Conversations about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tend to be about adults. Most often, the condition is misunderstood. But even when the discourse is accurate, very little attention is paid to the unique struggles of children with OCD. Childhood can be a confusing time and behaviors can be dismissed because the kids are assumed to be “going through a phase.”
In reality, at least 2 percent of children and teens in the U.S. are struggling with OCD and they deserve more compassion and attention. A giant first step in this direction would be focusing on how OCD manifests in younger people. This would empower parents and practitioners to offer deeper and more sustainable relief from typically debilitating symptoms. I’ve written a little on this topic before, but more exploration is necessary.
What Does OCD Feel Like for Anyone?
The most effective way to convey the symptoms of OCD — for people of any age — is to break down its name.
- Obsessions: These are intrusive, typically irrational thoughts that cause profound stress. Someone with OCD cannot shrug off such thoughts unless they are addressed. Thus, the anxiety can become overwhelming — especially since the obsessions are often about looming dangers.
- Compulsions: In response to the stress of obsessions, compulsions are created. They arrive as ritualistic routines that, theoretically, will prevent the risks threatened in their obsessive thoughts. When they complete a ritual, it offers temporary relief.
For children, the obsessions and compulsions can resemble those of adults. However, while adult compulsions can appear unrelated to the obsessions, with kids, there is a more palpable connection.
What Does OCD Feel Like for Children?
Depending on the child’s age, the experience can take different forms. Speaking generally, if a child has intrusive thoughts about cleanliness (a common topic), they may also display compulsions within the realm of cleaning, disinfecting, or scrubbing. It’s as if they want to undo the contamination featured in their obsessions.
An example that fits into the narrow public stereotype could be related to numbers. If a kid feels obsessed with certain numbers, they may seek relief through counting rituals or lining up items based on a numerical criteria. Of course, an adult might do something similar. A crucial difference lies in how such behavior is perceived by others.
One Very Unique Struggle of Children with OCD
Children, for better and for worse, are not yet socialized in what is and isn’t accepted in their culture and society. Thus, as unusual and all-consuming OCD symptoms can be, a child may take a while to identify that such thoughts and behaviors are out of the ordinary. Kids are notorious for their quirks and imagination, so it’s not automatic to wonder about a mental health disorder. If so, teachers and parents may wonder if such a child has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) instead of pondering the possible presence of OCD.
On a related note, children with OCD are at a higher risk of also being diagnosed with ADHD, tic disorders, etc. In fact, their OCD patterns will more likely garner them an anxiety disorder diagnosis before OCD is recognized as the culprit.
Identifying and diagnosing OCD in a child has to be a team effort. Those who are around the child often (parents, siblings, teachers, etc.) can offer valuable input through simple observation. Once a mental health practitioner is consulted, they will use this data in combination with clinical assessments.
Getting Your Child the Help They Need
No one is asking you to differentiate between OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and more. But if you sense that your child is struggling in a steady manner, you can be the advocate they need. I’d love to talk more with you about this soon.
