Possible OCD in 4 year old? Clothes

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Hi, I am not sure this is the right place to post but I would be grateful for any advice.

I have a DD 4 years who has always been particular about clothes - think seems in socks, tights etc. She started to hate wearing tights saying they were uncomfortable. Then with pants she kept saying they were uncomfortable. In the past 3 weeks, we cannot leave the house before she adjusts her pants, 5, 6, 7 times. Now I notice she has a little ritual she takes down pants counts to 10 or 20 puts it back up. And almost immediately finds it uncomfortable again.

I bought her the shorts types pants because I read they were meant to be more comfortable but it has made no difference. At first, I just said, take your time, I know is not your fault you feel uncomfortable. But it's just become more of an issue, always adjusting and now the little rituals. Maybe this is not the best approach?

Has anyone come across this? How can I help her best? thank you

Just wanted to say that you sound like an incredible mum.
My daughter had the same issue, to the point it would stop us from getting out. It lasted about 2 months and then it got better, it morphed into just wanting to wear the same outfit and all the edges of the sleeves( all long sleeves and leggings) need to be aligned. Looking back, mine and my partner’s stress would aggravate it.

If you can help it, try not to worry or imagine bad scenarios. I was getting so worried that I couldn’t think about anything else. Imagining we would need help, but dreading having to do assessments, visits to therapists etc.

What helped me was to try and take some pressure off myself. Rather than trying to fix it( as I assume it was my fault in the first place somehow) I tried to take my mind off it, take a few hours off doing something I like, when she played with her dad. Unless you feel alarmed and want to get help asap, waiting and observing is a good option. Things can calm down, she working through it and might find a good solution herself:)

We had lots of problems with DD that sound familiar - sensory issues since she was little (socks and shoes mainly, and then tight clothes/jeans etc) which got worse and worse, until ages 6 or 7 her clothing choices were limited to just one set of joggers/tshirt. She got to the point where she would have panic attacks if we tried to get her dressed, or if her hair didn't feel right or if she had a blocked nose. So distressing, but luckily no rituals or OCD behaviour (although it's all so linked - I think there's a case for saying that the "just right" feeling is OCD). She ended up with an ASD and ADHD diagnosis. Spent a summer naked and with no demands, and she gradually built up her confidence with clothes again. We also got a private prescription for medication and she's much calmer and able to deal with her sensory issues. PM if you want more details!

this so perfectly describes my dd, though she also hasOCD and tics. On long long waiting list for assessment. My main battle just now is with her sleep- you know how we all sometimes jerk ourselves awake when falling asleep? Well she seems to jerk her arms or legs every 10 mins all night long. And wakes yawning after 11 hours as she clearly hasn’t managed any “deep” sleep. does anyone else have experience of this? GP says they can’t prescribe melatonin which may (?) help and she needs to be seen by a psychologist but it’s a long wait away. Just feel really helpless 😢

@dancinginthedark123 can you see a private psychologist or psychiatrist? Or even a paediatrician? A private paediatrician at our local private hospital was able to prescribe melatonin - we did then have to pay for each prescription but have not had that moved over to the GP via the shared care arrangements so no longer costs us anything.

Do you think melatonin would help the disturbed sleep? I’ve no experience of it other than I know it helps you fall asleep but with my DD she falls asleep fine as is tired, it’s just she jerks / twitches all night long so never seems to get into a deep sleep ☹️

No idea! Have you tried magnesium? That's means to be good for twitching and spasms.

Tried magnesium, more exercise in day, less exercise in day, full tummy, less than full tummy, relaxing bath and book, you name it, nothing works 😞

My DD sleeps better with a weighted blanket. She was more in the category of hard to fall asleep though - mostly fine once asleep. But she does find it comforting.