Obsessive-compulsive disorder in youth and young adults with depression: Clinical characteristics of comorbid presentations

• Published in: Journal of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders 2023-07, Vol.38, p.100820, Article 100820
• Main Authors: Riddle, David B., Guzick, Andrew, Minhajuddin, Abu, Smárason, Orri, Armstrong, Gabrielle M., Slater, Holli, Mayes, Taryn L., Goodman, Lynnel C., Baughn, Denise L., Martin, Sarah L., Wakefield, Sarah M., Blader, Joseph, Brown, Ryan, Tonarelli, Silvina, Goodman, Wayne K., Trivedi, Madhukar H., Storch, Eric A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anxiety; Assessment; Children; Comorbidity; Depression; Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• ISSN: 2211-3649; 2211-3657
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2023.100820

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders are highly comorbid, and each contribute to significant functional impairment for affected youth. Comorbid anxiety disorders in depressed youth have been associated with greater depressive symptom severity and impairment, but the impact of comorbid OCD in this population remains unclear. Accordingly, the present study examined the differential clinical characteristics of youth with depression and comorbid OCD relative to age/gender matched depressed youth with no such comorbidity and to those with depression and a comorbid (non-OCD) anxiety disorder. A sample of 797 youth and young adults ages 8–20 years who met diagnostic criteria for depression alone, depression with co-occurring OCD or any anxiety disorder were included in the present study. Rates of comorbid anxiety and OCD were very high (60.5% and 15.5%, respectively). Relative to youth with only depression, depressed youth with comorbid OCD or anxiety had greater severity of depression, suicidality, and overall impairment in social, physical, and emotional functioning. These results highlight the contribution of OCD or anxiety comorbidity in more complex clinical presentations for depressed youth. •Depressed youth with comorbid OCD demonstrate higher suicidality and overall impairment.•Rates of anxiety and OCD in depressed youth are fairly high.•Compunded impairment in depressed youth with OCD/anxiety indicates a need for personalized treatment.