Our little guy has OCD it seems and it's hard as a parent

[InBloom]

So our boy who's turning 5 next month is showing signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He'll seem perfectly normal but then walk over to the wall and hit it five times. Then he'll seem normal but if one of his action figures touches another action figure the wrong way, he'll get really upset about it and pick it up and tap it on the ground five times or not want to play with it at all, even go so far as to throw it in the trash.

 

 

We're already seeking help from medical professionals to get him evaluated, it started happening earlier this month so we're concerned.

 

 

Yes he's just had the normal kid fears like 'monster under the bed' or 'fear of the dark' sometimes and some bad dreams but we really don't know what could be bothering him.

 

 

Any other parent experience this?

[amaysngrace]

There's a lot of information out there and ask his doctor to recommend reading material for you to help him by understanding his condition. Maybe join an online support group?

 

On the bright side he will wash his hands....a major peeve of mine that children don't do it nearly enough.

[pioneer]

Im not sure im 100% right on this, but OCD doesn't appear until adolescence. Its extremely unlikely that is what i is imo. Probably just coincidence.

[InBloom]

Im not sure im 100% right on this, but OCD doesn't appear until adolescence. Its extremely unlikely that is what i is imo. Probably just coincidence.

 

 

 

Thanks all,

 

 

Yeah from what I've been reading and researching it is considered OCD behavior but could be linked to anxiety or other things. Anxiety wouldn't totally surprise me, our boy has always been a bit shy and has had dreams about a monsters getting him or dreams about bees stinging him (even though he's never been stung) and wake up in a panic.

 

 

We try (really hard actually) to provide a great living situation for him with positive talk and positive outlooks on life so we're not sure.

[Minnie09]

OCD is a serious condition and develops out of anxiety, as a subconscious coping mechanism. There's nothing funny about OCD - if it really is that - and the patients suffer, as they feel that they're helpless victims of their uncontrollable urges. Like washing hands and such. They KNOW these urges are - eg - unnecessary repetitions of whatever. They know it but can't control them. Not cool. That's gotta be hell.

I have read it does develop in kindergarten age. 5-6 yo.

[pink_sugar]

Im not sure im 100% right on this, but OCD doesn't appear until adolescence. Its extremely unlikely that is what i is imo. Probably just coincidence.

 

I agree. I think my mom noticed some OCD tendencies when I was younger, but it really didn't start to be an issue until adolescence as you mentioned. When I was younger, I obsessed over small things like not having my toys with me...also a LOT of separation anxiety. It's a good thing you are noticing it now. I was never treated for my anxiety and OCD until recently and I'm almost 25.

[Tayla]

My nephew was Mis-diagnosed with this condition at the age of four. Placed on meds and is now age 17. His kidneys are damaged and he has muscle problems due to the years of New wave drugs to curtail his behavior. The reality was and continues to be in the medical field, drug them, simmer them. It was around the age of 14 that a clinitician placed him on a behavior modification and diet restriction, its has aided his overall health, and he has started to be weened from his years of medicinal dependency. I sincerely hope that even with a diagnosis, that you weigh the options out there. 5 is too young to be started on a life of chemical dependency, there really are programs and techniques that can counter balance this current behavior. Unfortunately the western culture wants a quick fix to sustain the person into appearing "normal", whatever that is... I sincerely hope the doctors give an objective resolution.

[littleplanet]

By all means you want to definitely focus on the psychology of the behavior, without the too-often quick-fix approach (which often employs the use of drugs, psychotropic or otherwise.)

 

A good psychologist can often pinpoint the source(s) of the anxiety.

Anxieties in children can often be a normal, natural thing - that can be traced to very specific sources.

Change that, and address it, and the anxiety will often disappear, or at least calm down to manageable levels.

 

Calm, consistence atmosphere and consistent routines help a lot (without over-reacting or focusing on the behaviors.) Just.....a bit of steering the other way.

How does he socialize with other children? Sleep? Meals? Exercise?

Sometimes it's little things - little changes - that can help a lot.

 

As young as he is.....kids sometimes just hit the wall over their own emotions. Scares them. Part of their learning curve.

A good yak with a good evaluator in a non-threatening environment can work wonders. Especially if it is non-clinical as possible.

(Imortant: so that the child doesn't learn that the most important and 'special' thing about him - is a disorder.)

[InBloom]

Thank You Again.

 

 

Helps to talk about it (type about it) and get perspective.

 

 

I definitely would not go the Meds route. It doesn't seem super bad but it is definitely an issue that we want to get to the root of. He seems worried about things that "might" happen a lot of the time, even at 4 years old, even though they haven't happened like Thunder Storms and Lightening - He is scared of lightening lately and is convinced lightening can strike our house at any moment and it bothers him, so he talks about it a lot.

 

 

Me, I've been thinking about him so much and thinking about my Wife's concerns and her having to care for him all day with these new nervous habits ON TOP OF trying to find a good Therapist we feel comfortable with, that I've been forgetful and not "with it" lately at work. I need to stay focused

[littleplanet]

Thank You Again.

 

 

Helps to talk about it (type about it) and get perspective.

