4 Signs Your Child May Have OCD
Mila Loskutova is a registered clinical counselor based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. She specializes in working with trauma and OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a challenging condition, especially when it affects children. Timely recognition and intervention can greatly help your child. They can manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
4 signs that may indicate your child has OCD
1. Persistent and intrusive thoughts
Some repetitive rituals are normal in childhood. They help kids learn to socialize, manage anxiety, and develop their identities. However, children with OCD often experience repetitive, intrusive thoughts that they can't control. These distressing thoughts, called obsessions, usually fixate on cleanliness, harm, or perfectionism. If your child repeatedly expresses worries or fears that seem irrational or excessive, it could be a sign of OCD.
Example:
Your child constantly worries about germs, even after washing their hands multiple times.
Your child is worried that they’ve done something wrong or something bad may happen to you or themselves.
Your child is fixated on “good” and “bad” numbers or colors.
2. Repetitive behaviors or rituals
To ease the anxiety caused by their obsessions, children with OCD often perform repetitive behaviors, known as compulsions. They are often time-consuming, complex and can interfere with daily activities. These actions are meant to prevent something bad from happening but provide only temporary relief.
Example:
Your child is constantly checking and rechecking doors, locks, light switches, or other appliances.
Your child is repeatedly asking whether they did or said something bad.
Your child is repeatedly and excessively cleaning or washing/sanitizing their hands.
Repeated or unusual counting, touching, stepping, or saying words over and over.
Hoarding things with little significance (eg., bags, papers, plastic cutlery).
3. Need for symmetry and exactness
Children with OCD may have a strong need for things to feel "just right” and become very upset if they aren’t. This can manifest as an insistence on symmetry or exactness in their environment or activities.
Example:
Your child gets very distressed if their shoes are not aligned perfectly. They may take a long time to get ready because they are adjusting their shoes repeatedly until they feel right.
4. Avoidance of certain situations
To avoid triggering their obsessions, kids with OCD may avoid certain situations, places, or activities. This avoidance can interfere with their daily life and social interactions.
Example:
Your child avoids playing outside because they fear getting dirty.
Your child does not want to get into a car out of fear of getting into a car accident.
Your child has started taking the long way home to avoid a place that triggers their fears.
Your child avoids being around people of the opposite gender.
Seeking help
If you notice these signs in your child, it's important to seek professional help. A mental health provider can evaluate your child's symptoms and provide a proper diagnosis. Early intervention can help manage OCD and improve your child's well-being. Effective methods include exposure and response prevention (ERP) and medication.
Conclusion
Recognizing the signs of OCD in children is the first step toward getting them the help they need. Persistent and intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, need for symmetry, and avoidance of certain situations are all potential indicators.
You can support your child in managing their OCD and leading a fulfilling life. By spotting these signs and seeking help, parents can play a crucial role in the early detection and treatment of OCD in their children. This can pave the way for better mental health outcomes.
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Mila Loskutova, Registered Clinical Counsellor
Mila Loskutova is a registered clinical counselor based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. She specializes in areas such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD. As a queer person, she is particularly passionate about supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, helping folks of all backgrounds, orientations and genders not only survive but thrive in the world.
