Child & Youth Mental Health Algorithm - GPSC

IrritabilityMuscle tensionSleep disturbanceThe focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an Axis I disorder, beingembarrassed in public (as in social phobia), being contaminated (as in obsessive-compulsivedisorder), being away from home or close relatives (as in separation anxiety disorder), gainingweight (as in anorexia nervosa), having multiple physical complaints (as in somatizationdisorder), or having a serious illness (as in hypochondriasis), and the anxiety and worry do notoccur exclusively during posttraumatic stress disorder. The anxiety, worry, or physicalsymptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social or occupationalfunctioning. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychoticdisorder, pervasive developmental disorder, substance use, or general medical condition.Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderObsessionsRecurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced asintrusive and inappropriate, causing anxiety or distress.The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-lifeproblems.The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images or toneutralize them with some other thought or action.The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a productof his or her own mind.CompulsionsRepetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in responseto an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.The behaviours or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress orpreventing some dreaded event or situation.These behaviours or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with whatthey are designed to neutralize or prevent, or they are clearly excessive.At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that theobsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable.The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, take up more than 1 hour a day,or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupation, or usual socialactivities.If another Axis I disorder, substance use, or general medical condition is present, thecontent of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it.Identification, Diagnosis & Treatment of Childhood Anxiety DisordersA Package for First Contact Health Providers - © Kutcher and MacCarthy, 20113