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The Course of Childhood OCD, Its Antecedents, Onset, Comorbidities, Remission, and Reemergence

A 12-Year Case Report

University of Florida

Muhammad Sajid

University of Florida

Kathleen Macnaughton

University of Florida

The precursors of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and its course are described in a boy in our clinic. First seen at age 4 with choking phobia, OCD was first diagnosed at age 9, was remitted by age 12, and did not reemerge again until age 16. Consistent with Kovacs and Devlin, we propose the course is consistent with biologically driven processes for internalizing disorders for children. This 12-year case report provides for observation of the development and course of OCD. This case is unique in describing antecedent behavior to onset of OCD, which was early choking phobia or obsessions of swallowing large objects and compulsive reassurance seeking. It is unique in describing a single child patient who shows remission of OCD and later reemergence of OCD. Literature of an empirical and theoretical nature support what can be learned in terms of the course and treatment of this childhood condition.

Key Words: obsessive-compulsive disorder • comorbidity • symptom return • childhood • remission

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