Childhood OCD: 5 Things People Don't Tell You
Julie Derrick
Childhood OCD : I help parents and schools figure out ways to support a child with OCD and anxiety??The Mind Monsters Books ???? The Parenting OCD in Teens and Tweens Handbook
When it comes to childhood OCD, what are five things that people fail to tell you?
OCD often targets children who are intelligent and creative.
Little wonder then that these children often have big dreams and career goals.
OCD can have other plans, however.
It sneaks into children's lives and does its utmost to scupper those dreams.
One of the ways it does this is by getting children to avoid going to school.
This can be achieved in a number of ways, including:
2. OCD CAN DESTROY CAREERS
Even if a child with OCD is fortunate to manage somehow to get through school and achieve their desired results, the challenge doesn't stop there.
Because next comes the challenge of moving away to university and getting a job.
Both can be incredibly challenging and can lead to them not being able to get a degree.
Or their chosen career.
Even if a child with OCD chooses to forgo going to university and to opt for a different career, OCD can still throw some curveballs similar to the ones faced at school.
Challenges like:
This could eventually lead to them facing disciplinaries or losing their job.
3. OCD CAN DESTROY ANY CHANCES OF RELATIONSHIPS
Having OCD can be extremely challenging and embarrassing for a child with OCD.
So it becomes easier to keep it a secret.
To the point that it can lead to them avoiding having any romantic relationships at all.
After all, how do you explain to others that something invisible is controlling your thoughts...and your life?
And for them to understand that they, too, may need to comply with certain compulsions to reduce anxiety and overwhelm.
This, in turn, can also result in a child with OCD not being able to go on and have children, too.
4. OCD CAN RUIN SIBLINGS' LIVES
Siblings often take a hit when OCD moves in, too.
Not only can they be recruited into OCD compulsions for a quiet life.
But they can also avoid having friendships too.
Some of the ways that OCD can be challenging to siblings include:
5. OCD CAN BREAK UP MARRIAGES
When it comes to parenting a child with OCD, you need to have a healthy balance between 'good cop/ bad cop'.
This can cause conflict, especially if one parent is more prone to being overprotective or nurturing.
It can cause conflict, not just between parents.
But with the child with OCD, too, it can lead to them resenting the parent who is finding themselves in the 'bad cop role.
It can be far from ideal.
But the harsh truth is that when it comes to childhood OCD, it's imperative to have the 'bad cop' approach too because if you comply with all of OCD's commands, it will spiral completely out of control. And will end up controlling he whole house!
As I discovered.
HOW TO GET YOUR LIFE BACK FROM OCD
The only way to get your life back from OCD Is by taking steps to do the opposite of what OCD wants and needs.
Step by tiny step.
ERP (exposure and response therapy) is the most effective way of achieving this.
ERP therapy can be tough but when done consitently it can be effective in managing OCD.
And allowing children and families to resume a more normal life again, away from OCD's clutches.
So, with that said.
If you're a...
And would like to learn more about OCD and how it can impact childhood and adulthood.
So that you have a better understanding of how to support a child with OCD.
I have created a digital handbook that shares everything I learnt while parenting a child with OCD.
In the handbook, you will discover:
?? What OCD is.
?? Ways to manage OCD and anxiety.
?? How to challenge OCD.
?? Ways to overcome challenges.
?? How to get support for OCD.
All for a one-off payment of just ￡15.
Click the link below to purchase your copy.
Therapist. Specialist in Anxiety and OCD recovery - I help people recover their full mental health so that they can create the life they want to create | Solution Focused Hypnotherapy | NLP | Time Line Therapy
5 个月Absolutely there can be terrible impacts later on from childhood OCD it’s true. And I agree with very gradual amounts of exposure / challenge, as part of a recovery process so long as a) there is a full understanding of a child’s needs sensory and otherwise / understanding whether a child may be autistic and the necessary stuff for an autistic child to flourish put in place / an understanding of the nervous system and the child learning how to soothe their own nervous system first and foremost. And also that there has been therapy work to release any trauma from difficult events if necessary. For me these would all be prerequisites to any form of super gentle challenging / exposure (and for me this work would also be best combined with hypnosis work to make it as easy and comfortable as possible).