Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions that hinder the normal course of daily life. It affects 1-2% of children and adolescents, often occurs between the ages of 7 and 12. Sometimes it goes unrecognized, especially when kids hide symptoms or parents don't know exactly which red flags to look for. If you think your child has this condition, read on. There are several ways to recognize it, even when it comes to a small child.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Identifying Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Step 1. Don't jump to conclusions
Remember that many children have quirks and often go through stages that cause parents to wonder if something is wrong. If you are concerned that your child has a mental disorder, it is good to talk to your pediatrician or child psychologist before trying to diagnose it yourself. In case you had it tested and your doubts have not dissipated, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
Step 2. Look for symptoms of an obsessive nature
Obsessions can be difficult to detect because they are thoughts that are not always associated with external actions. As if that weren't enough, kids can hide their obsessions from adults. Symptoms can be misinterpreted, for example some may think that the child tends to have excessive and unnecessary worries. An adult might just observe that his child tends to spend more time than normal in the bathroom or bedroom, or alone in general. Here are some of the more common obsessions that occur around the home:
- Excessive worry about germs, disease and contagion.
- Fear of stabbing or harming someone, fear of car accidents or similar fears.
- Tendency to believe that one's assignments are never complete.
- Need to have everything in a symmetrically perfect order.
- Need to perform a task a certain number of times or fixation on a series of numbers.
- Concerns associated with religious ideas such as morality, death or afterlife.
- Mania for collecting insignificant objects.
- Fixation for thoughts of a sexual nature.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of compulsions
Children can experience different compulsions at home and at school. Symptoms can be misinterpreted and mistaken for lack of discipline. Adults may think that compulsions or reactions to obsessions are tantrums that arise when things don't go the way the kid wants. Symptoms can vary over time and change in intensity. Here are some compulsions he might show at home:
- Clean and clean up your room.
- Excessive hand washing or frequent showering.
- Check and double check that a door is closed.
- Organizing and rearranging objects.
- Saying particular words, repeating numbers or phrases before taking an action to prevent something bad from happening.
- The need to do everything in a certain order. If something gets in the way of this order, the child tends to get anxious or misbehave.
Step 4. Since symptoms may not always be evident, investigate the situation further
Your child may have gotten used to hiding their obsessions or compulsions. You may never see him do any of the activities listed above. If you are concerned, there are other ways to tell if you have OCD. Verify:
- If you have sleep disorders because you stay up late to vent your obsessions.
- If your hands are red or dry due to excessive washing.
- If you use soap excessively.
- If you have concerns about germs or diseases.
- If you leave more clothes in the dirty laundry basket.
- If you avoid getting dirty.
- If your academic performance has deteriorated.
- If he asks others to repeat certain words or phrases.
- If it takes too long (for no reason) to wash, prepare for bed or school.
- If you are overly concerned about the safety of friends and family.
Step 5. Look for symptoms at school
Kids with OCD may behave differently at school, where they may hide or suppress symptoms. The alarm bells that occur in the school setting may be different from those you notice at home. Here are some of them:
- Has difficulty concentrating. Repetitive and obsessive thoughts can hinder a kid's concentration. They can affect your ability to follow instructions, start homework, complete your duties, and pay attention in class.
- He isolates himself from his companions.
- He has low self-esteem.
- Misbehaves or appears disobedient due to misunderstandings that arise between the child and his peers or school staff. He may behave in a different way than usual and this can trigger conflicts.
- He has a learning disorder or cognitive problem that has nothing to do with OCD.
Part 2 of 4: Evaluating Specific Behaviors
Step 1. Pay attention to the fear of contagion
Some kids with OCD are obsessed with cleanliness and are afraid of being infected, contracting diseases and getting sick. They may fear close personal contacts, but also develop a certain fear of dirt, food, certain places / objects that they consider unhygienic or predisposed to transmit viruses and bacteria. It can be difficult to spot an obsession, but you can analyze some compulsions that come with the obsession associated with cleaning:
- Your child may avoid certain places (such as public restrooms) or situations (such as social events) because they are afraid of contagion.
- It could become suspiciously habitual. For example, he may only ever eat the same food because it is supposedly free of contaminants.
- He may start imposing cleansing rituals on you and other family members in an effort to achieve total hygiene.
- He may also develop compulsions that seem to have nothing to do with an obsession with cleaning. For example, he may refuse to wash because he fears contamination.
Step 2. Observe if he places excessive emphasis on symmetry, order and accuracy
Some children with OCD develop obsessions associated with symmetry and order. For them it is essential that everything is done "well" and that the objects are arranged "correctly". Here are some classic behaviors:
- Your child may develop precise ways to manage, organize or align objects. He could do it in an extremely ritualized way.
- He may become very anxious when objects are not arranged properly. He may panic or believe that something terrible will happen.
- He may have difficulty concentrating on homework or anything else because he is concerned about these aspects, which seem far from relevant to you.
Step 3. Look for compulsions associated with the safety of loved ones
Children with OCD may be obsessed with fear that they or others will be harmed. This obsession can lead to several compulsive behaviors:
- Your child may become overprotective of close family and friends.
- He might try to make sure everyone is safe by checking and rechecking that the doors are closed, electrical devices off, and gas off.
- He might spend several hours a day performing ritual actions to make sure everyone is safe.
Step 4. See if he is afraid of intentionally harming someone and if he is obsessed with it
Kids with OCD can have thoughts of a violent nature, living in fear of giving in to these thoughts and willfully harm themselves or others. They may begin to hate each other or believe they are bad people. Here are the alarm bells:
- Your child may be overwhelmed with guilt. He may ask to be forgiven, confess his thoughts to others, seek reassurance of his love and affection.
