DC (8) compulsive behaviours

[perfectpanda]

I'm not sure where the best place to post this is. I wondered if anyone has experience? For last few years dd, now 8, has certain behaviours she has to do. Hard to describe, but kind of compulsive. For example, if she touches her leg with her left hand she has to touch her leg with her right hand. If she doesn't, she says she gets tummy ache. It was really bad 3 years ago and she saw camhs for ocd assessment, but referral took so long she was better before we were assessed. I don't think it's ocd and it seems to only bother her at times. But she says she constantly does it. I sometimes wonder if we she ask for her to be seen again or if it is fairly common and something she will grow out of. We have done a self help ocd book several times which helps a lot but it always flares up again after 6 months or so. I'm interested to hear if others know anything about this. Thanks.

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

I do this and always have done and now my DD does it too. I and my DD both suffer from some degree of anxiety and this seems to make us feel more in control.

The times I've had an improvement are when I am deeply engaged in artistic pursuits. Does DD like art?

[perfectpanda]

Thanks for reply. Yes she is very creative and loves art stuff. She always seems to complain about this when she is run down, end of term is very typical. She also has a tendency to tic, which also seems to flare up after illness. These days though, these behaviours don't seem to be associated with anxiety -it was in the past. But maybe it is and she can't verbalise it . I'm posting because she is asking for help with it again and I'm not sure what to do.

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

I also used to tic I didn't get any help but I was otherwise ok...generally happy at school, no issues making friends etc.

I couldnt verbalise my anxiety though...I used to get a bit hyperventialtion about maths and other things which worried me.

Does she talk about her worries with you? Nobody spoke to me about mine because it was the 70s/80s and you just didn;t back then.

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

Meant to say, really encourage the art stuff...it's very good for relaxation.

[perfectpanda]

She is very eloquent and able to talk about worries when she has them. But I'm wondering if this is more that unspecific underlying anxiety feeling that isn't necessarily focused on anything. Funny you mention art, when she was 5/6 I used to feel as though she was compulsively creative! She didn't stop making stuff or writing stuff. But she has really slowed down with all that so maybe she needs it as another outlet. Thanks for your input.

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

I sent my DD to an art class where she could learn new things which were beyond me and also meet like minded children. Brownies was also very good for her.

Avoiding processed food and drink helps a lot too.

[Donhill]

I suffered with OCD for years. I know you say you don't think it is OCD and you are probably right, but maybe some more self help books about OCD might be helpful. They will talk about the anxiety, and ways of resisting the compulsions etc. I found the more I read about OCD the less scared of it I was, and it helped me identify what I was feeling and doing and gradually I was able to put some of the techniques into practice. You already have one, so maybe that's enough. So maybe a self help book about anxiety generally?

[BlackMirror]

Of course it's ocd

[Crumbs1]

It's low level OCD but doesn't appear to impact too badly at moment. The condition may need more support as she gets closer to exam pressures etc.

[perfectpanda]

So I suppose what I want to know is, is it ok to leave low level ocd that isn't having a huge impact at moment? And just use self help methods when it flares. Or would it help to get professional help now. I do anticipate problems further ahead when life becomes more stressful. And l would hate to think there was something we could have done now to prevent that.

[BlackMirror]

Ocd can usually get worse if not treated as it spreads and she'll start doing more things to stop herself 'getting ill' she needs treatment for anxiety, usually cbt is the best kind. If she's not bothered by it sometimes kids grow out of it so jist keep an eye out