Obsessive–compulsive disorder in treatment seeking children & adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on children and adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aims to investigate whether the pandemic is associated with increased referral of young people with OCD, any changes in their symptom severity and treatment offered. METHODS: Service data were used to investigate 58 young people (8–17 years) referred and assessed in the Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (months March-October 2018–2020). Changes in symptom severity were measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA). Patient records were reviewed to assess if COVID-19 had exacerbated symptoms. Type of treatment offered was compared. RESULTS: 26 (5.62%) assessments to CAMHS related to OCD in 2020, compared to 12 (1.30%) and 20 (2.27%) assessments pre-pandemic (2018 and 2019), showing a significant increase in the proportion of OCD cases (X2 (1, N = 58) = 20.3, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in any HoNOSCA dimensions on initial assessment. However, 69.2% of patients in 2020 showed symptom worsening over the COVID-period, versus 46.7% of cases first assessed pre-pandemic. Significantly more patients were discharged without being offered treatment pre-pandemic (X2 (2, N = 58) = 12.7, p = 0.002). In 2020, there was an 8.5% increase in the frequency of medication offered. DISCUSSION: The proportion of OCD cases in CAMHS increased in 2020 despite the overall number of CAMHS referrals falling. Furthermore, many cases reportedly worsened during the pandemic, and services will need to address the increased burden of more severe cases. Further larger investigation of this subject is warranted.