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Visit our Bulletin
Board and exchange thoughts and ideas and show support
with other parents of child sufferers.
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By Tamar Chansky
Times Books, US (2001)
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By Mitzi Waltz
O'Reilly, UK (2000)
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If you are a young person
with worries yourself or a parent, guardian, or teacher with concerns
about a child, this section might answer your questions.
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OCD can affect
children, adolescents and adults. At least half of the adults who
get help for OCD already had it as children, but many of these people
did not get help when they were younger. This might be because they
were embarrassed about it, and did not tell anyone, or because doctors
they asked for help did not know how to diagnose or treat OCD.
It seems likely
that if the illness is 'caught' and treated when people are young,
they will suffer less in later life. Recent studies show that OCD
may affect 1% of young people, that means that if there are 500
children in a school, there could be five who have OCD.
Problems with obsessions and compulsions
can cause distress and worry, and can begin to affect young people
at school, with their friends and in their families.
Many children have
mild obsessions and compulsions at some time, for example having
to organise their toys in a special way or saying good night a certain
number of times. This is not OCD. So, parents might ask "What
might be the signs that a young person's rituals are the beginning
of OCD?" To begin to answer this question, assess these three
things:
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Are the rituals
upsetting? |
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Do they take up a lot of time
(more than 1 hour per day) ? |
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Do they interfere with everyday
life (E.g. school, family, friends, etc) ? |
If the answer to these questions
is 'Yes', it may be that the young person has OCD. At this point
it is time to get some advice from a professional.
OCD is a recognised, treatable
problem that affects 1 in 100 young people, so there is no need
to suffer alone. You should tell somebody if you can. Talking
to your family GP is vital as s/he can put you in touch with the
right help.
So, who can help with the
assessment, diagnosis and treatment of OCD ?
OCD is a treatable medical condition, and many general practitioners
will be able to help in the initial assessment. If the young person
needs referral for further assessment and treatment, the family
doctor may suggest a referral to a child psychiatrist or a child
psychologist.
Sometimes young people have another
problem as well as OCD, for example, depression. It is important
that any other difficulties are detected and treated in their
own right (Although depression often gets better as the OCD improves).
If the young person has been unwell for a long time, or their
life has become severely affected by OCD, other professionals
may need to help too, for example teachers or educational social
workers to help the young person get back to ordinary life in
school or college.
 What
is the best treatment for a young person with OCD ?
Over the years people have tried lots of different treatments
for OCD in children and adults, it is now becoming clear that
there are two treatments that work best. One of these is cognitive
behaviour therapy (CBT) and the other is specific medication.
CBT and medication can be given on their own, or in combination.
All young people with OCD should
ideally have access to CBT, and medication too if necessary. Both
of these treatments for children are the subject of active research,
and there is good evidence that they both work well.
Advice for
Parents:
For some young people and their
families it can be helpful for their school to know about their
OCD. This needs to be handled sensitively, and some young people,
particularly teenagers may be reluctant. It is usually helpful
for a key teacher or the head to be aware, as OCD may affect a
young persons school functioning. It is sometimes helpful to give
written information to the school, such as OCD Action leaflets.
Books
for Parents
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Top Tips for Parents |
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Sympathy and understanding
in an accepting approach. |
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Determination – to get
diagnosis and treatment, and to battle OCD. |
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Early diagnosis. |
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Distraction helps ! |
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Encourage involvement in fun
activities. |
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Maintain a positive approach
and sense of humour. |
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Give loads of praise and encouragement. |
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Choose to battle and fight
OCD. |
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Be aware of unwittingly colluding
with OCD. |
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Get as much information as
you can – become your own expert ! |
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Networking – sharing
information through internet, support groups. |
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Take care of your own physical
and mental health ! |
Treatment
for Young People
Source: OCD Action
2002
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Visit our Bulletin
Board and exchange thoughts and ideas and show support
with other parents of child sufferers.
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Dr Isobel Heyman
has helped put together an OCD CD-Rom to give young people with
OCD access to information in a way that they find useful.
Entitled 'Why Me ?' this CD-Rom helps young people, families
and professionals learn more about OCD.
For more information on how to obtain a copy then please visit
our.
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If you want more information in general
about child mental health, including book reviews, websites
and how to find your local child mental health service,
take a look at the Youth
In Mind website. |
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Your road to
recovery could be helped by following some basic lifestyle
guides.
Relaxation, physical exercise, regular sleep patterns
and eating a balanced diet are all important factors in
not only a healthy lifestyle but also in ensuring you
have a better chance of recovering from OCD. |
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OCD
Action.
Aberdeen Centre,
22-24 Highbury Grove,
London,
N5 2EA.
Telephone:
(0) 207 226 4000
Fax:
(0) 207 288 0828.
Email Us |
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Telephone:
+44 (0) 207 226 4000 - Fax: +44 (0) 207 288
0828 
