OCD in Children

[Clocito]

i am starting to worry my ds1 has OCD
ive been to the dr about it already but that was just due to the compulsive toilet trips and i was worried he was diabetic but he tested negative for that but its getting worse and worse. one time he went to pee and i told him to wash his hands and he got in to a an argument about it and so my dh shouted at him so he went back to the bathroom washed his hands
and then had to pee and then rewashed his hands
and then had to pee...i had to go in there to pull him out of his cycle
and also he practically has a panic attack if his shoes aren't tied in this particular way....can anyone help, advise, etc??

I think you should go back to your GP and tell him/her what you have written in your OP. Ask for a referral to a developmental paediatrician or to CAMHs.

While you are waiting for an appointment because there will be a waiting list, start a diary. Record all incidents of unusual/obsessive behaviour, what caused it [if you know] and how you deal with it.

Also come over to the special needs children board, there are some people over there with children with OCD. It is very friendly and a safe place to ask questions without being judged.

Does he have any other issues eg with social skills or communication?

Just asking because sometimes Aspergers and high functioning autism can look a bit like OCD.

good luck

I have OCD and as an adult acknowledging the condition in myself, I realised that it had been just as prevailent in my behaviour as a child and in fact my earliest memories are of behaviours I had which I know now were as a result of OCD. It is very frustrating as a child knowing that you're not the same as everyone else but not being able to understand why or stop. My parents had no idea and still don't even now, although friends, colleagues and partners have picked up on it over the years. I don't have any advice to give other than to tread carefully. Lots of people seem to think it's hilarious and quite acceptable to take the piss out of OCD behaviours but it's something I've felt ashamed and embarrassed about my whole life. This actually is the first time I've ever 'spoken' about it. I'm not suggesting that you would take the piss out of your own son of course OP, what I mean is it's very misunderstood and I wish that I'd had someone protecting me and helping to guide me through it.

thanks Ineedmorepatience i'll go to the special needs children board.
thanks for the advice about Apergers/Autism too

DifferentNow thanks so much, it's hard not to feel exasperated when i cant get him to get dressed for preschool as every time i ask him to get dressed he leaves the room to pee. we were 30 mins late for preschool and during "circle time" he had to pee 4 times. i go between feeling of anger and fear and sadness every time he pees and hearing from you makes me think i need to control my feelings as they are not helping. He's started to add saying "i love you" every time he comes back from peeing too which makes me worried too, do you have any insight into why that has started?

No insight I'm afraid although I'm sure that health professionals will have some theories to offer up. I have 4 DC and am quite an impatient person and can relate to your feelings of exasperation just as a mother. Being a parent is hard and we all wonder if we're doing the right thing and feel guilty at times. Don't be hard on yourself.

My second child's behaviour stands out as being much worse than the other 3 who are generally very well behaved. This is often interpreted as naughtiness. Perhaps that's just what it is but I've always felt it was something more. Because I have a frame of reference in the others, it's easy to see the stark differences in their behaviour and they've all been parented the same.

She drives me nuts and we have been at our wits end many times over the years (she is 8 and has ALWAYS been like this) but with her, I have learned just to try very hard to accept her for who she is even though I don't understand her. I think she struggles herself with the way she acts, I don't want to add to these difficult feelings and want her to know that I love her unconditionally. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy though!

Do you have other children Clocito? Sometimes kids just develop little quirks and as I'm sure you'll know, habits in children can be hard to break. Whatever the issue, or not, is, it sounds as though your son is aware that his behaviour is causing anxiety by the fact that he's started telling you he loves you after repeating a behaviour.

Has he mentioned having dark or worrying thoughts e.g. about him dying, harm coming to others, them dying etc. The dark thoughts are characteristic of OCD - this is the obsessive part of the disorder as it were. These thoughts can be overwhelming and totally encompassing: have you noticed a down turn in his school work/ability to focus/etc. Anything which suggests his mind is on other things? Obsessive thoughts cannot be controlled or prevented by the OCD sufferer. The compulsions - repetitive behaviours - are the things done to reduce anxiety and, as you have noted, it is possible for the sufferer to get locked into a cycle of compulsive behaviour which they need to be redirected from. If he is able to articulate his thoughts it might help you to understand what is going on if you can discuss with him if he is having thess 'dark thoughts' (not to be mistaken for or feared as being suicidal thoughts by the way) and how he feels about his compulsive actions. Good luck.

I'm a CAMHS clinician. Your DS sounds very anxious, OP. Please go back to the GP, describe all his anxious / repetitive behaviours and ask for a referral to CAMHS.