Kids with OCD are possible.
Contrary to popular belief, obsessive compulsive disorder is not a condition confined mainly within the adult population.
In fact, statistics show that every 1 in 200 children suffer from OCD.
Termed as an anxiety disorder, kids showcase the same symptoms as adults.
Children suffering from this condition can become very occupied with a specific task, item or thought.
OCD can be emotionally disturbing for the sufferer and these problems tax children more than they do adults.
This is why parents that notice OCD in their children are advised to seek the help of a doctor as soon as possible.
Some of the symptoms shown by kids with OCD include fixation on thoughts or images.
Children will find this very hard to shake off, often asking an adult about it over and over again.
Children with this disorder often have specific "rituals" that they need to follow every day.
Everything for them has to be "just right" and they will often fixate on it until they get the exact situation they want.
In some cases, these obsessions extend to specific items, often prompting them to worry with the loss of minute items, sometimes even checking them multiple times each day.
Common "rituals" of kids with OCD include washing hands over and over again, hoarding, rearranging items into specific places, having strict rituals before doing any activity, counting objects repeatedly, repetitive checks of doors, repeating actions over and over again as well as repeating specific words.
Some of their obsessions include fear of germs, lucky numbers need to create order in a setting, fear that something bad will happen to their friend, family or loved one.
Of course, kids with this disorder often showcase different rituals and obsessions, making it necessary for doctors to make the proper diagnosis.
There are basically two types of treatment for kids with ocd: therapy and medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been tagged as the best treatment for sufferers, offering them a long-term solution to the problem.
The CBT approach of the therapist may vary depending on the child's specific obsession.
For example, kids that suffer from this condition that show marked fear of dirt and germs will be encouraged to play with items that they deem dirty.
With this approach, therapists manage to get through the underlying trigger of the anxiety and help children overcome the fixation.
With constant exposure to something they fear, children will have the opportunity to learn and ultimately be comfortable with their core fear.
Medication treatment for kids with OCD involves the intake of specific drugs or using natural herbal remedies.
The latter is actually used by some because they are thought to be "safer" as a treatment.
In most cases however, medication is provided ALONG with therapy.
This provides better control for kids dealing with this condition, allowing them to fully get over the problem.
Note that kids suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder are not facing a situation that's particularly life-threatening.
Many people today are easily coping with OCD to the point where it no longer disrupts their life.
However, this is only possible if the children are given the proper attention by the people concerned.