 

 

I definitely would not go the Meds route. It doesn't seem super bad but it is definitely an issue that we want to get to the root of. He seems worried about things that "might" happen a lot of the time, even at 4 years old, even though they haven't happened like Thunder Storms and Lightening - He is scared of lightening lately and is convinced lightening can strike our house at any moment and it bothers him, so he talks about it a lot.

 

 

Me, I've been thinking about him so much and thinking about my Wife's concerns and her having to care for him all day with these new nervous habits ON TOP OF trying to find a good Therapist we feel comfortable with, that I've been forgetful and not "with it" lately at work. I need to stay focused

 

 

So very glad to hear that your first choice is to definitely not go the meds route.

(I got into a little trouble in a different thread over that one!)

 

At the age of 4 - his developmental stages are very vulnerable. Much of what is prescribed for children these days is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18, and for good reasons.

 

Anxieties are often a common enough thing in young children.

Until the cognitive capacities catch up - a seeming irrational fear is normal enough.

Like the probability of a lightning strike, the sun going nova.....it can be an endless list.

The laws of probability don't always jive well with a time of life that is absorbed in an endless sense of wonder, magic and miracles.

(I used to get quite concerned about non-existent creepy crawlies under my bed.)

 

Your calmness is one of the biggest things he needs. That stabilizes his young world.

Let him talk. That is far better than frozen silence.

Good therapists are worth their weight in gold. Especially when a child looks upon them as a neutral ally.

(I think my grandfather was mine....)

 

Try not to worry, as best you can.

He's not broken. He's just working through things.

Keep positive (at work and elsewhere.)

Kids are amazingly resilient. Their needs are simple.

Being loved and cared for tops the list.

(but you already know that)

[InBloom]

Everything was a lot easier with my other son from a previous relationship. He turned out to be a very outgoing confident young man and at 14 is a lot smarter than I am.

[Quiet Storm]

I have seen it in kids as young as 5. My friend's son had a bad case of strep, and OCD symptoms started showing up about a month later. He also developed a very mild vocal tic, and was diagnosed OCD and Tourettes.

 

My friend believes it is PANDAS, PANDAS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia an unproven disorder that links strep infection to OCD and sometimes Tourette's symptoms in children.

 

Apparently research is undecided if there is a link (it depends on the study), but she is absolutely convinced because her child was totally symptomless until the strep. She also has found many other parents online who are similarly convinced with the same circumstances- untreated or delayed treatment of strep in a young child, followed by OCD and sometimes Tourette's symptoms.

 

My friend's son was also obsessed with the #5. He would need to have 5 ice cubes in his drink, he'd make her go to checkout line #5 or gas pump #5 or he'd freak out, genuinely worried something bad would happen.

 

He was five when this started and CBT therapy has really helped him. He was not medicated, only the therapy. He is 10 now and can control his obsessions using self talk. For example, he says this when explaining how he overcomes the obsessions- "When my OCD brain tells me to check the lock 5 times or something bad will happen, my Logical brain tells my OCD brain "Shut up. That's irrational. Nothing bad is going to happen."

 

So he has learned to control it using a dialogue in his head- reassuring himself, controlling the "OCD" thoughts, exposing himself to the fear & seeing that nothing bad happened.

 

I think with OCD, many people are logically aware that their thoughts are irrational, but do not know how to redirect or replace those thoughts. Therapy can really help with that, and the sooner you do it the better.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Quiet Storm

[loversquarrel]

I've been diagnosed with OCD. With your son being only 5 Y.O. and what seems like such a sudden onset you may want to have him evaluated for Autism. Some of the behaviors you mention could fall within the spectrum of autistic disorders. Most cases of OCD tend to develop over time, and the behaviors hold a certain meaning behind them and they are linked with anxiety, it is not something that happens over night.

[The Like Fairy]

Could be a magnesium deficiency.

 

Magnesium deficiencies can lead to and/or greatly exacerbate these behaviours.

 

I give my older son a magnesium supplement that we mix into juice, it has helped him alot.

 

There are several brands but we are using Natural Vitality's "Natural Calm", Raspberry Lemon Flavor.

 

We mix it in Gatorade, Lemonade, or Minute Maid brand Watermelon Juice, or any available juice that he likes.

 

Most vitamin supplements don't have enough (or any) magnesium. That's the problem.

 

The calcium/phosphorus/magnesium 3-way balance becomes unbalanced in the body. Magnesium is essential for calm and relaxation.

 

It takes about a week of my son taking it daily before I notice a really big improvement, but sometimes it helps even after a few days.

 

Please, do try this for at least a month and report back.

 

Be sure to read this article:

 

Natural Calm: The Anti Stress Drink

 

*************

 

Additionally, here is a news show clip (20/20) that shows some behavioural therapies that were helpful for children and teens with OCD.

 

They also took medicine, but it didn't say which medicine, I assume an anti-depressant, as some are helpful with OCD.

 

Family Secrets Full Episode: Battling OCD | Video - ABC News

Edited June 8, 2014 by The Like Fairy

[Schooner]

Im not sure im 100% right on this, but OCD doesn't appear until adolescence. Its extremely unlikely that is what i is imo. Probably just coincidence.

 

Not so, it is less common but certainly can appear in young children. My OCD also appeared around age 4. OP, I feel for you and your family. On the positive side, a diagnosis will at least enable you to seek out the right help for him.