Introducing “Spotlight: OCD News & Research Updates”

Welcome to Spotlight, a new blog series aimed at bringing you the latest research news and information concerning OCD and related disorders. Each quarter, we’ll also round up the biggest and most interesting news in the field of pediatric OCD research — from highlighting work by members of our Scientific & Clinical Advisory Board to the latest headlines in journals and popular media alike — and share them here. This new series is part of our larger Spotlight series, which contains monthly updates on OCD research & news and quarterly features on hoarding disorder, pediatric OCD, and BDD.

To receive a copy of this new series directly in your inbox each month, subscribe to our new “Spotlight: OCD News & Research Updates” email series here.

Making Headlines

Pediatric OCD advocates and stories making news around the globe.

To Anyone Who Knows, Loves, Teaches and/or Meets a Child With PANDAS
The Mighty, November 2015

“Know that my main objective in writing this isn’t to cause anyone guilt or shame at all because I know my daughter will be OK no matter how others treat her. However, I would hate for anyone to miss out on the blessings, wisdom and sheer appreciation for the little things in life sure to come from knowing a PANDAS kid, and their family.” A mother shares her experience in a heartfelt open letter about what she wishes others knew about PANDAS children.

No, your color-coded binder tabs aren’t “OCD” (Plus four other annoying things teens do in conversation)
Bucks County Courier Times, November 2015

This tongue-in-cheek article from an author who says her experience living with teenagers guarantees “an endless supply of three things: scented lotion, irrepressible idealism and conversational annoyances” pokes fun at favorite phrases flung around by teens in conversation at school, work, and home.

SCB Showcase

Members of the IOCDF Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board (SCB) are among the best clinicians and investigators in North America who treat and/or conduct research in the field of OCD and related disorders. Here, we recognize SCB members whose work is turning heads in the scientific community or general public.

Residential treatment outcomes for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder ($)
Psychotherapy Research, August 2015

SCB members Martin E. Franklin, Bradley C. Riemann, and H. Blair Simpson are among the authors of this study that examined outcomes from a residential treatment program emphasizing exposure and response prevention (ERP) to determine if the typically robust response to this treatment in outpatient settings extends to patients treated in this unique context.

Pediatric OCD Research Corner

A quarterly roundup of the latest in pediatric OCD research from scientific journals.

Pet Dogs and Children’s Health: Opportunities for Chronic Disease Prevention?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2015

Positive associations between having a pet dog and adult health outcomes have been documented; however, little evidence exists regarding the benefits of pet dogs for young children. This study investigates the hypothesis that pet dogs are positively associated with healthy weight and mental health among children.

Subclinical autism spectrum symptoms in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder ($)
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, October 2015

This is the largest study of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in an OCD population to date, which aims to assess the prevalence of ASD symptoms in children and adolescents with OCD, and to explore the relation between ASD symptoms and OCD severity. Pediatric OCD patients were found to exhibit elevated rates of ASD symptoms compared to a norm group of school-age children, indicating that clinicians need to be aware of ASD symptoms in children and adolescents with OCD since one out of ten exhibits such symptoms at a clinical sub-threshold according to study findings.

An observational study of parent-child behaviours in paediatric OCD: Examining the origins of inflated responsibility ($)
Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, July 2015

Inflated responsibility is a well-established belief domain relevant to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and is proposed to develop during childhood. However, parental enhancement of such beliefs have rarely been examined. This study explored the proposed pathways of development for responsibility biases in paediatric OCD by examining parent-child behaviors during a family discussion task.

IOCDF Research Resources

Find other research-related resources from the IOCDF, including:

• Join a research study as a participant
• Learn about the IOCDF Research Grant Program
• Donate to the IOCDF Research Grant Fund

For researchers:

• Recruit participants for an IRB-approved research study
• Apply for an IOCDF research grant