What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? With 3 Paths to Recovery

If you’re noticing signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in your child or if they’ve recently been diagnosed with OCD, it can be difficult to know what to do.

This mental illness is often misunderstood because of its representation in the media. It’s often described as simply liking a clean room or keeping things a certain way. Clinical OCD is much more intense than this. It often needs professional intervention for the person to be able to live a normal life.

So, what are the signs and symptoms of OCD in children? How can you help after a diagnosis of childhood OCD? It’s all outlined here.

Signs and Symptoms

The hallmark symptom of OCD is ritualistic behaviors. These ritualistic behaviors are done repeatedly and excessively. Some ritualistic behaviors include washing hands, rechecking items like ovens or door locks, putting things in a particular order, counting the same set of objects, repeating certain words or phrases, or separating food on a dinner plate.

OCD behaviors are different for every individual. This list of behaviors is not exhaustive. Any behavior that is done over and over excessively may be a sign of OCD.

Other emotional symptoms of OCD include:

• Intense worry or fear about having things in a particular order

• Extreme fear of germs, dirt, or bodily waste

• Constant doubts about something being done, like the door being locked or the oven being turned off

• Strong need to have tasks done perfectly

• Compulsion to touch or count objects

• Destructive thoughts

• Lack of self-esteem or self-confidence

• Difficulty concentrating at school or home

• A sense of panic if they aren’t able to perform their rituals exactly as they’d like to

A sufferer of OCD may also experience physical symptoms from their mental state. These include:

• Racing heart

• Headaches or stomachaches

• Shaking and trembling

• Difficulty breathing

• Feelings of weakness

• Intense fatigue

• Sweating

• Difficulty sleeping

When these symptoms begin to interfere with a child’s ability to function normally is when they need professional help.

Risk Factors

Many of the risk factors of OCD are very similar to other anxiety disorders. The four risk factors are predisposition, genes, environment, and biological processes.

Predisposition refers to the fact that some children are less capable of handling stress well and are more prone to anxiety. Genes, or a family history of OCD, make a child more likely to develop the disorder.

Certain environments may be a factor in the development of OCD. Some of these situations include parental divorce, a death in the family, the birth of a sibling, moving, attending a new school, or experiencing trauma.

Specific biological processes have been suspected to be linked to OCD. These processes are an imbalance of serotonin or a strep infection.

Ways to Help Your Child

So, what if you’ve already seen the signs and received a diagnosis of OCD for your child? Here are some steps you can take to help them.

Learn More

It’s very difficult to help someone with an issue that you do not understand. So, learning more is the first step.

OCD Awareness Week is fast approaching. In 2022, it will be celebrated from October 9th to the 15th. The International OCD Foundation hosts the event, providing videos to watch and events to participate in.

The theme this year is The Road to Reclaiming Your Life. This theme encompasses the idea that with the right treatment and support from those around a person, full recovery from OCD is possible.

Learning more about OCD is beneficial for everyone–not just those suffering from the disease. Understanding better the experiences of those with OCD gives us compassion and ways to help them succeed.

All events are free, and you can click here to check it out.

Speak to a Mental Health Professional


The first line of treatment for OCD is most often therapy. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in particular is very effective in treating OCD.

CBT helps a child recognize what their thought patterns are and how those thought patterns may be affecting their behavior. By changing their thoughts, they are able to change their actions.

When treating compulsive behaviors, CBT often employs Exposure Response Prevention. This technique supports children while they face their fear of not giving in to compulsive urges. Children slowly work through more and more difficult and scary scenarios. Eventually, they can resist engaging in all of their previous compulsive behaviors.

This approach, while effective, takes a lot of work. It can help if children can see that the hard work is worth it. My upcoming book, Khloe Kitten Is Afraid of Germs!, does just that.

Khloe Kitten experiences compulsive urges around germs, like many of those who suffer from OCD do. She wants to go down the slide like all her other friends do, but she has too much fear. She employs Graded Exposure to slowly expose herself to germs and overcome her fear and behavior.

As your child works through a stepladder approach in therapy, they will be able to see themselves in Khloe Kitten. They may be working on different compulsive behaviors, but they will recognize her feelings and fear.

A child will know that if Khloe Kitten can do it, they can do it too. They also may better understand what their therapist is asking them to do.

Also, each book comes with an About Anxiety page, a Coping Strategies page, and a Stepladder page for parents. Each page will equip you with more information to help your child.

