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Typology of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are common in both adults and children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Until now, no study has explored the specific obsessive compulsive symptoms shown in children and adolescents with AN. METHOD: In this study we report types of symptoms displayed by young people with AN and explore similarities and differences with adults with AN and with people with OCD. RESULTS: Common obsessions concerned contamination, aggressive and somatic concerns, and common compulsions were related to ordering/arranging, and checking. CONCLUSION: It is important for clinicians to be aware of the obsessions and compulsions they are most likely to encounter when working with these patients. If missed or ignored, such symptoms may interact with eating disorder symptoms and impede treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ellern Mede Centre for Eating Disorders, UK

    V. Hirani & B. Lask

  2. Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, Gower St., London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    L. Serpell

  3. St. George’s University of London, UK

    K. Willoughby

  4. Huntercombe Hospital Group, London, UK

    K. Willoughby & M. Neiderman

  5. Regional Eating Disorders Service, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    B. Lask

  6. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK

    B. Lask

Authors
  1. V. Hirani
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  2. L. Serpell
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  3. K. Willoughby
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  4. M. Neiderman
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  5. B. Lask
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Serpell.

Additional information

This study was conducted at St George’s University of London, Huntercome Hospital Maidenhead and Ellern Mede Centre for Eating Disorders, London. Parts of this manuscript have been presented at the 6th London International Eating Disorders Conference, London, UK, April 2003, at the Eating Disorders Research Society, Ravello, Italy, October 2003 and Academy of Eating Disorders International Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2004.

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Hirani, V., Serpell, L., Willoughby, K. et al. Typology of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 15, e86–e89 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325284

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325284

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