 is a personality disorder in which a person has obsession with perfection, rules, and being organized.){kind=link}
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a personality disorder in which a person has obsession with perfection, rules, and being organized. Young children who are experiencing this disorder tend to feel very anxious when they perceive that things are not right. This often leads to routines and rules for ways of doing things.
Although there is really no definite cause of OCD, studies suggest that OCD may be cause by an imbalance in a brain chemical called “serotonin” and tends to run in the family. Recent studies also showed that a person could develop OCD after a bacterial infection. Young children can also develop OCD even if they don’t have prior history.
OCD usually starts early and as many as 1 in every 200 young children got it. The obsessive thoughts usually vary with their age and may change over time. Young children for instance, may have constant thoughts that someone will harm them or their family so they will constantly check the windows and doors at home after the parents is fast asleep in an attempt to relieve their anxiety.
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Repetitive and long teeth-brushing and showering
- Washing hands over and over again
- Collecting and hoarding certain items
- Keeps rearranging things to ensure balance and order around
- Have a strict ritual before bedtime that they religiously follow.
- Chronic coughing or throat clearing
- Twitching of the eyes
- Keeps on repeating specific words and phrases over and over again
- Feel the need for order and symmetry.
- Unusual fixation with body waste
- Fear that something bad will happen to a family member
- Fear of dirt or germs
Keep in mind though that young child, who manifest some of the above behavior do not necessarily have OCD. Kids have very wild imaginations so some of the symptoms above can be perfectly normal. Nonetheless, you know you have a problem when your child is constantly anxious or distress over such thoughts.
Working with your children in overcoming such overwhelming emotions is very important. Discussing their fears and talking to them can help ease some of the anxieties and stress they feel. If all else fail, there are treatments options that help young children experiencing OCD cope and overcome the disorder. As parents of young children, understanding and giving them support is what matters.