OCD Treatment in Children

OCD treatment in childrenIn OCD treatment in children, we address the underlying issues and not just the symptoms.

OCD Treatment in Children – Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a brain-based anxiety disorder. Obsessions are ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that keep coming back. They are not enjoyable, rather obsessions are unwanted and upsetting, causing severe anxiety or distress.

The content of these obsessions is sometimes grouped into different areas, including: aggression (fears of harming others), contamination (fears of being dirty), sex, religion, and exactness. What separates OCD obsessions from normal obsessions experienced by everyone are the frequency, intensity, and discomfort. OCD sufferers attach much greater meaning and threat to these thoughts than others. The obsessions won’t just “go away.”

In order to cope with the obsessions, people with OCD engage in repeated behaviours or thoughts, known as compulsions, to make themselves feel safer. Compulsions are rituals that the person believes reduce the risk of the obsessions coming true, or at least reduce the anxiety they produce. However, the compulsions are not really useful. They do not prevent the feared consequence or are clearly excessive. Compulsions or rituals take up so much time that they get in the way of work, school, and family obligations.

Researchers have classified the many symptoms of OCD into four categories:

  • Contamination and Washing
  • Doubts About Accidental Harm and Checking
  • Symmetry, Arranging, Counting, and Just Right OCD
  • Unacceptable Taboo Thoughts and Mental Rituals

Causes

Doctors and researchers are divided on what causes OCD but many believe OCD is the result of abnormal brain circuitry function. A recent study showed that inflammation of the brain tissue was 32 per cent higher in the brains of OCD sufferers compared to others.

In our OCD treatment in children, we seek to find the underlying issues and address them. Our approach is non pjarmaceutical, very gentle and very kind.

We also address any tummy issues, which are often associated with this condition.

References

A long-term trial of the effectiveness and safety of atypical antipsychotic agents in augmenting SSRI-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Matsunaga H, Nagata T, Hayashida K, Ohya K, Kiriike N, Stein DJ.J Clin Psychiatry. 2009 Jun;70(6):863-8. doi: 10.4088/JCP.08m04369. Epub 2009 May 5.PMID: 19422759 Clinical Trial.
A systematic review: antipsychotic augmentation with treatment refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Bloch MH, Landeros-Weisenberger A, Kelmendi B, Coric V, Bracken MB, Leckman JF.Mol Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;11(7):622-32. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001823. Epub 2006 Apr 4.PMID: 16585942 Review.
Early onset of response with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis. Issari Y, Jakubovski E, Bartley CA, Pittenger C, Bloch MH.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016 May;77(5):e605-11. doi: 10.4088/JCP.14r09758.PMID: 27249090
[A Review and Recommendations of Evidence-Based Treatments for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder]. Skarphedinsson G, Lauth B, Njardvik U, Ivarsson T.Laeknabladid. 2016 Apr;102(4):179-85. doi: 10.17992/lbl.2016.04.75.PMID: 27197125 Review. Icelandic.
A Systematic Review of Evidence-based Treatment Strategies for Obsessive- compulsive Disorder Resistant to first-line Pharmacotherapy. Albert U, Marazziti D, Di Salvo G, Solia F, Rosso G, Maina G.Curr Med Chem. 2018;25(41):5647-5661. doi: 10.2174/0929867325666171222163645.PMID: 29278206

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