A 5 yr old starting to perform rituals

[Thomcat]

I am a bit worried about my 5 year old, maybe a bit overly worried but thought the best thing I could do for now would be to trash out these worries with Mumsnetters.

In the last week I have noticed my 5 year old tap her cheeks, then cross her arms at the wrist and tap again and then, i think because she does it quickly, she taps again with uncrossed arms.

The reason I'm possibly overworried about this is because my 36 yr old sister has HORRIFIC OCD and has had it since she was 3, really bad since she was 13. It's the sort of OCD that prevents her working, going out, having friends.... or a life sad

Last night I spoke to DD2 about this, very gently, asking her, in a smiley way how it made her feel when she did this and did she have nay other little thigns she liked to do like this.

She showed me how she liked to pull her top down, 2 tugs to each side, cross arms and tug again etc and then she showed me how she likes to click her teeth together in little multiples in a certain way and how each set of teeth tapping together has a colour code or something.

I told her it was ok, that it was fine and that I had a funny little thing about colouring in when I was little and assured her not to worry about telling me this stuff etc.

I've made an appt to go and see my GO next week to talk about if there is anything I should or shouldn't do.

Meanwhile, anyone else with experience of this.
Am paranoid she'll end up with OCD as bad as my sister and I already have a child with additional needs.
It's that time of the month for me so probably extra emotional but can NOT stop crying!

Awww OP I think you've done the right thing. You may be hyper sensitive, it may be completely regular but I think, until you're satisfied, you must pursue it.

I've no experience of this but I'm sure someone else will come along.

Thanks Posies

I think you did the right thing too, Thomcat.

I noticed the same thing with my DD when she was young, but thought I was making too much of it, until recently at 15 years old, I discovered her crying and after some time, she finally admitted that she couldn't stop herself from doing certain actions, like moving her arms or legs in a certain way, to stop something bad from happening. It was starting to control her life and she didn't know what to do.

DD is seeing a psychologist now and doing cognitive behavour therapy. The psychologist said that the earlier you can deal with it, more of the chance that it can be overcome. It's early days, but at least DD's mood has improved significantly.

The psychologist also said that everyone has a level of compulsive behviour, such as, checking the lock twice, even though you know it's locked, etc. And with children, the awe of magic or fantasy often has a prominent influence in their lives, "if I turn off this light twice at night, the monsters won't get me" sort of thing.

So, just because your daughter displays this behaviour, doesn't mean she will turn out like your sister. What I see as encouraging about your situtation is that you are seeking help and the impressive way that you spoke to your daughter about it, without any sense of judgement, keeping the lines of communication open.

Good luck and let me know what you find out, because that would help me too.

Thanks so much everythingheadedsouth xxxxx