psychosomatic
complaints, such as enduring headaches, can also
have an undesirable impact on therapeutic approach
and delay access to the correct treatment. In this
case we discuss diagnostic pitfalls in an adolescent
girl presenting with obsessive-compulsive symptomatology
and a successful treatment of enduring
symptoms with psycho-education and medication.
We will argue that psycho-education for young people
and their families based on a correct diagnosis
of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is essential
to provide reassurance, to help young people regain
self-confidence and re-establish constructive
relationships within the family unit. Selective serotonin
re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the drug of
choice for pharmacological treatment of OCD in this
age group. We conclude that a correct diagnosis of
the condition as "anxiety-driven" was of paramount
importance for psychological approach and pharmacological
management of this case.
Adolescent Obsessive Compulsive Di-sorder Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor Ob-session Delusion
Subjects | Health Care Administration |
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Journal Section | Case Report |
Authors | |
Publication Date | October 16, 2017 |
Acceptance Date | December 18, 2015 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 |