Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves repetitive behaviors/thoughts that make no sense, according to John Purcell’s article “Children, Adolescents, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Classroom” Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves repetitive behaviors/thoughts that make no sense, according to John Purcell’s article “Children, Adolescents, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Classroom”

SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN Children might seem to worry excessively about certain things. Have you ever heard a child say the following things too often? Children might seem to worry excessively about certain things. Have you ever heard a child say the following things too often? “DO YOU HAVE MY TEST GRADED? I CAN’T FUNCTION UNTIL IT IS!” “DO YOU HAVE MY TEST GRADED? I CAN’T FUNCTION UNTIL IT IS!” “I AM SO WORRIED THAT I AM GOING TO LOSE SOMETHING TODAY!” “I AM SO WORRIED THAT I AM GOING TO LOSE SOMETHING TODAY!” “I ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE A AVERAGE IN THAT CLASS, OR I WILL BE SO MAD!” “I ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE A AVERAGE IN THAT CLASS, OR I WILL BE SO MAD!”

SOMETIMES NORMAL THOUGHTS CAN GET EXTREME! “I MUST GO WASH MY HANDS! MY HANDS ARE DISGUSTING!” “I MUST GO WASH MY HANDS! MY HANDS ARE DISGUSTING!” “OH NO, MY WATCH IS BROKEN. NOW I WON’T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION ALL DAY!” “OH NO, MY WATCH IS BROKEN. NOW I WON’T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION ALL DAY!” “OH NO, I SPILLED THIS ON MY SHIRT. MY WHOLE DAY IS RUINED!” “OH NO, I SPILLED THIS ON MY SHIRT. MY WHOLE DAY IS RUINED!” “I’LL START ON MY HOMEWORK AS SOON AS I FINISH MAKING THIS LIST AND DRAWING THIS PICTURE!” “I’LL START ON MY HOMEWORK AS SOON AS I FINISH MAKING THIS LIST AND DRAWING THIS PICTURE!”

BUT REMEMBER………………. An infrequent or small duration of these thoughts and feelings are normal human nature. We’ve all thought those thoughts at one time or another! However, all too often, we may have a child who may go to an extreme with these and other thoughts and habits. That’s when we might need to consider that they could have OCD! An infrequent or small duration of these thoughts and feelings are normal human nature. We’ve all thought those thoughts at one time or another! However, all too often, we may have a child who may go to an extreme with these and other thoughts and habits. That’s when we might need to consider that they could have OCD!

Directly from An estimated 1 in 50 adults currently has OCD. In addition, twice this number have supposedly dealt with it earlier in their lives. An estimated 1 in 50 adults currently has OCD. In addition, twice this number have supposedly dealt with it earlier in their lives. OCD is a medical dysfunction of the brain that affects “mental processing”. It has nothing to do with one’s personality type. OCD is a medical dysfunction of the brain that affects “mental processing”. It has nothing to do with one’s personality type.

Directly from OBSESSIONS may involve: -- Constant worries of contamination -- Constant worries of hurting self or others -- Worries of losing control of situations -- Too much spiritual or moral doubt -- A constant need to “have things just so” -- A constant need to confess things, ask things, and tell things

Directly from COMPULSIONS may involve: -- excessive cleaning -- repititions of things -- constantly checking things -- constantly having to touch certain things -- constantly having to count certain things -- constantly having to arrange things

When does OCD start? It could start anywhere from preschool age to middle-age adulthood! A large percentage of OCD sufferers trace the beginnings of their problems to childhood! It often takes many years to get the right diagnosis and treatment for the disorder. However, once the right treatment is found, the person’s distress symptoms can be greatly reduced! It often takes many years to get the right diagnosis and treatment for the disorder. However, once the right treatment is found, the person’s distress symptoms can be greatly reduced!

Is OCD inherited? Apparently so, but an OCD parent might struggle with different symptoms than an OCD child might display! Apparently so, but an OCD parent might struggle with different symptoms than an OCD child might display! Remember, this is a chemical disorder in the brain. More research needs to be done, but it seems to involve “communication” problems between the front part of the brain and some deeper portions – according to the OC Foundation’s research. Remember, this is a chemical disorder in the brain. More research needs to be done, but it seems to involve “communication” problems between the front part of the brain and some deeper portions – according to the OC Foundation’s research.

Light at the end of the tunnel Light at the end of the tunnel From what we have discussed, you can imagine the moments of discomfort and unnecessary stress that accompanies this disorder! But there is good news! From what we have discussed, you can imagine the moments of discomfort and unnecessary stress that accompanies this disorder! But there is good news! Cognitive-behavioral therapy is available to help patients perform mental exercises to eliminate Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms. Along with medication, there is hope to completely overcome the disorder! Cognitive-behavioral therapy is available to help patients perform mental exercises to eliminate Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms. Along with medication, there is hope to completely overcome the disorder!

OCD anxiety can be greatly reduced! Although the symptoms may completely go away in only a few of the OCD patients, the vast majority of those who continue to struggle with the disorder do find their symptoms to be greatly reduced with the proper therapy and medication! You can have this disorder and live a normal life! If you think you may have this disorder, don’t panic, because you can get relief!

BE PATIENT! Remember, we may have to deal with OCD symptoms in our students, ourselves, and loved ones. Sometimes, our colleagues and administrators in the school environment may struggle with these symptoms – as well as the parents of our students. Be aware that this disorder is out there, and be patient and understanding of those who struggle with it! Remember, we may have to deal with OCD symptoms in our students, ourselves, and loved ones. Sometimes, our colleagues and administrators in the school environment may struggle with these symptoms – as well as the parents of our students. Be aware that this disorder is out there, and be patient and understanding of those who struggle with it!

KEEP STANDARDS HIGH, AS LONG AS THEY ARE REALISTIC! Don’t write OCD students off as worthless, and don’t let them write themselves off as worthless! Continue to hold high expectations for these students, as long as you remember to be reasonably flexible! Don’t write OCD students off as worthless, and don’t let them write themselves off as worthless! Continue to hold high expectations for these students, as long as you remember to be reasonably flexible!

Remember, children with OCD can live a Remember, children with OCD can live a BALANCED LIFE!