#2) Don't tell your child with OCD to just “stop it!” OCD is not a behavioral disorder it's a brain disorder. Being such, your child cannot help it when their brain is telling them to tap five times or to wash their hands until it feels “just right.”
Trauma, stress, and abuse all can be a cause of OCD getting worse. OCD causes intense urges to complete a task or perform a ritual. For those who have the condition, obsessions and compulsions can begin to rule their life.
The exact cause of OCD is unknown. Children with OCD don't have enough of a chemical called serotonin in their brain. Obsessive symptoms include repeated doubts and extreme preoccupation with dirt or germs. Compulsive behaviors include hoarding objects and checking things often.
The inheritance pattern of OCD is unclear. Overall, the risk of developing this condition is greater for first-degree relatives of affected individuals (such as siblings or children) as compared to the general public.
Although both OCD and ASD have similar symptoms, they are different conditions. OCD is a mental health disorder, whereas ASD is a developmental condition. ASD is a condition that a person is born with. OCD can develop during a person's lifetime.
Anger may also occur in children with OCD. For example, this 2012 study found that anger attacks were relatively common in children ages 6 to 16 with OCD. Researchers also found that anger attacks were associated with more severe symptoms and impairment.
Bedtime rituals – Having to follow certain tasks in the exact same way and order when tucking your child into bed (e.g., arrange pillows, tuck in covers, get a drink, check for monsters, etc.).
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety. You might try to ignore them or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things.
People with severe OCD have obsessions with cleanliness and germs — washing their hands, taking showers, or cleaning their homes for hours a day. Sometimes they're afraid to leave home for fear of contamination.
The OCD cycle consists of 4 basic parts: obsessions, anxiety, compulsions, and temporary relief. It's considered a “vicious” cycle because once you get pulled into it, it gains momentum and strength, making it even more difficult for you to get out.
Environmental factors such as stress, trauma, and even bacteria may also play a role in what causes OCD. It's well-known that stress can activate symptoms of OCD. For example, OCD is often linked to major life changes, such as: divorce.
The onset of OCD is not limited to the original meaning of trauma; rather, traumatic experiences such as unexpected exposure to contaminants or various stressful life events often cause the onset of OCD.
But while OCD doesn't necessarily cause schizophrenia, it can come with higher chances of experiencing it than people without OCD. A sudden onset of OCD symptoms may also be connected to the development of conditions involving psychosis, like schizophrenia.
