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Dr Alasdair Wright talks about children and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Dr Alasdair Wright says?
Dr Alasdair Wright talks about children and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
My nine year-old son is healthy but he has a set pattern before going to bed. He checks all the windows in the house are closed and doesn't let anyone say a word to him after he has said his prayers. I have been reading your feature about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, should I worry?
Dr Alasdair Wright says?
It's normal for children to have certain routines that they perform before going to bed - tidying up, getting undressed and brushing their teeth for example - but when the child feels they have to perform these activities in a certain way, or they are prolonged and in a set order, then this can be a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Mornings can be particularly difficult. The child often feels they have to perform a number of rituals in a certain way before leaving the house and, if these are not done, then they feel anxious and worry about things going wrong. Most affected children suffer with the condition only in a mild form. This is an inconvenience because things take longer to get done but occasionally OCD can cause more serious problems, such as poor school performance and mental exhaustion.
OCD tends to get worse during times of stress - pending school tests, teasing from other children or illness in a family member, for example. The condition often improves once stressful times have passed, or after particular problems have been sorted out, but if things appear to be getting worse rather than better, it would be worthwhile consulting your GP. There are a number of ways you can help your child.
Give understanding, support and help with identification and tackling of potential stressors.
Use a reward system in which the child receives a positive response or a reward for modification of their routines to help break the cycle.
Refer to a child psychologist, if necessary; children with OCD respond well to a behavioural treatment called "cognitive therapy" in which the child is taught simple ways to deal with their compulsions.
In more severe cases, certain medications can be helpful but these tend to work best in combination with cognitive therapy. Your GP will advise you on possible treatments.
