If you have a child or children with OCD, you know that this is a real problem that is not easy to resolve. You will be pleased to hear that there is a solution to OCD. You will find your solution to OCD at the end of this article.

Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children is characterized by intrusive, anxiety producing thoughts, repetitive behaviors or by combining these two - thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). It is the fourth most common anxiety disorder in children. OCD in children is diagnosed as often as asthma or diabetes in some parts of the world. Some children are naturally more neat and tidy than others. In children with OCD these traits are carried to an extreme degree. Children with OCD can spend hours doing repetitive tasks in order to avoid anxiety that appears if obsessions are not being followed by compulsions. Children with OCD may or may not be aware that their obsessive thoughts are irrational, yet they feel unable to stop or ignore them.

Obsessions in children with OCD are recurring thoughts or images that are senseless, but repetitively intrude the mind. Common obsessions include fear of contamination or germs, need to have or do things in a particular order, fear of leaving the lights or the stove on, fear of leaving your door unlocked, fear that negative thoughts may harm someone, images of violence, thoughts of being violent to someone else or inappropriate sexual thoughts. Your child suffering with OCD may recognize that these thoughts or images are irrational, but they keep intruding their mind and they are unable to suppress them.

Compulsions are actions or behaviors that your child with OCD performs in order to avoid or stop the anxiety brought up by obsessive thoughts. The most common compulsions are hand washing, checking things such as locked door, repeating an activity, a word or a phrase, finding it difficult to throw away unwanted or useless items, touching and repeating good thoughts to avoid bad things happening. In the counting compulsion, a child must count up to a certain number to dispel anxiety about harm befalling them or their loved ones. Obsessions are not always accompanied by compulsions. Some children with OCD only experience obsessions, mainly about fear of causing harm to their loved ones.

So as you can see, there is a conflict between the wish to be free from the compulsive behavior and the irresistible desire to perform it. And this is the source of anxiety in children with OCD, or even shame. OCD in children can be accompanied by depression. But having OCD does not mean “being crazy”. Your child often recognizes that their thoughts or behavior is irrational, but are unable to control it. And they may feel very frustrated or depressed about it.

OCD in children is underdiagnosed, because most parents are reluctant to tell anyone about their child’s problem or they don’t know what to do about it. Diagnosis of OCD in children is made, when the child must perform compulsive actions in order to avoid significant psychological anxiety and distress. Often obsessive thoughts and compulsions interfere with child`s life, disturb them from sleep and are time and energy consuming. Freeing your child form OCD is a process which will require some of your time, but the reward is your anxiety free child.

OCD, panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are very close and can appear at the same time. Relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention therapy are the treatments of choice for children with OCD. Obsessive thoughts such as: “If I have a thought about getting sick if I don’t wash my hands every time I touch something, I might get sick” is replaced with “The thought of getting sick is just a noise caused by OCD. It is just a thought and it doesn’t mean it will happen.”

It is needless to say that parents play an important role in child’s treatment and praising and rewarding system is an effective and powerful tool. You should seek professional help if you think your child is suffering from OCD; however there is a program called The Linden Method and it can help you on your way on freeing your child from OCD. Have a look at The Linden Method below: