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Overwhelmed by OCD
Helping Kids Who Can't Stop
By Judi Bailey
Twelve-year-old Caleb comes to school dragging. Being up at 4 a.m. to prep his homework still doesn't give him enough time to make each letter perfect. Having to erase completely is exhausting and makes the paper rip apart so he has to keep starting over on a new sheet.
During class he makes every possible effort to stay awake. Then at the end of the day he has to scramble to pick up his homework assignments. By the time he gets home Caleb is typically too tired to even look at his schoolwork.
Caleb suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring obsessions and/or compulsions. These urges are so powerful, they create severe discomfort and interfere with a child's regular schedule, family relationships, school work or social involvements.
For OCD sufferers, obsessions are urges and mental images that are stubbornly repetitious and generally unpleasant. These might include fears of illness or contamination, needing objects placed in the right order and relentless doubt or worry.
Compulsions involve repeating thoughts or actions that temporarily seem to alleviate anxiety. Instead of relief, compulsions trigger even more intense urges later. Examples are rereading paragraphs a certain number of times, checking then rechecking answers on homework and picking a scab until it "feels right."
