Obsessive–compulsive disorder and child safeguarding

Abstract

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric condition and many patients have childcare responsibilities. A small proportion have aggressive and sexual thoughts about their children. There is little risk that they will act on these thoughts, but primary healthcare and social care professionals are often unaware of this and instigate unnecessary and potentially harmful child safeguarding processes. Psychiatrists have an essential role in educating and liaising with other professionals to prevent these inappropriate interventions.