Although obsessive compulsive disorder seems to be a disorder usually attributed to adults, according to the results of the studies, most of the adult patients (80% according to some studies) are in childhood. shows that they have similar problems. Obsessive-compulsive disorder or obsession disease is characterized by obsessive thoughts and behaviors to relieve them. Obsessions enter one’s mind against their will. Although the person experiences significant anxiety and discomfort due to these, they cannot get rid of these thoughts. The behaviors he does to get these thoughts out of his mind and relax are called compulsions. Sometimes, obsessions can only be in the field of cleanliness, but also in the areas of control, thought, religion, and sexuality.
What is the frequency?
Although there is no clear data on childhood, it is reported that the disorder can be detected in approximately 1-3% of adults and adolescents in community studies.
What are the symptoms?
There are many ritual behaviors in childhood. Many behaviors such as trying to walk without stepping on the lines, sitting on the same side of the table, wanting to wear a certain dress often, trying to count the objects around are considered normal for childhood. These behaviors are based on the child’s anxieties and worries. With these behaviors, the worries he experiences are allayed. It should be well differentiated from obsessive compulsive disorder, since it usually disappears without any problem with advancing age and often has self-limiting features. Obsessive thoughts can be in areas of contagion, doubt or control, symmetry, counting, thought.
Cleanliness – Children who are obsessed with contagiousness worry intensely that they will become infected, get sick and die. They are the most common obsessions. To avoid this, they often wash their hands, and they can stay in the bathroom for too long.
In doubt or obsession with control, the person worries about doing things right and right. For example, “Did he close the door?”, “Is my math book with me?” as. In order to suppress these thoughts, they develop repetitive control behavior. For example, they may be late for school by repeatedly checking to see if their math notebook is in their bag.
In symmetry obsessions, the person experiences intense anxiety that the objects around him are in a certain order and harmony. He works hard to achieve this.
Thought obsessions can be in many different areas, but often in sexual and religious areas. In sexual obsessions, inappropriate sexual thoughts come to the mind of the person. Sometimes different behaviors may develop to suppress these thoughts. Because of these, he may feel intense guilt. Sometimes, obsessions with thoughts can be seen in the field of religion. Some of the most common ones are blasphemy, associating with God.
Although a definition such as “despite being meaningless to the person” can be used to define obsessions in adult disorders, children often cannot comprehend whether these obsessive thoughts are meaningful or meaningless due to their limited cognitive skills. He often starts speaking by saying that a voice inside me says. The child’s inability to fully grasp that thoughts involuntarily come to mind can cause intense feelings of guilt and sinfulness. Sometimes, only obsessive behaviors can be observed without obsessive thoughts. In fact, studies conducted in recent years say that about 40% of children can only have obsessive behaviors without obsessive thoughts.
Why is it happening?
Many studies point out that obsessive compulsive disorder cannot be explained by a single cause. Sometimes the problems experienced in the womb can be a facilitating factor, while sometimes genetic predispositions can be at the forefront. Families who often encounter such a problem with their child often worry intensely that it is caused by their own behavior. Sometimes this process can even progress to efforts to find the criminal in the home. However, studies have shown that parental attitudes have no effect on the emergence of the disorder.
Is there a cure?
One of my biggest disappointments was when a colleague named his 11-year-old patient the disease as cancer of the soul. Current information shows improvement in more than 70% of the disease with appropriate treatment and methods. The treatment of the disease is twofold. The first of these is therapy. Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy practices are the most appropriate therapy method for childhood discomfort. In the therapy process, the first step should be to inform the family about the disorder and to show the traces of obsessive thoughts and behaviors in the child’s life. Another treatment method is drug treatments. There are many drug treatments with proven efficacy and safety in children and adolescents. Drug treatments are at least as effective as therapy. Gold therapy, on the other hand, consists of both cognitive behavioral therapy and drug treatments.
What can be done at home?
Recognize the discomfort. Being able to recognize the behaviors caused by the discomfort in your child’s life will be helpful in displaying a more understanding attitude towards him/her.
No one wants to get sick on purpose. This discomfort is not your child’s choice. Therefore, it will not be fair to get angry, shout, force him.
Children often try to associate their family with obsessive thoughts. For example, a child with a control obsession may ask his mother to control the door or the stove. Don’t be a part of these obsessions. Joining these obsessions will not be beneficial and may cause the process to become more complex.
Get expert help. Early diagnosis and treatment will always prevent further problems.
(This article was retrieved from psychiatry.org/Home_Page.php” target=”_self”>www.cocukpsychiatry.org)
