Twenty children and teenagers ages eight through 17 are needed
to participate in a research study of obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Study participants are needed who are not currently on
medication or are willing to discontinue their current
medication. Both the child and parent must be willing to
participate. Medication, laboratory tests and treatment during
the study are free.
The combined psychiatry department of the University of
Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University are
participating in a study that will measure the effectiveness of a
drug that controls the disorder.
Recent surveys estimate that as many as one in 40 people in
the U.S. may have the disorder, but the disorder is difficult to
detect if it is hidden from others. The disorder can be so severe
that the sufferer does nothing but perform compulsive rituals
throughout the day.
"Most people don’t think of children and teenagers as
having these types of diseases," said Bert Quintana, M.D.,
director of child and adolescent services, Creighton-Nebraska
Department of Psychiatry. "In fact, more research is
suggesting that these diseases may begin in childhood or
adolescence."
Dr. Quintana and colleagues, Christopher Kratochvil, M.D. and
Sheila Bierman, M.D., child psychiatrists, Creighton-Nebraska
Department of Psychiatry, will conduct the study.
Symptoms of obsessions include one or more of the following:
concern with dirt, germs or environmental toxins; fear of harming
oneself or others; fear of something terrible happening;
forbidden, aggressive or perverse sexual thoughts; images or
impulses; concern with order and exactness; and intrusive
nonsense sounds, words or music.
Compulsions include: excessive or ritualized handwashing,
showering, bathing, toothbrushing or grooming; repeating rituals
such as going in and out of a door or up or down from a chair;
checking doors, locks, stove, emergency brake on car, etc.;
measures to prevent harm to self or others; ordering or
arranging; counting; hoarding or collecting rituals; and rituals
of cleaning household or inanimate objects.
For more information on participating in the study, call
595-1067.