By Anna Scetinina, MACP, RP, author of A Workbook for Kids Who Worry
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in kids shows up as recurrent and persistent intrusive thoughts of various nature and repetitive physical and mental behaviors (compulsions) in response to those thoughts. OCD causes distress and physical discomfort, such as increased heart rate, nausea, feeling hot or cold, muscle tension, and more.
As a therapist working mainly with clients who have anxiety and OCD, I see kids as young as 7-8 years old struggling with intrusive thoughts and engaging in ritualized behaviors. Though science can’t pinpoint what exactly causes OCD, multiple research studies show that genes play a significant role in OCD development, that there is an imbalance in neurotransmitters, and that stressful situations can trigger OCD. However, OCD can also occur without a family history of OCD and stressful life experiences. This debilitating disorder can impact the life of a child and family significantly and, indeed, if left unaddressed, can quickly worsen.
If your child has OCD symptoms, it’s essential to know that you’re not alone. OCD affects approximately 1 out of 200 children (AACAP, 2023). In Canada, about 18,500 children meet the diagnostic criteria for OCD (Schwartz et al., 2022). Research also shows that OCD can show up early in life. It affects about 25% of boys before age 10 and affects about 25% of all OCD sufferers before 14 years of age (Schwartz et al., 2022). Supporting your child early in dealing with OCD symptoms is crucial for not letting this disorder negatively impact their social and academic functioning and their well-being.
Kids with OCD may obsessively worry about:
- Something terrible happening to them or their loved ones
- Hurting others
- Being a bad person
- Their health
- Germs or chemicals
- Disturbing thoughts of s€xual nature
- Things being done the right way and things being symmetrical
- Purpose of life
- Death
- Doing things perfectly
- Throwing away things
- Being responsible for something bad happening
- ‘Unlucky’ numbers or words
- Something that happened in the past
OCD makes kids do compulsions or rituals, such as:
- Seek reassurance and try to self-reassure
- Ruminate, overthink, and analyze situations and feared possibilities
- Engage in compulsive checking of assignments, doors, locks, etc.
- Avoid certain situations or specific things
- Avoid saying or writing particular words and/or numbers
- Redo things over and over again
- Googling things they worry about
OCD can affect kids’:
- Academic performance
- Social interactions
- Physical and emotional well-being
- Interest and engagement in activities
- Family life
- Sleep
To help your child cope with their OCD symptoms, you can:
- Seek evidence-based therapy for OCD (ACT, CBT, ERP, I-CBT).
- Use self-help resources, such as A Workbook for Kids Who Worry, which can equip your child with tools, strategies, and insights to help them cope with their OCD and become psychologically flexible.
- Get knowledgeable about how to support a child with OCD without inadvertently worsening their symptoms.
- Join a free online group for parents of children with OCD, where you can connect with other parents, share experiences, and learn from each other’s journey.
References:
AACAP. (2023, October). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In Children And Adolescents. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-In-Children-And-Adolescents-060.aspx
Schwartz, C., Barican, J., Yung, D., Gray-Grant, D., & Waddell, C. (2022). Helping children with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, 16(1), 1–20. Vancouver, BC: Children’s Health Policy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University