“You are stressing my child over trivial matters. He may have another spell of anxiety. Stop pressuring him for no reason!” screamed Sally Kirkpatrick, a professor and an educator at King Essay. Her son was now almost 11 years old, but still pleasantly overindulged because of having OCD.
Their family had run all the physical tests they could to determine what could be the problem with their son. But all the tests results always came out negative. There was nothing physically wrong with him. So why is he so finicky and so fussy all the time? Will there ever be a way to cure his OCD?
Defining OCD
An obsessive-compulsive disorder is hard to diagnose because there is nothing physically wrong with a person. OCD is a mental disorder, which features a pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The person having these thoughts has no control over these notions, but the thoughts slowly begin to overtake the person’s life.
The cause of OCD could be the family dynamics and the impact of birth order. OCD can also occur due to constantly interacting with a stressful environment, and it can be due to genetics. Subjects with OCD feel tormented and distressed about their necessity to act impulsively. OCD is a disorder, which means that it is a permanent condition. There are ways to inhibit its effects but no perpetual cure.
Do Not Reinforce OCD Behavior in Children
If given a chance, obsessive-compulsive individuals will constantly justify their actions with their beliefs. Some of their assumptions might even be evocative. However, the important thing to remember is not to reinforce this sort of hypothetical argumentation. Avoid giving in to their arguments because it is easier to comply. Instead of complying with all of their requests, talk to them openly about the subject.
They must learn to acknowledge the other person’s point of view. Use the tone a parent talking about growth outside of the classroom would use, instead of having an unfriendly tone. Fortify your relationship with the OCD individual by reinforcing positive communication such as occasional parties, hugs, and displays of affection.
How to Support & Understand Children with OCD
There will be occasions when you disagree with your child with OCD, and most parents give in to their demands. Rather than completely submitting to their demands reply to them, “I know this is not you talking, it is your OCD.” Children are more likely to open up when they know they will not be reprimanded for taking back their words. Try to persuade the child to seek professional help.
With professional psychological attention, children’s condition will start to improve. Parents and family members should notice and applaud improvements made by the child, however small or significant. But remember that it will require persistent diligence and tolerance to make progress.
Fighting Feelings of Isolation Within the Family
Living with a child who has OCD can be a tough ordeal on any person. It can be difficult explaining a lot of things to people outside of your household. Not everyone is as tolerant as you would expect them to be. The individuals interacting daily with an OCD child or adult can begin to feel isolated.
Take care of yourself by spending some quality time with friends or coworkers to help you relax. It can be challenging to keep your loved ones engaged in mental health treatment. Caring for an OCD child is an ongoing process. Once treatment begins, the OCD individuals symptoms should begin to regress. Children can begin to have suicidal tendencies if treatment does not begin at the right time.
Dealing With OCD Children Refusing Treatment
A child or an individual can be completely reluctant to seek professional psychological assistance in certain cases. This is especially true if numerous are members living in a household. The child does not want to be labeled ‘mentally deranged’ by any one of the members. The reluctance could also because the mental illness is related to a much deeper personal experience or event.
Remind the individual that nobody is trying to bully them into getting treatment. It is for their own good. Remind the person that seeking help is a sign of courage, not weakness. Emphasize that you are not here to judge whatever event or experience, they have had in the past, that they are dreading.
Special needs issues often cluster together in various combinations.