Does My Child Have OCD? Understanding the Signs and Symptoms
“Does my child have OCD?” is probably one of the questions I get asked most.
As a parent, it can be concerning when your child displays unusual and repetitive behaviours.
When this happens one condition that might spring to mind is obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD).
While many people associate OCD with adults it can affect children too.
So how do you know if your child has OCD?
Understanding whether your child has OCD requires recognising OCD signs and symptoms and seeking professional help straight away for a proper diagnosis.
Understanding OCD?
Does My Child Have OCD: What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- OCD, is a mental health condition that consists of two main components: obsession and compulsions.
What Are Obsessions?
Obsessions are persistent, intrusive thoughts or urges that can cause massive anxiety that can lead to children carrying out compulsions in an attempt to calm anxiety.
Obsessions Can Centre Around All Manner of Things Including:
- Fear of illness or death
- Fear of dirt or germs
- Fear of making mistakes
- Fear of vomiting or choking on food
- Fear of offending others
What Are Compulsions?
Compulsions are repeated actions that children do in an attempt to calm anxiety.
Examples of Compulsions Include:
- Reciting prayers
- Washing hands over and over
- Checking that appliances are switched off or that doors are locked
- Avoiding or restricting food
- Over- apologising
Does My Child Have OCD: Other OCD Signs and Symptoms
Not all OCD signs and symptoms are obvious.
OCD can manifest differently from child to child, but some less obvious symptoms that your child could be developing OCD include:
- Avoiding people or places
- Asking for constant reassurance
- Covering areas of the body, including arms and legs
- Feeling exhausted
- Having meltdowns over minor things
- Needing to touch things in a certain order
- Counting or tapping to a specific number
Does My Child Have OCD: When To Seek Help
If you suspect your child is exhibiting signs of OCD, it’s important not to dismiss these behaviours as just a phase or a fad.
When compulsion starts to interfere with school, friendships or daily functioning, it’s time to seek professional help.
How To Get A Child Diagnosed For Childhood OCD
Step 1: Consult with a family doctor or paediatrician, who will assess your child to rule out any similar conditions.
Step 2: Your child will then be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist, who will come up with a treatment plan for your child.
Step 3: The most effective therapy for OCD is ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy, which is a form of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). ERP therapy teaches children to gradually expose themselves to their fears without resorting to carrying out compulsions.
In some cases, medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed to take alongside therapy to help manage symptoms.
Conclusion
It’s not always easy to tell if your child has OCD, especially as some behaviours can look similar to typical childhood quirks or general anxiety.
However, if you notice your child displaying signs of excessive anxiety, intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviours that interfere with their daily life, it’s important to seek professional help.
Early intervention can significantly improve your child’s well-being and help them manage OCD behaviours effectively before these behaviours affect their daily lives.
With the right support and treatment. children with OCD can go on to lead happy and healthy lives.
How To Help A Teenager With OCD While Waiting For Professional Therapy
Parenting OCD in Teenagers- My Digital Handbook
After supporting my teenage daughter to manage OCD and lead a more fulfilling life, I am now on a mission to try to help teenagers and parents avoid the struggles we faced.
I Created The ‘How To Help A Teenager With OCD Digital Handbook‘ To Share Strategies to Help:
- Spot early signs of OCD in teens
- Manage OCD using positive communication and introduce ERP (exposure response prevention) therapy.
- Get support from schools so your child can still achieve their academic and personal goals.
- Prevent OCD from worsening…and evolving into other themes.
- Protect relationships and siblings from the impact of OCD.
I have uploaded the Parenting OCD in Teens and Tweens Digital Handbook, onto the Payhip platform so that parents can download it right away and start working through the strategies at their own pace.
What’s included in the Handbook?
The workshop consists of over 100 pages broken up into six easy-to-follow chapters as detailed below:
- Understanding OCD
- Managing Anxiety
- Challenging OCD
- Overcoming Challenges
- Getting Support
- Parenting A Teen Or Tween With OCD- Recap
What’s the cost of the Parenting OCD in Teens and Tweens Digital Handbook?
At the time of writing, my ‘Parenting OCD in Teens and Tweens Digital Handbook ‘is available for a one-off cost of just £15.
What can you expect from the handbook?
What I will say is that for just £15, you will get access to the following:
- What I learnt during six years of supporting my teenage daughter with therapy condensed into ONE convenient handbook, which you can use to start managing OCD while waiting for, or alongside, professional therapy
- Heaps of examples of different ways to introduce ERP therapy, broken down into quick examples.
- Examples of how to ease a teen’s discomfort as they begin to expose themselves to their greatest fears, that include using distraction and offering ‘sweeteners’
- Strategies shared from a parent’s perception (and language) rather than a professional therapist’s
- Ways to help protect relationships and siblings from OCD
- Tasks to help make challenges easier, including creating your OCD character
- Examples of ways to manage anxiety and stop other OCD themes from creeping in
All this for a one-off price of £15.
Click here to get access to the Parenting OCD In Teens and Tweens Digital Handbook TODAY.
