While obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as a mere obsession with neatness, this disorder is far more serious than wanting things to be orderly and tidy. OCD is a mental health condition that is characterized by intense and recurring thoughts, excessive and repetitive behaviors, or both.
Symptoms can develop at any point in a person’s life, but they usually begin some time between late childhood and young adulthood. These symptoms vary in intensity from person to person. While some may experience mild symptoms, others may suffer from time-consuming and repetitive behaviors that severely disrupt their everyday life.
Our team at Just 4 Kids is passionate about helping children with OCD regain control of their lives. We offer therapy to treat this disorder and teach children strategies for managing their symptoms.
Children with OCD struggle with intrusive thoughts and worries that can lead to strong feelings of anxiety. This often drives them to act in ways that will ease their stress, performing rituals that help settle these unwanted fears in their minds.
OCD can turn into a cycle of experiencing unwanted thoughts, performing rituals in an attempt to combat them, then repeating the cycle as the thoughts return. During times of stress, symptoms can become even worse.
This disorder can lead to guilt and shame, as it can be difficult for children to understand that OCD thoughts are not their fault. It is important to teach children about their OCD symptoms and to help them see that they are not responsible for these unwanted thoughts.
Obsessions can be persistent and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images. They often appear when a person is attempting to think or do something else, and they can become very disruptive.
Common types of obsessions include:
On the other hand, compulsions can include things that children do and things that they avoid. For example, a child who has a contamination obsession might have a compulsion to excessively wash their hands and a compulsion to avoid any surfaces that they deem unsanitary.
Some examples of common compulsions are as follows:
While it can be harder to notice obsessions, becoming aware of compulsions can help parents recognize OCD signs in children.
Signs you should be on the lookout for:
OCD symptoms can be very distressing to children, especially when they feel guilty or responsible. Various treatment options are available to help children understand that OCD is not their fault and learn how to combat their symptoms.
Through cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and mindfulness exercises, children can challenge thought patterns and learn coping strategies.
Some children need medication in order to help combat their symptoms. Speaking with a professional can help you determine what is best for your child.
At Just 4 Kids, we believe that physical and mental health are interconnected. Our approach to mental health combines physical and mental healing in order to optimize the health of your child.
Our team is here to support your family every step of the way as we treat your child’s symptoms of OCD.
We provide support for OCD through:
Learn more about Just 4 Kids and how we can help treat children’s mental health challenges
OCD can be extremely challenging for both children and parents, and we are here to offer support, guidance, and advice. For expert support and kid-friendly professional mental health services in Eastern Idaho, call (208) 534-7881 and schedule an appointment for your child now. We have same-day availability and are eager to help your child feel better.
(208) 534-7881
