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Overwhelmed by OCD
Helping Kids Who Can't Stop
By Judi Bailey
"One thing parents can watch for is a symptom seen in all children with OCD – asking reassurance questions," says Dr. Johnston. These include things like: Do you love me? Am I going to get sick and die? What if the car won't start? After you answer you'll receive even more questions like these: Did you really mean that? Were you just saying that?
To begin the process of assessment and recovery, Dr. Johnston suggests contacting one or more of these professionals:
- Your pediatrician. "Most pediatricians are generalists who specialize in perhaps cardiology or neurology, and they may be very good in their specialties," Dr. Johnston says. "But you need a pediatrician who has some additional training in human behavior."
- Your child's school psychologist. They often receive training in childhood disorders. If nothing else, perhaps the school psychologist can refer you to additional resources.
- A clinical psychologist. Many are knowledgeable about OCD and its treatment.
- A child psychiatrist. According to Dr. Johnston, more than any other of the professions, child psychiatrists receive the most training in childhood OCD.
"The 'gold standard' in behavior treatment is cognitive behavior therapy," Waltz says. This involves learning new ways to cope with the anxious, fearful feelings that trigger obsessive-compulsive behaviors as well as reducing those feelings, usually through exposure – a gradual, careful introduction of the individual to the feared situation. During exposure the individual practices new responses to it.