Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Understanding Different Types of Anxiety
Learn more about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD, its symptoms, reasons why it happens, how to get a diagnosis, and possible treatments for kids with this type of anxiety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a mental disorder characterised by persistent thoughts, urges, or behaviours that cause distress or interfere with normal functioning. It's estimated that 1% to 3% of children experience OCD.
It is unclear what exactly sets certain kids on a path to developing the OCD. Some kids get sick of being told "no" repeatedly.
Others may not understand why they should do certain tasks. Still, others may feel guilty because they've done something bad. Whatever the reason, OCD is a serious problem that needs to be treated.
In this article, we will explore how OCD develops in kids, how to recognise symptoms, and how to treat OCD in kids.
What is OCD and what are examples of OCD
An obsession is defined as recurrent and unwanted thoughts, images, impulses, or sensations that repeatedly occur in response to a stimulus. A compulsion is defined as repetitive behaviour performed to reduce anxiety or prevent harm to oneself or others.
An example of an obsession would be having recurring thoughts when items aren’t arranged a certain way or doubts that you’ve turned off lights, doors or electrical items. Cleaning your hands thoroughly after touching something potentially harmful is an example of a compulsion.
Kids with OCD often experience intense fear and worry when their obsessions come true. They also feel extremely guilty if they don't perform compulsive rituals to make themselves feel better.
Signs and symptoms of OCD in kids
The manifestations of OCD can range widely from one person to the next. Obsessions and compulsions can be so debilitating for some people that they get in the way of normal functioning.
While other people only notice milder symptoms, such as feeling anxious or worried about doing things correctly.
Some signs and symptoms of OCD include:
Repeatedly performing ritualistic behaviours to try to neutralise fears or stop obsessions
Feeling excessively responsible for other people's feelings or actions
Having trouble concentrating on schoolwork or completing chores at home
Being afraid of making mistakes
Avoiding situations where there could be a perceived danger
Having difficulty sleeping
Questions to ask a child with OCD
If you are concerned your child may have OCD, it’s a good idea to speak to a health professional or mental health support person. Here are some questions to consider asking:
Does your child's obsessions seem unreasonable? Are they based on real dangers?
Does your child avoid activities he or she enjoys because of fears?
Is your child overly concerned about what other people seem to think of him or her?
Are your child's fears ever realistic?
How does your child react when his or her obsessions come true? Can he or she handle them?
Risk factors for developing OCD in kids
Multiple factors increase children's vulnerability to OCD. That includes, but is not limited to:
Predisposition to OCD due to a family history of the disorder
Early trauma
Childhood abuse
Genetics - if a parent or sibling as OCD, there’s more of a chance of developing OCD.
How does OCD develop in kids?
It's thought that OCD begins during early development. This means that OCD has its roots in the brain.
When we're young, our brains are still growing and changing. During these years, the brain is especially sensitive to stress and trauma.
Therefore, if a child experiences a traumatic event before his or her brain is fully developed, he or she may become more vulnerable to developing OCD later in life.
Children who grow up in environments exposed to trauma, violence, bullying, sexual assault or neglect are also more likely to develop OCD later in life.
How Does OCD Impact Kids' Lives?
The impact of OCD on kids' lives depends on how severe it is. Some kids with OCD struggle with this disorder all their lives. Others find ways to cope with their symptoms and live relatively normal lives.
Some children with obsessive-compulsive disorder have difficulty concentrating in class. There may be repercussions on their focus and productivity.
It can also cause them to avoid certain activities because they think they'll do something wrong.
For others, OCD doesn't seem to interfere much with their everyday life. However, OCD can still cause emotional distress.
In a 2017 study, almost 20% of people with OCD also had Generalised Anxiety Disorder, another almost 20% had a specific phobia and another almost 20% had social phobia..
Day-to-day impacts of OCD on kids
Kids with OCD often feel ashamed of having this condition. In addition, they might be afraid of how others will react if they reveal that they suffer from OCD.
They might worry that they wouldn't be accepted if their loved ones found out about their OCD. Many children who suffer from OCD try to keep the condition a secret. Because of this, it is more difficult for them to receive assistance.
Some kids with OCD experience social isolation because of their disorder. Others may have trouble getting along with friends because they keep secrets from them.
OCD can even make trivial tasks challenging in cases of severe conditions. This could look like an obsession with checking things over and over again.
Other common day-to-day impacts include:
Difficulty concentrating
Problems completing homework
Avoidance of certain activities
Feeling anxious and depressed
Long-term impacts of OCD on kids
In the long term, untreated OCD can significantly impact your child's well-being as they develop. These issues include:
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Poor self-esteem
Social isolation
Lack of confidence
Suicidal thoughts
However, if OCD is treated, it can have less of an impact on your kid's development. Children with treated OCD can lead typical and successful lives with a healthy relationship to work and socialising. Although, this takes hard work, therapy, and emotional intelligence education.
Long-term impacts of OCD on families
It is essential to remember that the individual who suffers from OCD isn't the only one affected by the disorder. It affects everyone around him or her.
Parents, siblings, teachers, and classmates can be affected too.
Talk to your child's doctor if your concerns about his obsessive-compulsive disorder keep you up at night. They can advise on treatments that have been shown to be effective for kids like yours.
They may also be able to suggest a mental health expert with experience in OCD treatment.
