Are other illnesses associated with OCD?
People who have OCD often have other kinds of anxiety, like phobias (such as fear of spiders or fear of flying) or panic attacks.
People who have OCD also may have depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an eating disorder or a learning disorder such as dyslexia.
Having one or more of these disorders can make diagnosis and treatment more difficult, so it's important to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you have, even if you're embarrassed.
What is PANDAS?
PANDAS is short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal (Strep) infections. A strep bacteria infection (such as strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo), can set off an immune reaction that suddenly causes worse symptoms in some children who have OCD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or tic disorders, such as Tourette’s Syndrome. The increased severity of symptoms usually passes with time, lasting from weeks to months before symptoms improve again.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff