Obsessive-compulsive disorder in the context of schizotypal disorder among children and adolescents

This review analyzes obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the context of schizotypal disorder (STD) among children and adolescents. Recent studies indicate that children with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have an elevated risk of developing obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Additionally, comorbidity of OCD with schizophrenia or STD is linked to a more severe clinical trajectory and lower responsiveness to treatment. The manifestation of OCD in patients with STD diverges from classical presentations, requiring comprehensive diagnostic approaches to elucidate etiological mechanisms, assess prognosis, and guide effective interventions. The literature emphasizes both the importance and the ongoing underdevelopment of this area. This issue lies at the intersection of two principal challenges in contemporary psychiatry: the nosological distinction between obsessive-compulsive and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and the development of precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies within the psychotic disorder continuum. To date, no studies have examined correlations between STD and OCD symptoms using validated psychometric tools, such as the Children’s Yale—Brown Obsessive—Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Evidence of the adverse effects of comorbid symptoms on social functioning and prognosis further highlights the clinical relevance of this topic for improving quality of life in these patients.