Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), popularly known as "obsession disease", causes serious anxiety and restlessness. According to the World Health Organization, OCD, which is among the top 10 diseases that reduce the quality of life, can be seen in children as well as adults. Stating that the age of onset of OCD in children is usually between the ages of 7.5 - 12.5, experts point out that professional support should be sought for children who are thought to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
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Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center Child - Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Ayık made important evaluations about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seen in childhood.
It is in the top 10 among the diseases that limit the quality of life
"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or obsessive disorder as it is popularly known, is a psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions and compulsions that cause severe anxiety and restlessness in the person," said Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Ayık,
"Obsessions consist of involuntary thoughts, impulses or images that come into our minds in a repetitive and persistent manner. They cause significant anxiety. They cause more discomfort than simple worries about real life problems. Compulsions, on the other hand, consist of repetitive behaviors or mental actions that occur in response to obsessions and to reduce the anxiety arising from the obsession, or that are felt to have to be applied according to strict rules. According to the data of the World Health Organization, it is in the top 10 among the diseases that reduce and restrict the quality of life."
Family behavior leads to OCD in children
Noting that OCD is a psychiatric disorder that can also be seen in childhood, Başak Ayık stated that the causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are divided into two as genetic and non-genetic factors and continued his words as follows:
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"Genetic factors are among the factors clearly demonstrated in both family and twin studies. The likelihood of OCD in the family has been found to be higher, especially in early-onset types. Brain imaging studies have shown that there are differences in many different chemical substances in the brain and important systems that affect behaviors. The family's behavior towards the child, i.e. parenting styles, is also one of the factors shown among the causes. Sometimes, after rare infections, our defense cells developed against the regions of the brain related to these behaviors can cause OCD-like behaviors. For this reason, it is important to find out when the symptoms of the disease started and whether there was any infection before."
It usually starts between the ages of 7.5 and 12.5
Stating that the age of onset of OCD in childhood is usually between the ages of 7.5 - 12.5, Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Ayık,
"Unfortunately, children are diagnosed as late as 2.5 years after the onset of the disease. This may be because children cannot express themselves as well as adults. For this reason, families should observe their children well."
OCD manifests in different ways in children
Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center Child - Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Ayık said, "People with OCD sometimes find the thoughts that come to their minds absurd, but they continue to do obsessive behaviors to reduce anxiety even though they find them absurd. In other words, the person may sometimes realize that this is a disease and that what they are doing is absurd. We call this realization insight. Children usually do not have insight," he said and gave the following information:
"Children's obsessions may manifest differently than adults. Sometimes it may look like a tic from the outside (such as blinking and breathing behaviors). Often multiple obsessions are seen together. Course achievement may decrease due to excessive perfectionism, such as doing homework or studies over and over again, unwillingness to return from work unless it is perfect. Refusal or restriction in eating may be due to fears of getting sick or contaminated with germs, fear of getting fat, obsessions about the order of the food on the plate. Reddening and drying of the hands may be seen due to constant hand washing due to obsession with cleanliness."
Lack of treatment leads to depression!
"When OCD is left untreated, the disease is usually exacerbated and due to the problems caused by this disease, a decrease in school success, deterioration in social relations and even depression can be seen," warned Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Ayık and concluded her words as follows:
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"Always seek professional support"
"One of the most important features of OCD in children is that children involve their families in behaviors related to the illness. In this case, families sometimes perform all the desired behaviors to comfort the child. However, this increases the child's illness instead of decreasing it. In some families, it is thought that the child does these behaviors knowingly and willingly, and the child is punished and constantly warned. In both cases, both the child's mental state and the disease are negatively affected. Families should definitely seek professional support for their children who they think have OCD. After being evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist, therapy with a child psychologist will be very helpful in eliminating the symptoms and problems caused by the disease."
