Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Course Overview

Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are the most common mental and/or psychiatric disorders affecting children. Although anxiety disorders and OCD respond very well to treatment, many youths are not getting the treatment they need.

Some of these children will present to the hospital setting with behavioral and/or somatic complaints. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can result in significant long-term problems such as substance abuse, depression, suicidal ideation, and educational and occupational underachievement.

Upon course completion, learners should be able to provide evidence-based care to the pediatric patient exhibiting behaviors of an anxiety and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objectives

• Identify the different types of anxiety disorders and their associated symptoms, distinguishing between developmentally typical versus clinically significant anxiety
• Define an obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Explain the causes and maintenance factors of anxiety disorders and OCD
• Discuss co-existing medical or psychological conditions common in youth with anxiety and related disorders
• Identify evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders
• Outline strategies clinicians, parents and patients can use to help promote self-regulation, emotional control and resiliency in the anxious youth