Learning About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Children

Overview

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition. It makes your child have unwanted thoughts that occur over and over (obsessions). The thoughts are hard to control and usually cause a lot of distress or anxiety. To reduce the distress caused by these thoughts, your child may do certain tasks or mental acts over and over (compulsions).

For example, a child might repeat certain actions, such as washing their hands, arranging objects in a certain order, or checking the same things multiple times, like whether they did their homework.

The action makes your child feel better for only a short time. If your child tries to resist the urge to do it, they may feel very anxious or have panic attacks. The same can happen if your child isn't allowed to do the action.

Therapy can help your child learn to manage thoughts and actions. Your child may have one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and family-focused therapy.

Your doctor also may prescribe medicine to help with symptoms.

What causes it?

Experts don't know the cause of OCD. Genetics may be involved. And some think that there may be a problem with the way one part of the brain sends information to another part. This may involve changes in the levels of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin.

Some experts believe that strep infections can suddenly bring on OCD in some children or make its symptoms worse. These infections include strep throat and scarlet fever.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of OCD often come and go over time. And they can change as a child gets older.

Symptoms include:

• Obsessions. These are unwanted thoughts, ideas, and impulses that your child has again and again. The thoughts are hard to control and usually cause a lot of distress or anxiety. Examples include:
  • A fear of harm to a family member or loved one.
  • A fear of getting dirty or infected.
  • Sexual thoughts.
• Compulsions. These are behaviors that your child repeats to try to control the obsessions and reduce anxiety. Examples include:
  • Washing or cleaning.
  • Checking that something has been done.
  • Moving items to keep them in a certain order.

The obsessions or compulsions usually take up more than 1 hour a day. They greatly interfere with your child's normal routine. They also affect social activities and relationships.

Sometimes children may understand that their obsessions and compulsions aren't real. But often they may not be sure.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor can check for OCD by talking with you and your child. The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and past health. The doctor may also ask about any family members who have had similar symptoms. The doctor may also do a physical exam.

How is it treated?

Treatment will depend on how severe your child’s symptoms are. Treatment may include counseling, medicines, or a combination of both.

Counseling for OCD includes a type of cognitive behavioral therapy. It's called exposure and response prevention. It slowly increases your child's contact with the thing that causes worries or false beliefs. This therapy can reduce symptoms over time.

When doctors prescribe medicines for OCD, antidepressant medicines are the ones most commonly used. Antidepressants work differently for everyone. Your doctor will help find the medicine and dose that works best for your child.

Other therapy may also help your child learn to manage thoughts and actions. Your child may have one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and family-focused therapy. Family-focused therapy helps you learn how to help your child.

Treatment can make the symptoms less severe. But your child may still have some mild symptoms after treatment starts.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.