Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often misdiagnosed, especially in those who have a strict morning routine or are overly organized. An American psychologist indicates two signs of the disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder has less to do with cleaning habits or a lack of flexibility and more to do with your ability to manage your unpleasant thoughts. At least that’s what Irina Gorelik, pediatric psychologist in the US, at the Williamsburg Therapy Group says.
On the one hand there is an obsession (thoughts, urges that cause suffering) and a compulsion (the behavior that is used to reduce the level of suffering caused by the obsession). “If we have a disturbing thought, we can move on from it, but someone with OCD has a really distressing response and it makes them want to engage in a behavior that makes the thought go away,” explained the psychologist who indicated two signs that a child might have this type of disorder.
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He needs reassurance about his safety and yours
A child who may have OCD may often ask you if they are going to be okay, even if there is no immediate danger. He also worries that something bad might happen to his loved ones. This fear can also manifest itself in the form of a fear of microbes, which leads to compulsive hand washing. They can also be very attached to their family. They may avoid going to kindergarten, school or a party for fear of something bad happening to those they care about.
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He is afraid of hurting someone
A sign that often occurs in a child with OCD is that they worry about hurting others. Confess an evil thought as if it were a curse that could hurt someone. He often asks you if you love him, to make sure he hasn’t upset you about something.
These obsessions and compulsions can consume him for hours each day. As a parent, you might try to reassure him, tell him it’s okay, but that actually feeds the anxiety.
It would be more helpful to tell him that it’s normal to be worried and that you have to choose not to engage in a compulsion. For example, if he thinks that his parents might be in danger, it will cause him anxiety, but that doesn’t mean that he has to call you every ten minutes, but that he has to let that feeling pass.
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