Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder which has been increasingly observed in children and teens. Children with OCD have intrusive, disturbing and distressing thoughts that they can’t stop. These can be thoughts, images or urges which drive them to behave in a particular way, repetitively.
Some examples of behaviour include
- Fears about dirt and spreading diseases
- Worrying about harm happening to self or someone else
- Fearing that something ‘bad’ may happen
- Worrying about things being tidy
- Worrying about having an illness.
Having an obsession often leads to anxiety or feeling uncomfortable and the person may then have the urge to ‘put it right’. This is what leads to compulsions.
Compulsions are things people feel they need to do to control their ‘obsessions’, even though they may not want to. Often, a compulsion means doing something again and again, as a ‘ritual’.
Some examples of compulsions include
- Washing
- Checking
- Thinking certain thoughts
- Touching
- Ordering/arranging things or lining things up
- Counting
How is it treated?
It is important to seek help early and remember that having OCD does not mean you are ‘mad’.
Child Mental Health Clinic offers a range of psychological treatments and medications to treat OCD in children.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), in particular Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be very effective. It involves talking to the child and the family and helping them understand how their thoughts and feelings are interconnected and seeking out solutions to overcome the obsessive-compulsive behaviour.
Our Psychiatrists can also recommend suitable medication either in combination with the therapy or on its own if the condition is quite severe and impairing.
Get in touch
Our specialist team of child psychiatrists and psychologists can offer comprehensive assessments and provide clear recommendations to help support you and your child.