Your child's doctor should ask questions about your child's OCD, so they understand what to expect when he treats your child.
How OCD Changes Over Time
As a child grows up, OCD and how it presents tends to change for children. For example, OCD can often worsen during childhood but then improve as they develop into a teenager.
Often, at first OCD is more likely to involve obsessions than compulsions. Then as time goes by, compulsive behaviours become more prominent.
You might notice changes in your child's OCD as they age.
OCD in early childhood
OCD can start showing as early as age two years old. Most kids with OCD begin experiencing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours around this time. At this age, OCD looks like this:
Repeating rituals
Checking objects over and over again
Washing hands repeatedly
Playing with toys obsessively
Trouble sleeping
OCD in pre-teens
By around 10 years old, most kids with OCD have developed a full range of obsessions and compulsions. The following are examples of OCD in teens:
Repeating rituals such as touching door knobs, looking under beds, or counting steps
Checking objects over again and again
Counting items in order
Having fears of harming themselves or others
OCD in adolescence
During adolescence, OCD usually gets worse. In fact, it's not uncommon for OCD to become more severe during this period. Here are some examples of OCD in adolescents:
Repeating rituals like touching door knobs, checking locks, or washing hands repeatedly
Compulsively watching TV or playing video games
Being afraid of hurting someone else
Getting into fights
If not properly treated, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in teens can lead to clinical depression, substance addiction, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts.
Adult onset obsessive-compulsive disorder
Most adults with OCD report having experienced symptoms since at least their middle school years. However, OCD is rarely diagnosed until after age 30.
OCD in adulthood can be a major challenge, especially if it has not been diagnosed or treated for a long time. Some people with adult-onset OCD have these problems:
Fears of harming self or others
Unwanted sexual urges
Fear of contamination
Loss of control over actions
Feeling anxious all the time
Depression
Suicide
How kids handle OCD
Kids with OCD often try to ignore their obsessions and compulsions because they don't want to feel bad. They might also avoid situations that trigger them.
Some children with OCD find relief from their symptoms by discovering activities they enjoy. For example, they might:
Try to distract themselves from an obsession
Do something physical, like exercise or play sports
Share your emotions with close friends and family.
Take medication
Ask a parent or teacher for help
Can kids grow out of OCD?
Yes! Kids with OCD can get better on their own. It takes hard work, but many kids with OCD eventually overcome their OCD or learn to live with it in a way that is not debilitating.
It helps to know that OCD isn't going away. But with treatment, most kids with OCD will get better.
However, sometimes OCD can persist through childhood into adulthood. This is called "persistent" or "chronic" OCD. Talk to your child's doctor immediately if you suspect he or she suffers from persistent OCD.
Advice for Parents Suspecting Their Child Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
It's important to know that OCD doesn't just go away on its own. It takes treatment to get rid of OCD.
Determine first if your kid has OCD. Then, ask your child's teachers and other caregivers about his or her behaviour. Also, ask your child directly.
Pay attention to the signs and symptoms mentioned above. Expert help is required if you experience any of the signs of OCD. Here are some of the treatment therapies that can help your kid with OCD:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Your child may benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy that teaches helpful strategies for dealing with difficult thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a treatment method that seeks to replace negative thought patterns with more constructive ones.
In addition, CBT teaches your child ways to change unwanted habits and rituals.
Family therapy
Sometimes, the whole family needs to work together to treat OCD. Family therapy involves working with everyone in the family to understand what's happening and why. The objective is to make the environment in which your child lives healthier.
Medication
Sometimes, medications can help reduce OCD symptoms. These include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and mood stabilisers. Consult with your child's doctor or health professional to discuss this with them.
Exposure response prevention (ERP)
This form of cognitive behavioural therapy teaches your child how to confront feared situations without engaging in compulsive behaviours. To maximise its benefits, ERP is most effective when used in tandem with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication.
What Parents can do for kids who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
A health professional, doctor, or mental health support person can help you and your child to diagnose and seek help for OCD. For parents at home, it’s important to remember to stay patient and support your child without pressuring them.
Parents might like to:
Encourage relaxation techniques for children
Provide reassurance that they’re safe and have support
Provide distraction and orientation towards calming activities
Encourage your child to use a journal to write and to reflect on their feelings with the aim of building emotional awareness and emotional intelligence
Create a calm environment for your child so they have a space they’re happy and comfortable in
When parents have more support, exposure and response prevention might be helpful where parents gently expose their kids to the thing that makes them anxious with the hope that they will become more comfortable with the thing over time
Take each day at a time and try to approach your child with patience in new day
Celebrate small wins and acknowledge their progress
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, OCD is characterised by recurrent, unwanted thoughts that cause significant distress and make normal functioning difficult.
For example, if a child is afraid of germs, they may wash their hands over and over again until they feel clean. This type of behaviour is called contamination obsession.
Another common symptom of OCD is checking behaviours, which means repeatedly looking for signs that something bad might happen. A person with this disorder will check locks, light switches, door handles, stove knobs, and even air vents. These conditions are linked to increased nervousness and melancholy.
Fortunately, some children grow out of OCD. But if left untreated, OCD can have serious consequences.
Designed by a psychologist and 1,000+ kids
Meet Gheorg, a friendly robot designed to help 7-12 year old kids to improve their emotional intelligence and mental wellbeing.