A therapist may also employ other strategies of CBT to help your child. These could include role-playing exercises, teaching positive self-talk, introducing relaxation techniques, and talking through how their thoughts or fears are irrational. Your therapist will create a unique treatment plan for your child.

Medication

If various types of therapy don’t bring enough relief for your children, medication may be a helpful option. Anti-anxiety medications should only be used under the supervision of a pediatrician and psychologist.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be frustrating and confusing for children and parents alike. However, with the right treatment and support, it’s possible for most children with OCD to lead a productive life.

To learn more information about various mental health illnesses in childhood, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or check out my podcast, Genius Little Minds.

References

1. https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/How-to-Help-Your-Child-A-Parents-Guide-to-OCD.pdf

2. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/o/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-in-children.html

3. https://childadolescentpsych.cumc.columbia.edu/professionals/research-programs/y-team/ocd-treatment

4. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

5. https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/59075/neurology/obsessive-compulsive-symptoms-can-manifest-through-adhd

‍ ‍

3 Things to Do if You're Raising an Anxious Child

The past couple of years have been hard on all of us. But if you’re a parent, you’re a real hero. Working and parenting from home—all while tackling crippling pandemic anxiety—has become the new norm for many people.

And your children are likely feeling anxious too. They may not use the exact phrase “I’m anxious,” but the pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone.  And they probably don’t even have the words to describe exactly what they’re feeling.

So it’s up to you to notice and tackle the issue head on.

Is the question, “Mom, what if…?” followed by the disaster of the day on repeat in your household?

No matter how many ways you assure them they’re safe—does their brain still get on an anxiety loop of worst-case scenarios?

And are you struggling to soothe them when their fear or worry becomes overwhelming?

Navigating a childhood anxiety disorder can be really taxing.

There are only so many ways you can assure your child they’re okay. When their brain gets on an anxiety loop of “what if… what if… what if…” it can feel impossible to flip the switch.

So how do you help them cope when you’re hanging on by a thread yourself?

You start with learning the signs and symptoms.

Signs of Anxiety in Children

Anxiety in children can look and sound different than anxiety in adults.

So What Does Childhood Anxiety Actually Look Like?

• Crying spells

• Frequent stomachaches and/or headaches

• Being unwilling to go to school or attend social events with peers

• Being afraid that something bad will happen to you or other loved ones

• Changes in mood, sleeping and eating habits or behavior

 
Symptoms vary from disorder to disorder. That’s why seeking professional evaluation and treatment is so necessary and important.

Should I Be Worried About My Child’s Anxiety?

It’s completely normal for children to be anxious or worried sometimes. They are human, after all! Just like you and me, sometimes they get scared or nervous when facing a new challenge, meeting new people, or being in an unfamiliar environment.

But when a child has an anxiety disorder, they feel extreme fear and worry. And the anxiety they feel is disproportionate to the situation at hand. It might feel impossible for them to relax because their worry is so pervasive. Their “fight or flight” response is activated even when there isn’t any real danger present. And they might have symptoms that show they aren’t coping with their fear and stress very well.

Your child may try to hide their anxiety from you due to shame, fear, or just not knowing what’s going on inside their own body and brain. Try to cultivate a sense of safety so they share their feelings and experiences with you.

If your child’s anxiety is so severe they feel physically ill, don’t want to go to school, have trouble focusing on schoolwork, and you’re unable to soothe them, then you may want to seek professional help.

Anxiety disorders in children and teens are actually quite common. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 children in the US (1) and between 5 and 19% of children and adolescents in the UK have an anxiety disorder. (2)

If you suspect your child has an anxiety disorder, try not to stress yourself out. “Disorder” is not a dirty word! And even if your child has a diagnosable anxiety disorder, it doesn’t mean they’re doomed.

What Causes Childhood Anxiety?

There are a number of factors that contribute to children developing anxiety disorders.

Genetics

This may be hard to hear, but just like your child might have inherited your hair and eye color, they might have also inherited your anxiety. Children of parents with an anxiety disorder can be as much as seven times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder themselves. (8)

Not all children with anxious family members will develop anxiety.

