How parents should do to deal with OCD in children

Do you often catch your little one doing the same things over and over again for no apparent reason? For example, tidying up his bag many times when going to school or your little one often washing his hands repeatedly even though his hands are clean and dry? If the answer is yes, this could be a sign that your little one is naturalObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). So, how should parents deal with OCD in children? Can OCD in children be cured?

Understanding OCD in children

OCD is a psychological condition characterized by uncontrolled anxious thoughts about something alias obsessive. This will cause the sufferer to do something compulsively or repeatedly, so that the anxiety is gone.

OCD in children that causes a child gradually compulsive doing something repetitive or a certain "ritual" to get rid of the anxiety. For example, a child is so obsessed with the cleanliness of his hands that he subconsciously wash his hands many times until he is sure that his hands are free of germs.

Then, how do parents deal with OCD in children?

OCD in children is diagnosed when their repetitive behavior takes up a lot of time, causes stress, and interferes with their daily activities, such as school. Usually, children who have OCD will often feel depressed and disturbed. So that, your little one needs you, as a parent, to help him deal with this problem.

Children with OCD need special treatment, they cannot be equated with other normal children. Here are some ways you can deal with OCD in children.

1. Explain to your child the problem he has

To make it easier to care for him, you must be able to tell your little one what he is experiencing at this time. Not only what is OCD disease, but also how does this disorder affect the mind and behavior.

Of course, to be able to tell clearly, you have to fully understand the ins and outs of OCD in children. You can start from searching for information on the internet with reliable sources or asking questions with psychiatrists and psychologists.

However, of course the information that you will convey must be according to the age of your little one. The bigger it is, the more likely you are to explain all about OCD.

You can also take him directly to a psychiatrist and psychologist for further assistance. Experts will help you to explain to your little one about the disease.

2. Create a 'nickname' for the disease

The easiest way to explain a child about OCD is to name OCD as "someone else" who controls the child's thoughts. You can call OCD by the name "the evil one" or any other creative name that can describe OCD in children.

You can tell him that this bad guy often comes around and asks him to do all kinds of weird things. Also tell him that he can cast out and refuse orders from "the evil one" so that this evil one can go away and not bother him anymore.

3. Don't say "stop doing that!"

When your child continues to do unreasonable things like check his bag over and over again, you should not tell him to stop. Children tend to feel that you are "attacking" them, telling them to stop doing things that actually calm them down.

Use the name "the evil one" to ask him to stop. You can say, “Looks like the evil one told you to check your bag many times, right? Come on fight the evil one. Tell him that you have checked the bag, and there is nothing wrong with the bag! "

4. Give confidence in the child

OCD in children causes your little one to often feel disbelief and anxious. She worries if she doesn't wash her hands many times, isn't sure if she locked the door, and doesn't believe that her book is in her bag.

Every time your little one asks you a question to reassure himself, answer it patiently and give confidence so that the child is not anxious. For example, when your child is not sure if the book is in the bag and checks many times, you can say, “I'm sure, you put it in the bag, and you checked it earlier. Tell the evil one that your book is safe in your bag. " Avoid saying in a negative tone like, “Haven't you checked it a hundred times? You will only make yourself late for school! ”

5. Encourage and accompany the child in following therapy

Not a few children are reluctant when invited to do therapy. Well, you have to be very clever in persuading your little one to undergo all the therapy that he has to undergo. Give understanding to your little one, if this therapy is one way to get rid of the evil one.

The therapy that is usually done to treat OCD in children is the CBT program or Cognitive behavioral therapy. Through this therapy, children will be invited to familiarize themselves and understand what to do when they feel anxious and do things repeatedly.

For example, if your child feels that he will get sick when he doesn't wash his hands all the time, the therapist will help the little one learn that nothing bad happens if the child stops this behavior.

In the process of therapy, children will be invited to hold something they think is dirty and allow themselves not to wash their hands for some time. The goal is to show that he won't get sick even if he doesn't wash his hands all the time.

OCD in children is a condition that can drain your mind, energy, and emotions as a parent. So that you do not share the stress, you can find or join other parents who have children with OCD.

By finding friends in arms, you can share information and support. Your child will also get emotional support when he realizes that he is not alone. In addition, regularly seeing a doctor or psychologist will help not only your child, but also you.