Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is widely misunderstood. The letters OCD have become shorthand for anyone who is organized or orderly. In reality, this disorder involves far more than that. It can be a complicated and debilitating experience for anyone of any age. Speaking of age, there’s something else that is not widely known. As many as two percent of U.S. children and teens are impacted by OCD.
For such kids, typical worries and fears become chronic and all-consuming. These are the obsessions. From there, the confused children and teens slip into a cycle of rituals (compulsions) meant to ease the anxiety caused by the obsessions. It’s vital that we identify such signs and symptoms.
OCD Obsessions and Compulsions in Children
Common Obsessions For Children
- Fear of germs, dirt, and contamination
- Obsessions related to religion
- Fixating on household items
- Intrusive thoughts that involve violence or sex (specifically with teens)
- Craving order and symmetry
- Obsessive thoughts about body wastes
- Considering numbers to be lucky or unlucky
- Intense concerns about one’s health and the health of loved ones
Common Compulsions for Children
While compulsions can be quite random (hoarding, touching, and repeating) for young folks, they more often directly relate to obsessions like those listed above, for example:
- For kids with fears related to cleanliness, their compulsions might include household cleaning, tooth-brushing, hand-washing, or something designed to “un-do” contact with something contaminated.
- If their obsessions are associated with harm, a child could relatively check to make sure the stove has been turned off or the door is locked. This can carry over to checking and re-checking homework and other assignments.
- When numbers play a big role in one’s obsessions, the associated compulsions might involve counting and putting items in a particular order.
All the above is not unlike how OCD manifests in adults. However, the biggest differences may lie in identifying the presence of such symptoms and getting children and teens to offer more details.
Why OCD Symptoms Can Present Differently in Children
OCD symptoms in young people can be frequently missed because:
- The kids themselves don’t realize what such signs mean; they don’t yet have the language to describe what’s happening
- Parents and caretakers overlook symptoms as “kids being kids”
- Children are embarrassed and find ways to hide what they’re experiencing
- The symptoms scare the kids dealing with them so they therefore go to elaborate lengths to suppress and mask them
Obviously, factors like this complicate matters and slow down a child’s access to treatment. As time passes, a child’s behavior may become normalized in the eyes of those who know them. The coping mechanisms a kid creates to obscure their obsessions and compulsions can also blend into the overall perception of their personality.
Sure, as with any mental health disorder, children will react differently than adults. But with something as nuanced and unusual as OCD, the biggest culprit for misunderstanding is a lack of awareness.
Keep in Mind…
While the cause of OCD in children remains unknown, some risk factors have been identified:
- Family history
- Childhood trauma
- Co-exiting mental health issues
- A child’s temperament
Brain structure - Premature birth and low birth weight
Since most cases of OCD in children are diagnosed between the ages of seven and twelve, this is an important time to take note of any problems your child may be struggling with.
