OCD With a Child - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Copsgrl8 · 01-20-2006, 12:20 AM

I don't really know much about OCD and thought someone could answer me a few questions.

My daughter's teacher (She is 4) told me she shows signs of OCD. I do see something's at home with her like when she is playing with blocks she has to have all the same colors lines up. Or she puts her shoes away she lines them all up along the floor.
When she plays with her "little people" she has to have all the same animals/people together.
Or when she goes to bed her jammies have to match her sheets. Like if she is wearing Carebear jammies she cried and whines for her Carebear sheets. When I refuse to do this she just throws a fit. I try to stay away from character sheets and jammies to avoid this problem.

I don't know if this is something I should worry about or just let it go.
What worries me is if her teacher noticed something she must be doing the same thing at school.

Any ideas/thoughts

Thanks so much

::Terri::

Editor · 01-20-2006, 12:40 AM

Greetings,

I have noticed OCD in my son, now 6, starting at age 2. He mainly has counting rituals. The first one I noticed was he needed to have the legs of the dining room chair line up properly with the pattern in the carpet, or he would cry. I had it when I was young. My mother, sister and at least one cousin had it as well. I still struggle with mine.

Is there any history in your or your husband's family? Probe, because people try to cover this stuff up as it is embarrasing.

Try to help her cope until she is old enough to realize there is a problem and address it. Some people do outgrow it to an extent.

Regards, Brenden.

Copsgrl8 · 01-20-2006, 12:49 AM

Hello

No, there isn't anyone with mine or hubby's family like this. I mean I am a "neat & tidy" person but nothing like I see in my daughter.

When she was younger and I saw the thing she did with the blocks I just thought she was doing patterns and was learning....she started this at the age of 2.

I do see her playing with my son (he is 19 months) and when they are playing blocks she will "SHOW" him how to line all the colors up.
I think it's so sweet she is playing and showing him how to play but do I stop her from doing this with him? And if so HOW do I do it without hurting her feelings

Terri

alliepat · 01-25-2006, 08:41 AM

I don't know if your child does have OCD, but I don't think that it is a terribly abnormal thing for a child of 4 to line up objects by color. My 5 y/o did this and still does some. I believe that this is just a normal part of development. They like to categorize at this age. I don't think that I would stress out about it at this point. JMHO and I am no expert by any means. Have a good day!!

Allie

over-loaded · 01-25-2006, 11:47 PM

I have a teen aged son diagnosed with ocd. He started showing very mild signs at about 5. He wasn't diagnosed until 13. I think it is tough to diagnose, but my advice if you are really worried is have her assessed by a professional...ie a psychiatrist specializing in children. Don't take an untrained person's word for things.