Intense anxiety caused by repetitive, involuntary thoughts and images that come to mind is called obsession. When obsessive thoughts come to mind, the individual often tries not to think, ignores them, or tries to balance (neutralize) this obsessive thought with another thought or behavior. These behaviors are called compulsions. They are usually a repetitive thought and behavior pattern that is done to relieve the discomfort caused by the thought that comes to mind. Many people know that these compulsive thoughts that come to mind are illogical, but they cannot stop thinking/doing them.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms in Children
Repetitive, repetitive behaviors (such as hand washing, sorting, checking) or mentally performed actions (such as praying, counting, repeating certain words) are observed and the child applies them rigidly. These behaviors are usually done to reduce anxiety and discomfort, but they cause serious loss of time (such as spending an hour in the bathroom, soaping the body repeatedly, going to the toilet repeatedly to check if underwear is clean). Functionality in school, social relationships and daily life begins to deteriorate.
Religious obsessions (such as “Have I committed a sin? Will I go to hell? If I don’t pray for the bad thought that comes to my mind, God will not forgive me”), arranging objects symmetrically, fear of getting dirty and sick, intense anxiety about catching a disease, having a lucky number/character, hoarding (bringing useless objects home, hiding them, never throwing any of them away) are symptoms that are frequently observed in children. The frequency of obsessive-compulsive disorder is around 1-2%, and it is more common in women than in men.
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Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Childhood
Genetic predisposition is one of the most important determinants of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This disorder observed in any family member increases the predisposition in the next generation. It is known that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a neurobiological disorder that occurs as a result of differences observed at the chemical level in the brain.
Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Childhood
It is noted that in the treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder through medical and psychotherapy, the child/adolescent gains functionality to a great extent and disturbing thoughts and behaviors decrease.
Drug treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder is used as a very effective way to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and discomfort observed in children/adolescents.
Apart from this, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is among the most frequently used therapy types in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Informing the child and family about the compulsive situation experienced (psychoeducation) is the most important part of the process. When thoughts that make them feel uncomfortable (obsession) come, the child/adolescent often exhibits various behavioral patterns to relax themselves (compulsion). The temporary relief they feel reinforces the child/adolescent to behave in the same way when similar thoughts are triggered. The aim of the therapy protocol is to prevent the child/adolescent’s compulsive reactions through the method called “exposure”.
