{"id":23190,"date":"2025-09-19T16:45:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/?p=23190"},"modified":"2025-09-19T16:45:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:45:36","slug":"signs-symptoms-causes-of-child-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/signs-symptoms-causes-of-child-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs, Symptoms, Causes of Child Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Children, just like adults, worry.\u00a0 This is normal and healthy, except when it begins to get out of hand and take over their life. When a child cannot stop thinking about their worries, or their day becomes interrupted constantly by repetitive actions, they could be exhibiting the early signs of\u00a0Obsessive Compulsive Disorder<\/a>\u00a0(OCD).<\/p>\n

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder<\/a>\u00a0can occur in children and it is therefore important to keep an eye on your child\u2019s habits and make sure they are not getting out of control.<\/p>\n

OCD can cause a child do the same thing over and over, when this occurs it is known as a compulsion or ritual.<\/p>\n

Usually the child has no idea that what they are doing makes no sense but if they try and stop the ritual then they have feelings of extreme\u00a0anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In some cases, the child feels that if they do not perform the rituals then something terrible might happen to them or someone they know. This makes them feel like it is very important to continue following through with the ritual.<\/p>\n

It might look like the child is just being superstitious but, in fact, this type of ritualistic behavior takes a heavy toll psychologically. Rituals can be very important because they actually can suppress a violent action, in the end.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs of Child\u00a0Obsessive Compulsive Disorder<\/a>\u00a0(OCD<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember that children are sometimes prone to \u2018magical thinking\u2019 (e.g. don\u2019t step on the cracks or the bears will get you!) and some of the symptoms listed can be perfectly normal \u2013 especially in the child with an active imagination.<\/p>\n

However, you know you have a problem when your child is constantly distressed by these thoughts or behaviors or when they interfere significantly with functioning.<\/p>\n

In many cases children try to contain or mask their obsessions and rituals<\/strong>. For this reason, parents often don\u2019t realize for some time that their child has\u00a0OCD<\/a>\u00a0or may think the few odd behaviors they do see are just a passing phase. As\u00a0OCD<\/a>\u00a0usually comes on gradually, these behaviors may come on so slowly, that they seem normal to the parent.<\/p>\n

A child may ask the parent to participate in some of the rituals at first, seeking reassurance that everything is OK. \u201cI touched dirt, am I ok?\u201d to which the parent responds \u201cYou\u2019re fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Failure to respond in this routine way may result in tantrums, or acting-out behavior. Very young children may ask parents to repeat a word or phrase \u2018till it sounds right\u2019.<\/p>\n

Here are some warning signs to look out for in your child:<\/strong><\/p>\n