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Home › Articles › Health › Overwhelmed by OCD

Overwhelmed by OCD

Helping Kids Who Can't Stop

By Judi Bailey

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Medication Issues
In order to reduce anxiety and more easily regain behavioral control, many clinicians include medication. "We as a culture view giving mind-altering substances to children as bad," says Dr. Johnston. "Caution is good, but to make the decision to put a child on medication, you need to balance the risks versus the benefits. You can't know the benefits of drug-therapy without a trial on medication."

Dr. Johnston recommends a two-month trial. "About 5 to 10 percent have symptoms that vanish when that child begins medication," he says.
"You don't want to miss that. If symptoms are managed as a result of treatment, your child can have all the opportunities in life that other kids do."

Early Warning Signs
In addition to continuous questioning for reassurance, what are other early indicators of possible OCD?

Waltz maintains that one discernible warning sign is separation anxiety or a fear of being away from the child's primary caregiver. The following symptoms do not absolutely indicate OCD, but they are often seen in the histories of those who have the disorder:

  • Ear infections
  • Strep throat
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Picky eaters
  • Agitated when interrupted
  • Uncomfortable with the feeling of their clothes
  • Clumsy
  • Slightly late to crawl, walk, talk
  • Slower to develop bladder or bowel control

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