Though often mistaken as a rare occurrence among children who are habitually misdiagnosed with other mental illnesses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder or depression, OCD occurs in approximately 1% of all children. In addition, adults who have been diagnosed with OCD later in life have experience or exhibit OCD symptoms during their childhood years.
OCD in children
So what is OCD? OCD is one type of anxiety disorder where children may ve preoccupied with something dangerous, harmful, dirty or wrong. There are also frequent thoughts that bad things might happen.
The scary and uncontrolled thoughts or images …show more content…
However, recent researches and studies showed a better understanding of the disorder and its possible causes. Some experts believed that the obsessive-compulsive behaviour stems from levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the body. Neurotransmitters are the ones that are responsible for carrying signals to the …show more content…
It will send false alarm which will incorrectly trigger a message of danger. Instead of filtering the incorrect message, the brain will dwell on it and push the child to develop unrealistic fears and doubts on himself, and the surroundings.
Genetics also play a role in the causes of this particular mental disorder. There is a strong evidence that OCD can run in families. People who are diagnosed with OCD cases have one or more fafmilu members who suffer the same or have any other anxiety disorders related to serotonin levels. Though having a family member with OCD does not mean that you also have it, your risk of acquiring the disorder increases. An illness or some event which may cause you stress can trigger OCD symptoms to those who are genetically predisposed to it.
What are the symptoms of OCD in kids?
There are different symptoms of OCD in children depending on what worries them the most, and how they choose to act on it. the list below only focuses on some OCD behaviors that your child may manifest, but please take note that OCD behaviors are not limited to the ones listed below:
OBSESSION: Fear of contamination or germs