But a 2016 literature review found that panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder are linked to specific genes. (5)

And predispositions to neuroticism, shyness, conscientiousness and low extraversion also tend to be associated with anxiety. (6)

Most researchers will tell you that genes play a part in a child developing clinical anxiety. But remember, you’re also a hero and role model! When your child sees you coping and using healthy strategies to deal with your anxiety, they learn that anxiety is manageable. Together, you can reduce worries, implement self-care routines, and make healthy choices.

Biology and Brain Chemistry

Biology can also play a role—sometimes children’s dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters can get out of whack. Consulting with your child’s healthcare provider can help rule out or hone in on any imbalances that need to be addressed.

Anxiety and depression often present simultaneously, so be sure to keep an eye out for depressive symptoms in your child as well. In children and teens, depression may present as irritability. (7) Stay tuned for the upcoming podcast episode with more information on childhood depression and how you can help your child overcome it.

Environmental Factors

A child’s environment also plays a role in how anxious they are. Stressful living situations, major life changes, the death of a loved one, or family problems can make a child’s anxiety skyrocket.

Life can be stressful—that’s just a reality we all have to face. But do your best to come up with a plan with your child before a stressful event so they know what to expect.

And the more you can cope with your own stress and show support as your child learns age-appropriate ways to manage their anxiety, the better.

How Can I Help My Anxious Child?

Calming an anxious child is no easy feat.

Finding a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders can be extremely helpful. Early detection and intervention can help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve your child’s quality of life. (3)

The best thing you can do is seek out professional help sooner rather than later. Licensed mental health professionals specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exposure Therapy are a great place to start. They can also provide training on what you as a parent or caretaker can do to help your child take small steps toward conquering their fears.

Here are 3 steps you can take to help your anxious child today.

1.    Seek Out Professional Help

Therapy is safe and non-invasive. But it does require a medium to long-term commitment of weekly sessions. And those can range from a few months to over a year of treatment, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is usually the first line of treatment for anxiety disorders, though in some cases medication is also useful. CBT is a form of talk therapy based on the idea that unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors can be changed into more realistic thoughts—which in turn has a positive effect on feelings and behavior. (4)  

Under the CBT umbrella there are two therapeutic interventions that are particularly useful for treating anxiety:

• Graded Exposure Therapy: With a stepladder approach, children are slowly and systematically exposed to the thing they fear, reducing their anxiety symptoms.

• Exposure Response Prevention Therapy: This is the CBT-based therapy of choice for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It helps children with OCD face their fears while refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors.

2.    Read Therapeutic Books Together

In addition to therapy, reading therapeutic books together can help your child understand their anxiety. Through storytelling and beautiful illustrations, your child will learn to overcome their fear-based behaviors.

The book series I’m Afraid, which is based on Graded Exposure Therapy, demonstrates that it is possible for children to manage their anxiety.

They’ll find themselves identifying with Sophia Swan Who’s Afraid of Water, Charlie Cub Who’s Afraid to Leave His Mother, or Khloe Kitten Who’s Afraid of Germs. These beautiful stories bring your child’s lived experience to the page. At the end of each story, they’ll see fears are conquerable. Pre-order my therapeutic book series about childhood anxiety disorders today!

3.    Learn More About Childhood Anxiety Disorders

By learning about what your child is going through, you’ll be better equipped to help them cope. Children often have a hard time finding the words to express their anxiety. So being cognizant of the physical signs and behaviors is so important.

Listen to my two-part Childhood Anxiety Disorders series on my podcast, Genius Little Minds, where I unpack 8 anxiety disorders and how they present in children.

Listen here:

Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Part One – My Child Cries When I Go to Work! And Other Anxious Tendencies

Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Part Two – My Child is Afraid of Messes! And Other Anxious Tendencies

And don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with the latest in children’s mental health!

References

1. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Facts & Statistics. 2014. http://www​.adaa.org/about-adaa​/press-room/facts-statistics.

2. (2020, September). Anxiety Disorders in Children. NHS Inform. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/anxiety-disorders-in-children

3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Boston Children’s Hospital. https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/g/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

4. (2017, July). What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral

5. (2019, June). Is Anxiety Genetic? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/is-anxiety-genetic#symptoms

6. Personality Traits Associated With Anxiety. Brainsway. https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/personality-traits-associated-with-anxiety/

7. The Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression. Hartgrove Behavioral Health System. https://www.hartgrovehospital.com/relationship-anxiety-depression/

8. (2020, August). Does Anxiety Run in Families? UNC Healthtalk. https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/does-anxiety-run-in-families/