Scrupulosity Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children

Abstract

It is important for psychiatric–mental health nurses and advanced practice nurses to be familiar with clinical presentations and recommended treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. The current article provides a brief overview of symptom presentation, diagnostic criteria, etiology, comorbidity, and prevalence in this population. Special attention is given to one of the lesser-known clinical presentations, scrupulosity. A scrupulosity theme entails intrusive thoughts that center around a religious, ethical, and/or moral framework. A vignette is provided to illustrate a scrupulosity presentation. Finally, empirically supported treatment is outlined, and nursing considerations are provided. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61 (11), 10–16.]