Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

Obsessive features in children need to be fully assessed in relation to everything of concern. Obsessive features can present in children where certain routines, patterns, rituals become so encompassing that they intrude on a child having fun with other kids. There also can be more of an obsessive thinking pattern where a child gets locked onto a thought or idea and cannot get it out of their mind and will argue the point incessantly. They may also overly focus on right and wrong, fair and not fair, to where they argue rules, are overly bossy or controlling to other kids and miss the big picture, are unable to be flexible and have a good time with other kids. These features may present solely as obsessive or may be a part of other concerns such as ADHD, Anxiety, Autistic Spectrum or other diagnoses.

It is most important if concerned to have a good assessment of everything of significance. This is usually best done by a child/adolescent psychiatrist because they have the ability to fully assess and offer many options of treatment. Children with obsessive features can often be sucessfully treated in a relatively short period of time. There are medications that are approved for obsessive features from age six and up. If you are concerned, speak with your pediatrician for a referral to a child psychiatrist, or look on the back of your insurance card, where it says Behavioral or Mental Health, call that number and ask for a referral to a child/adolescent psychiatrist referral.