Understanding the Underlying Triggers of OCD in Children

April 3rd, 2009 | Leave a comment »
Published by Dr. Yip

The diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is usually quite straightforward in adults. However, symptoms of OCD in children often manifest in different ways, which can lead to detrimental misdiagnoses. The key is to understand the underlying cause of each child’s behavioral manifestations. Let’s take a look into Nick’s symptomology and how it was approached.

Nick was 10 years old at the time he began treatment with me. He had already been to several psychologists intermittently for talk and play therapy. He had begun seeing a psychiatrist, and was placed on a medication regimen of Luvox and Risperdal. Nick had been given various diagnoses since preschool, including Separation Anxiety, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Panic Disorder, and OCD. Due to his emotional outbursts and issues with anger, his family sought family therapy unsuccessfully, and was considering residential treatment at the family therapist’s suggestion. Nick also had difficulty paying attention in his classes, and always declined play dates with friends after school although he was socially interested and active during school.
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