- These thoughts could be emotionally exhausting and worrying him. The worries will be mostly internal, but you can pay attention to symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression or exhaustion.
- Your child may draw or write using the theme of violent behavior repeatedly.
Part 3 of 4: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Step 1. Learn about the characteristics of OCD that affects children
More kids suffer from it than you think. According to the director of the Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety in Philadelphia, more than one million children in the United States alone have obsessive-compulsive disorder. This means that one in every 100 children in this country suffers from it.
- Unlike adults (who can tell if they have OCD), children don't realize it. Instead, they may believe that repetitive thoughts or actions are a source of shame and think they are on the verge of going crazy. Many feel embarrassed and therefore do not talk about their problems with adults.
- On average, obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs around the age of 10.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder appears to affect males and females equally.
Step 2. Try to understand how obsessions work
One of the main characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder is precisely the tendency to have obsessions. These are persistent / repetitive thoughts, images, ideas or impulses that continually manifest in an individual's consciousness. The child is unable to resize them, so they become more and more realistic for him. Unwanted thoughts can be frightening. If left unresolved, they can cause a state of anxiety and distraction, making sufferers seem mentally unbalanced.
- These thoughts can cause a lot of doubts.
- Because of these thoughts, the little boy may believe that something bad will happen to his loved ones.
Step 3. Try to understand how compulsions work
The second characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder is the tendency to have compulsive behaviors. These are excessively repetitive and rigid actions or behaviors that are implemented to reduce anxiety, drive away negative thoughts or drive away what you fear. The child can implement them mentally or physically. Actions are often done in response to obsessions to fight fear and can seem like well-established habits.
In general, compulsions are easier to spot because they manifest themselves in an obvious way. In fact, you may not necessarily know what your child is thinking about. However, if you pay attention, compulsive behaviors can be noticed in one way or another
Step 4. Remember that OCD is not just a phase
Some parents believe the symptoms are temporary. They also think their children misbehave to get attention. If your child has this condition, this is not the case. OCD is a neurological disorder.
If your child has OCD, it's not your fault, so don't blame yourself
Step 5. Find out what are the disorders that can accompany OCD
If a kid has obsessive-compulsive disorder, he may have other problems as well. Broadly speaking, this condition is associated with another dysfunction, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, eating disorders, autism, or Tourette's syndrome.
Other disorders have OCD-like characteristics with which they can be confused. These include body dysmorphic disorder, disposophobia, trichotillomania, and dermatillomania
Part 4 of 4: Asking for Help
Step 1. Talk openly with your child
It is possible that she is unaware of her disorder or is afraid to talk to you about it, so you must be the one to strike up the conversation. Ask him about his behavior in certain situations and listen carefully.
- Remember that your child may only open up to you if they feel safe. Try to have a calm, affectionate and understanding approach, without putting him in awe.
- For example, you could say, "Gianni, I noticed that you wash your hands often. They are turning red with all these washes. Would you like to explain to me why you need to do it so often?". Another example: "I noticed that you spend a lot of time in the room, putting your toys in place. Can you tell me what system you followed to order them? I would like to understand why they always have to be in a certain order."
Step 2. Talk to his teachers, friends, and other people he spends time with
Since OCD usually develops in school age, other people's observations can be a valuable source of information. Your child faces different situations when he is away from home, so it is possible that he has different obsessions and compulsions in a school setting and in other places.
Step 3. Consult a doctor or psychotherapist
If after observing your child's behaviors you come to the conclusion that he has this disorder, you should see a doctor or psychotherapist as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment. Don't wait for the situation to resolve itself - it could get worse. A specialist can help your child get on the right path.
- Talk to your child's doctor or psychotherapist to find out about the treatment she intends to prescribe. Also discuss what to do for the rest of the family to make sure you don't neglect anyone and that everyone supports each other.
- Before taking your child to an expert, keep a journal to document their behaviors. Write down what it does, for how long, and any information that you think is potentially useful for the doctor. This way you can make a more precise diagnosis.
Step 4. Find out about available treatments
There is no cure for obsessive compulsive disorder. However, cognitive-behavioral (TCC) and drug therapy can alleviate symptoms. If the condition is treated, it can become manageable, so it will be easier to live with it.
- In the case of children, medicines to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Another drug prescribed for children aged 10 and over is clomipramine, but it can have serious side effects.
- Among other things, cognitive-behavioral therapy can allow the child to become more aware of his behaviors and thoughts. Experts then help him to identify alternative behaviors in these situations. He will therefore learn to change his behavior and develop positive thoughts.
- In some cases, it is possible to try a school-based intervention program, which is implemented at school, which will help the child cope with academic challenges, such as performance-related needs and social expectations.
Step 5. Look for an adult self-help group
Having a child with such a disorder can be challenging, so looking for a group of people who are in the same (or similar) situation as you can make you feel less alone.
- Try to attend any sessions designed to guide parents or family therapy sessions designed to help families manage the disorder. These meetings also allow you to acquire skills to cope with the problem, teach you to cope with the complex emotions associated with the disorder and give suggestions on how to have a functional family.
- Ask your child's therapist if they know of self-help parenting groups or look for one online in your area.
- Visit the A. T. Beck, of the Institute of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy and of the Ipsic. You will find information for families of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Advice
- If your child has obsessive-compulsive disorder, remember that you will need help too. Consider joining a self-help group to share the challenges you are facing with other parents.
- Remember that mental illness shouldn't be a source of embarrassment or shame, so seeing an expert to treat such a disorder is no problem at all. If your child has diabetes, epilepsy or cancer, you would run to a doctor right away, wouldn't you? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is no different.
