Anxiety

In my last post, I talked about the criteria one needs to meet in order to be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, this anxiety disorder can be harder to recognize in children. Children may be able to recognize that they think differently than other people, but they may be confused and embarrassed about their thought patterns, and try to cover them up as a result.

What makes the situation harder to understand for parents and teachers is that a child’s symptoms may change over time. A child may also exhibit more symptoms during times of stress and fewer symptoms in times he or she is not experiencing a lot of stress. Furthermore, parents may be apt to think their children or teens are just being willful or stubborn, not that their child has an anxiety disorder.

According to Massachusetts General Hospital, the symptoms of OCD may be more disturbing at home than they are at school. A child who may have OCD can portray any combination of the following symptoms at home:

-Obsessions and/or compulsions that consume a child’s time: A child who may have OCD will spend a lot of time and energy worrying about his or her anxieties and acting upon their compulsions.

For instance, a child who is afraid of germs may go to great lengths to not touch almost anything. A teen who is afraid of getting sick might spend a lot of time cleaning and sanitizing things.

-Signs of distress when behavior is interrupted: Children may throw a temper tantrum if a parent commands the child to stop the behavior or to do something else.

-Fear that they are crazy: As I stated above, a child might know he or she thinks differently than others. This may result in low self-esteem or expressed worry about what other people think about him or her.

-Obsessive thinking: This may be a difficult one for parents or teachers to recognize. A child who has obsessions not only worries about things, but they often worry excessively about things that are illogical. If a child is asked if he or she worries about something a lot, he or she may deny it because one is embarrassed about one’s anxieties.

-Repetitive actions to avoid their fears: For instance, a child who is afraid of becoming severely ill might keep their room especially clean. A teen who fears germs may spend a lot of time washing their hands in the bathroom. Children and teens may also deny that they are doing these things when asked about them because they may feel embarrassed about them.

-Attempts to hide their fears and behaviors: A child or teen with OCD might go to great lengths to hide their fears and behaviors. They are often embarrassed or confused about them.

-Difficulty explaining compulsions: Sometimes, children or teens will not be able to explain why they feel they must repeat their behaviors over and over again.

-An inability to stop obsessions and compulsions: If a parent or teacher discovers the child’s worry, he or she may reassure the child, but the child is unable to stop worrying or engaging in the repetitive behaviors.

If you are a parent or other caregiver and notice these signs and symptoms in a child you know, especially within the home, you should seek professional help for your child. OCD can be treated, and the quality of life becomes better for children who have received help for this anxiety disorder.

Teachers may also notice certain signs and symptoms of OCD in children at school, which I will discuss in my next post.

Please tell me what you think in the comments section below!

Source:

Massachusetts General Hospital: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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