Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in an Adolescent with Intellectual Disability

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Intellectual disability (ID) is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, often presenting atypically.
• Accurate diagnosis of these conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is frequently challenging in individuals with ID.

Observation:

• A case report details an adolescent with mild ID presenting with irritability, a common but often overlooked symptom.
• Comprehensive assessment led to an OCD diagnosis in this adolescent.

Findings:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication proved effective in treating OCD symptoms in the adolescent with ID.
• Irritability can be a key indicator of underlying psychiatric conditions like OCD in individuals with ID.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of thorough psychiatric evaluations in individuals with ID, even with atypical presentations.
• Further research is needed to improve diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for psychiatric comorbidities in the ID population.