Does your child suffer from obsessive Compulsive Disorder? If so, your child may be eligible to receive intensive behavioral treatment for free as part of a new research study offered by the Provincial OCD Program at BC Children’s Hospital.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
affects approximately 1- 2% of youth. It is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent and distressing thoughts, urges, or images. Common obsessions include contamination concerns (e.g., germs, dirt, illnesses), unwanted thoughts (e.g., harm, sexual, sacrilege, superstition), and feelings of ‘incompleteness.’
Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts that are repeated again and again in a specific way to prevent/reduce distress or a feared event. Common compulsions include washing/cleaning, checking/reassurance, avoiding, and ordering/arranging.
Youth with OCD spend a lot of their time struggling with their symptoms. The symptoms cause problems for youth in many aspects of their and their families lives.
This study will look at the benefits of intensive exposure andresponse prevention (ERP).
Research has shown ERP to be effective in reducing the severity of OCD and associated child- and family-impairment. As a result, it is considered the first-line treatment.
The goal of the study is to determine how much ERP youth need to get better and whether different ways of providing the
treatment impact how well or quickly it works.
Participants in this study will
receive a diagnostic assessment, ERP treatment, and modest compensation for time spent on assessments/travel. Specific details
about the study procedures are provided on the back of this page.
Participation in this study is voluntary. Participation in the study. Even if you initially agree to be part of the study, you may
withdraw at any time.
To join the study, youth must be:
1) Between 7 – 19 years of age
2) Meet diagnostic criteria for OCD
at moderate or higher severity
3) Willing, and have at least one parentguardian willing, to
participate in the treatment study
4) Not on, or on a stable dose of,
psychotropic medication (participation can be delayed until stable)
5) Sufficient in English to complete
questionnaires (also applies to parentguardian)
6) Living within Greater Vancouver
(within 60-minutes drive of BC Children’s Hospital)
Research staff will conduct an initial
parent phone interview to make sure that your child is likely eligible to participate in this study. Source anxietycanada.com/
