INTRODUCTION: Marked intolerance or intrusive re-experiencing of ordinary sensory stimuli that in turn drive functionally impairing compulsive behaviors are occasionally seen in young children with OCD. METHODS: We describe a number of children with DSM-IV OCD ascertained from a family genetic study of pediatric OCD, whose intolerance of ordinary sensory stimuli created significant subjective distress and time-consuming ritualistic behavior that was clinically impairing. RESULTS: In each case, these sensory symptoms were the primary presenting symptoms and were experienced in the absence of intrusive thoughts, images, or ideas associated with "conventional" OCD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms suggest abnormalities in sensory processing and integration in at least a subset of OCD patients. Recognition of these sensory symptoms and sensory-driven behaviors as part of the broad phenotypic variation in children with OCD could help clinicians more easily identify OCD patients and facilitate treatment.
INTRODUCTION: Marked intolerance or intrusive re-experiencing of ordinary sensory stimuli that in turn drive functionally impairing compulsive behaviors are occasionally seen in young children with OCD. METHODS: We describe a number of children with DSM-IV OCD ascertained from a family genetic study of pediatric OCD, whose intolerance of ordinary sensory stimuli created significant subjective distress and time-consuming ritualistic behavior that was clinically impairing. RESULTS: In each case, these sensory symptoms were the primary presenting symptoms and were experienced in the absence of intrusive thoughts, images, or ideas associated with "conventional" OCD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms suggest abnormalities in sensory processing and integration in at least a subset of OCDpatients. Recognition of these sensory symptoms and sensory-driven behaviors as part of the broad phenotypic variation in children with OCD could help clinicians more easily identify OCDpatients and facilitate treatment.
Authors: D A Geller; J Biederman; S V Faraone; C A Bellordre; G S Kim; L Hagermoser; K Cradock; J Frazier; B J Coffey Journal: Int J Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2001-06 Impact factor: 5.176
Authors: E C Miguel; L Baer; B J Coffey; S L Rauch; C R Savage; R L O'Sullivan; K Phillips; C Moretti; J F Leckman; M A Jenike Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 1997-02 Impact factor: 9.319