Their constant worrying may often lead them to act differently compared to other children their age.
Though often mistaken as a rare occurrence among children who are habitually misdiagnosed with other mental illnesses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder or depression, OCD occurs in approximately 1% of all children. In addition, adults who have been diagnosed with OCD later in life have experience or exhibit OCD symptoms during their childhood years.
OCD in children
So what is OCD? OCD is one type of anxiety disorder where children may ve preoccupied with something dangerous, harmful, dirty or wrong. There are also frequent thoughts that bad things might happen.
The scary and uncontrolled thoughts or images that the child thinks are called obsessions. These obessessions are worrisome and are hard not to think about. Children with OCD may also become perfectionists and tend to feel uneasy if things are not in order or do not feel right. They can fear losing things and may need to keep these things even if they are already considered as useless, resulting to hoarding trash at times (a form of compulsive behavior). These certain thoughts and ideas need an outlet to satisfy their obsessive thinking through doing something that will answer their worries. These things are done repeatedly which can become a habit or ritual. Such as actions to satisfy the obsessive behavior are now known as compulsions. Children with OCD may not be aware of their condition and they justify their rituals with unreasonable reasons. They just do it simply because they have to or they want to. Once the ritual has been performed, children with OCD are relieved by the anxiety that their obsessive thinking brings. Performing the rituals will make them feel that bad things will not happen because they did what they have to do. Causes of OCD in children The exact cause of OCD among children are not known even by doctors and experts on the field. …show more content…
However, recent researches and studies showed a better understanding of the disorder and its possible causes. Some experts believed that the obsessive-compulsive behaviour stems from levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the body. Neurotransmitters are the ones that are responsible for carrying signals to the brain. Once the flow of serotonin is jammed, the brain will react and misinterpret the information. …show more content…
It will send false alarm which will incorrectly trigger a message of danger. Instead of filtering the incorrect message, the brain will dwell on it and push the child to develop unrealistic fears and doubts on himself, and the surroundings.
Genetics also play a role in the causes of this particular mental disorder. There is a strong evidence that OCD can run in families. People who are diagnosed with OCD cases have one or more fafmilu members who suffer the same or have any other anxiety disorders related to serotonin levels. Though having a family member with OCD does not mean that you also have it, your risk of acquiring the disorder increases. An illness or some event which may cause you stress can trigger OCD symptoms to those who are genetically predisposed to it.
What are the symptoms of OCD in kids?
There are different symptoms of OCD in children depending on what worries them the most, and how they choose to act on it. the list below only focuses on some OCD behaviors that your child may manifest, but please take note that OCD behaviors are not limited to the ones listed below:
OBSESSION: Fear of contamination or germs COMPULSIONS: • Frequent hand washing, bathing, showering • Frequent use of hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes • Excessive changing and washing of clothes, and cleaning surfaces. Children may ask you to clean their clothes more than once to make it really clean. • Avoids touching dirty surfaces like doorknobs • Avoids touching others or not playing with other children including own siblings • Refused to be kissed or cuddled • Avoids contact sports in the fear of catching some disease or contaminating other person • Avoids public areas and using public washrooms • Constant seeking of assurance that they are not sick or dirty OBSESSION: Urges of numbers COMPULSIONS: • Touching objects a number of times • Reading words
Though often mistaken as a rare occurrence among children who are habitually misdiagnosed with other mental illnesses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder or depression, OCD occurs in approximately 1% of all children. In addition, adults who have been diagnosed with OCD later in life have experience or exhibit OCD symptoms during their childhood years.
OCD in children
So what is OCD? OCD is one type of anxiety disorder where children may ve preoccupied with something dangerous, harmful, dirty or wrong. There are also frequent thoughts that bad things might happen.
The scary and uncontrolled thoughts or images that the child thinks are called obsessions. These obessessions are worrisome and are hard not to think about. Children with OCD may also become perfectionists and tend to feel uneasy if things are not in order or do not feel right. They can fear losing things and may need to keep these things even if they are already considered as useless, resulting to hoarding trash at times (a form of compulsive behavior). These certain thoughts and ideas need an outlet to satisfy their obsessive thinking through doing something that will answer their worries. These things are done repeatedly which can become a habit or ritual. Such as actions to satisfy the obsessive behavior are now known as compulsions. Children with OCD may not be aware of their condition and they justify their rituals with unreasonable reasons. They just do it simply because they have to or they want to. Once the ritual has been performed, children with OCD are relieved by the anxiety that their obsessive thinking brings. Performing the rituals will make them feel that bad things will not happen because they did what they have to do. Causes of OCD in children The exact cause of OCD among children are not known even by doctors and experts on the field. …show more content…
However, recent researches and studies showed a better understanding of the disorder and its possible causes. Some experts believed that the obsessive-compulsive behaviour stems from levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the body. Neurotransmitters are the ones that are responsible for carrying signals to the brain. Once the flow of serotonin is jammed, the brain will react and misinterpret the information. …show more content…
It will send false alarm which will incorrectly trigger a message of danger. Instead of filtering the incorrect message, the brain will dwell on it and push the child to develop unrealistic fears and doubts on himself, and the surroundings.
Genetics also play a role in the causes of this particular mental disorder. There is a strong evidence that OCD can run in families. People who are diagnosed with OCD cases have one or more fafmilu members who suffer the same or have any other anxiety disorders related to serotonin levels. Though having a family member with OCD does not mean that you also have it, your risk of acquiring the disorder increases. An illness or some event which may cause you stress can trigger OCD symptoms to those who are genetically predisposed to it.
What are the symptoms of OCD in kids?
There are different symptoms of OCD in children depending on what worries them the most, and how they choose to act on it. the list below only focuses on some OCD behaviors that your child may manifest, but please take note that OCD behaviors are not limited to the ones listed below:
OBSESSION: Fear of contamination or germs COMPULSIONS: • Frequent hand washing, bathing, showering • Frequent use of hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes • Excessive changing and washing of clothes, and cleaning surfaces. Children may ask you to clean their clothes more than once to make it really clean. • Avoids touching dirty surfaces like doorknobs • Avoids touching others or not playing with other children including own siblings • Refused to be kissed or cuddled • Avoids contact sports in the fear of catching some disease or contaminating other person • Avoids public areas and using public washrooms • Constant seeking of assurance that they are not sick or dirty OBSESSION: Urges of numbers COMPULSIONS: • Touching objects a number of times • Reading words