Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD Research Paper

Diagnosis in children is sometimes difficult since they often try to mask symptoms. The following questions are a good indicator that the child needs to be evaluated by a professional:

Do you have worries, thoughts, images, feelings, or ideas that bother you?

Do you have to check things over and over again?

Do you have to wash your hands a lot, more than most kids?

Do you count to a certain number or do things a certain number of times?

Do you collect things that others might throw away (like hair or fingernail clippings)?

Do things have to be "just so"?

Are there things you have to do before you go to bed? (Ben-Joseph, 2009)

At present, there are two solid methods for treating OCD -- behavioral therapy and drugs that help manage serotonin levels in the brain. Depending on the symptoms, a combination of therapies is usually preferred. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helps children learn to change their thoughts and feelings by changing their overt behaviors. This type of therapy involves exposing a child to their fears with the agreement that they will not perform rituals.This, in combination with family and teacher support will usually help a child cope better. This, in combination with SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, usually helps balance out the child's issues. Sometimes a child will outgrow OCD behaviors, sometimes they just learn to deal with them and change their overt behavior. The key, however, to successful OCD therapy is to understand it is not a child's fault, it is a chemical imbalance. Not giving into the disorder so that it controls the family is also key (Huebner, 2007, inclusive.)

Works Cited

B., J. (200). The Boy Who Finally Stopped Washing. Cooper Union Press.

Ben-Joseph, E. (2009). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/OCD.html#

Hollander, E. a. (1997). Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. New York: Marvel Decker.

Huebner, D. (2007). What to Do When Your Brain Get's Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD. Magination Press.

Lee, F.A. (2003). Helping Your Child With OCD.….....