5 yo dd compulsvie hand washing

[OnaPromise]

DD is 5. We've only really noticed this in the last few weeks but it is escalating. She is going to wash her hands more often than is normal, rather than standing there for ages washing. We've spoken to her about it and said she only need to do it after going to toilet and before eating. Now she is making things up, like just now said she was going upstairs to find a toy, but in fact it was to go up to the bathroom to wash her hands. Or she says she needs the toilet when we are out, and she doesn't she just wants to get to a sink. She says she is worried about germs and seems unable to control it - I'm worried about it getting worse. She has no SEN.

Any advice please?

How worrying for you.
I would suggest a chat with the GP - on your own - for some guidance on how to handle it, and possibly where you could be referred to those who specialise.

Can you pin down the onset to any particular event?

Ds1 went through this. I kept an eye on it and did consider the go buy it has calmed down.
His stemmed from a cartoon at nursery about hand washing and nasty germs. Think it went a bit far and he is a bit of a worrier anyway.

I went through a phase of doing this at exactly the same age. I didn't have the insight as to why but I was very anxious about something (nothing sinister) and couldn't recognise my feelings.
Is everything ok? Is she happy at school? Might be worth a little chat to explore what she is thinking about and what she thinks will happen if she doesn't wash her hands.
If it continues I second talking to a health visitor or GP.

DD3 is 4 and has suddenly got acutely aware of germs - I think perhaps they just take on board the hygiene talks a little too much.

Could you get a bottle of hand rub and tell her that unless she's done a poo or a wee/getting ready to have dinner/obviously dirty hands, then if she's worried about germs she can use some hand rub?

It might just be enough to break the cycle.

It could be a simple as enjoying the feeling of soap in her hands, though.

Thank you. She has just started school this year. She says she likes school and didn't want to break up for the holidays, so I think she is happy there.

I've had a chat and she can't pinpoint anything which is worrying her beyond having germs on her hands and getting ill. If it carries on I'll ask the gp about it. Since the chat she's been telling me that she wants to wash her hands but is then saying to herself that she doesn't need to. The compulsion is there worryingly often though.

It's good to know that some have had it and subsequently calmed down.

Thanks again

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Sorry, phone!
If it carries on i would also suggest reading books on the subject. The techniques for battling the compulsion and anxiety are all in the various books that there are. I wouldn't make her read them or anything, but you read them so you can make practical suggestions to her (in child appropriate way). It may also help your anxiety, so you feel you can help in some way.
But I doubt it will carry on. For the moment just try not to fight it too much, as it makes the whole thing more pressurised for her (and the more you try and stop doing these things, the more you start wanting to do them), but as someone suggested up thread, get some anti bac hand stuff and see if you can break the habit in a non pressurised way.

The compulsion is worrying- especially the telling herself not to (unless she's saying that because she thinks it will make you happy?). My DS went through a short hygienic phase (scrubbing the floor etc; and washing things) which he felt a need to do for sure, and that died down after about eight months but it was very worrying at the time.

Might it be an idea to do some 'messy' things over Christmas. Playdo, painting, planting bulbs?

To reinforce the idea that we don't need to be absolutely clean all the time.

Thanks for suggestions. We're going to paint this morning actually. Although i don't think it's mess so much as germs. I suggested to her that she could help me clean up after the dog on his walk, which she seemed quite keen on saying she would be on 'pet patrol' (she loves the dog). Not sure if this is a step too far though? But maybe if I take some hygiene rub out out with us?