Symptoms of OCD in Children

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which a child engages in ritual behaviors over and over again in order to satisfy persistent worries about something. Environmental factors and stress can trigger symptoms, which typically start at adolescence.

The Facts

• One in 100 children suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. The age at which the disorder appears is usually around 10 years old, although children as young as 2 or 3 have demonstrated symptoms.

Significance

• OCD is difficult to diagnose and treat in children because children attempt to hide their symptoms. In fact, they usually are not aware that their reactions constitute irrational behavior.

Signs

• Notify a medical specialist if children demonstrate these behaviors: fear of harm or danger to oneself or a loved one, perfectionism, persistent fear of illness, constant need for symmetry and order, showing aggressive/sexual thoughts, or having religious fixations.

Symptoms

• Symptoms include: worrying about dirtiness or sinfulness, doing things over and over again for no apparent reason, rough and red hands from excessive hand-washing, creating holes on paper from too much erasing, hoarding or collecting junk, showing inflexibility or throwing tantrums when a ritual is interrupted, or seeking repeated assurances from adults about safety.

Warning

• Any of the symptoms above that take more than one hour of the child's day to the point that they disrupt normal behavior can indicate OCD.