The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) acknowledges the significance of the recent Presidential Executive Order, Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission, particularly in its focus on addressing the growing mental health and chronic disease challenges in the United States. That said, we are deeply concerned some of these directives could create significant barriers to effective treatment for those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions. Specifically, in Section 5, Subsection (a), Provision (iii), the Commission is tasked with assessing “the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs” as part of the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment.
OCD is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that cause significant distress. Affecting more than 240 million people globally, OCD commonly begins in childhood between ages 7 and 12, and again in the late teen years. Up to 3% of children and teens are affected by OCD at some point in their lives.
SSRIs are a critical, evidence-based treatment for pediatric OCD. For young people struggling with OCD, SSRIs provide relief that enables them to participate fully in treatment, school, social activities, and family life — key aspects of healthy development. Without SSRIs, children and adolescents with OCD risk substantial impairment in their ability to function, leading to academic challenges, social isolation, and a diminished quality of life. It is essential that these medications remain accessible to those in need.
The IOCDF urges the Commission to carefully consider the potential unintended consequences of its assessment on youth with OCD and related disorders. We strongly recommend that SSRIs remain an available, effective treatment option for youth.
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