Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCauses and PrevalenceDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes and Prevalence
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
The onset of OCD symptoms can occur at any age, and many people start showing signs in childhood.Knowing the common symptoms can help parents and caregivers identify the mental health disorder early and avoid delays in treatment.
This article will provide an overview of OCD in children, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Peter Dazeley
OCD Symptoms in Children
Examples of Obsessive Thoughts
Obsessive thoughts that children with OCD may include:
Examples of Compulsive Behaviors
Compulsive behaviors that children with OCD may include:
Obsession vs. Compulsion: Effect on Actions and Thinking
For most children withOCD, the exact cause is unknown. Most experts believe that genetic and neurological factors may contribute to a child’s risk. OCD appears to run in families.
Research also shows that children withTourette’s syndromeand other tic disorders may be more likely to be diagnosed with OCD. A child’s risk of OCD may be increased if their mother experienced health problems duringpregnancy.
About 1.2% of American adults have OCD.Of those individuals, about one-third to one-half likely first showed signs of OCD in childhood.Obsessive thoughts and behaviors can begin as early as preschool.
Diagnosing OCD in Children
Diagnosing OCDin children is not a straightforward process. The process usually involves ruling out other possible causes of the child’s symptoms.
If your pediatrician suspects OCD or another mental health disorder, they will likely refer your child to apediatric psychiatristor behavioral specialist for an evaluation. Most children with suspected OCD are evaluated foranxiety,depression, and tic disorders before being diagnosed with OCD.
What Are the 4 Types of OCD?
Treatment for OCD
Children with OCD are usually treated with a combination of therapy and medications. Support for the entire family is also an important aspect oftreatment.
Therapy
Therapy is usually the first step in treating OCD in children. Research has found that therapy can be as effective as medication in overcoming OCD.Therapy can teach children to think in more helpful ways and reduce their compulsive behaviors. Therapies used to treat OCD include:
Medication
In addition to therapy, many children require medication. Drugs used in treating OCD include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) andselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs). These medications can help to reduce OCD symptoms and anxious thoughts. It’s important to remember that they typically take eight to 12 weeks to be effective.
Medications used to treat OCD in children may include:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a boxed warning for the use of antidepressants like SSRIs. Children and adolescents who take antidepressant medications to treatmajor depressive disordermay have an increased risk of suicidal ideation.Talk with your healthcare provider about the safety of these medications for your child.
Family Support
When a child has OCD, the entire family is affected. It is helpful for parents and caregivers to participate in their child’s therapy sessions to better understand the obsessions and compulsions. Behavioral specialists can teach a child’s family how to recognize triggers and best respond to the child’s behaviors.
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves frequent, repetitive thoughts and behaviors. These unwanted thoughts are known as obsessions, and the resulting behaviors are known as compulsions. It’s estimated that about 1.2% of American adults have OCD. Of those individuals, about one-third to one-half likely first showed signs of OCD in childhood. Obsessive thoughts and behaviors can begin as early as preschool. Treatment options often include therapy, medications, or both.
A Word From Verywell
All children have worries and habits. These thoughts and behaviors become concerning when they interfere with your child’s everyday life. OCD symptoms are often distressing for children and their families. Know that you are not alone. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about family resources like therapy and support groups.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is most effective when performed in a safe environment with a trained specialist.
If ERP therapy does not provide any relief from OCD symptoms, the next step is usually to incorporate medication into the treatment plan.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours Kids Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (for parents).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.American Academy of Pediatrics.Obsessive-compulsive disorders in children.Yale Medicine.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Ho D.Antidepressants and the FDA’s black-box warning: determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence.Virtual Mentor. 2012 Jun 1;14(6):483-8. doi:10.1001/virtualmentor.2012.14.6.pfor2-1206Additional ReadingLebowitz ER.Family impairment associated with childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Mar;56(3):187-188. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.002Ou W, Li Z, Zheng Q, Chen W, Liu J, Liu B, Zhang Y.Association between childhood maltreatment and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 20;11:612586. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.612586
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours Kids Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (for parents).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.American Academy of Pediatrics.Obsessive-compulsive disorders in children.Yale Medicine.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Ho D.Antidepressants and the FDA’s black-box warning: determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence.Virtual Mentor. 2012 Jun 1;14(6):483-8. doi:10.1001/virtualmentor.2012.14.6.pfor2-1206Additional ReadingLebowitz ER.Family impairment associated with childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Mar;56(3):187-188. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.002Ou W, Li Z, Zheng Q, Chen W, Liu J, Liu B, Zhang Y.Association between childhood maltreatment and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 20;11:612586. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.612586
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nemours Kids Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (for parents).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.American Academy of Pediatrics.Obsessive-compulsive disorders in children.Yale Medicine.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Ho D.Antidepressants and the FDA’s black-box warning: determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence.Virtual Mentor. 2012 Jun 1;14(6):483-8. doi:10.1001/virtualmentor.2012.14.6.pfor2-1206
Nemours Kids Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (for parents).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.
National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Obsessive-compulsive disorders in children.
Yale Medicine.Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.
Ho D.Antidepressants and the FDA’s black-box warning: determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence.Virtual Mentor. 2012 Jun 1;14(6):483-8. doi:10.1001/virtualmentor.2012.14.6.pfor2-1206
Lebowitz ER.Family impairment associated with childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Mar;56(3):187-188. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.002Ou W, Li Z, Zheng Q, Chen W, Liu J, Liu B, Zhang Y.Association between childhood maltreatment and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 20;11:612586. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.612586
Lebowitz ER.Family impairment associated with childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Mar;56(3):187-188. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.002
Ou W, Li Z, Zheng Q, Chen W, Liu J, Liu B, Zhang Y.Association between childhood maltreatment and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 20;11:612586. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.612586
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