Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD

Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder

OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a mental affliction that is characterized by thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive actions that attempt to reduce anxiety, or a combination of both. Typical symptoms of the disorder include things like extensive hoarding of objects, excessive hand washing, counting, nervous habits, or particular belief systems. OCD sufferers typically recognize their thoughts and actions as irrational and outside the norm, which causes them even more anxiety. The symptoms are often alienating, and perceived by others as psychotic rather than just compulsive (Hollander, 1997, 1-13).

OCD and Children -- OCD is an anxiety disorder, and children with the affliction become preoccupied with things that could be dangerous, wrong, dirty, harful, or thoughts about negative things that "could happen." These images may be as simple as something being our of order, or about losing something, needing to collect, or finding a ritual "just because" it feels right. One physician noted that OCD in children is like an overactive alarm system -- the rise in anxiety is so strong that that child feels like they must perform the thought or action over and over again -- to the point where this interferes with the regular course of life. The child typically must perform the ritual to neutralize the anxiety, which it may do temporarily, but in the long-run, usually returns again and is more severe (Lee, 2003, 3-44).

Neurologists are not completely sure of the cause of OCD, but it is likely that it is related to the brain chemical seratonin -- the same chemical that tends to cause depression in adults. Sometimes, it seems, in children, serotonin's flow between brain receptors is blacked, and the brain's "alarm" overacts and misinterprets this information -- sending danger signals. Instead of the brain understanding these are false alarms, more chemicals are released that causes the sufferer to dwell on the danger thoughts -- causing a loop that becomes even more anxious with unrealistic fears and doubts (B., 2008, intro).

There does seem to be some evidence of a genetic link, and OCD is usually diagnosed between the ages of 7 and 12. Since these are the same years in which children are concerned about their peer group, the fears and mistrust it brings on compounds the issue. Diagnosis in children is sometimes difficult since they often try to mask symptoms. The following questions are a good indicator that the child needs to be evaluated by a professional:

Do you have worries, thoughts, images, feelings, or ideas that bother you?

Do you have to check things over and over again?

Do you have to wash your hands a lot, more than most kids?

Do you count to a certain number or do things a certain number of times?

Do you collect things that others might throw away (like hair or fingernail clippings)?

Do things have to be "just so"?

Are there things you have to do before you go to bed? (Ben-Joseph, 2009)