Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children
To study this disease began in 1617, and in 1875 M. Legrand de Sol fully described this disease in his scientific works. Obsessive-compulsive disorder most often diagnoses in children in the 10th age.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of the disease are essentially obsessive thoughts that persecute children, here are a few of them:
- a constant fear of getting smeared out of contact with other people or with shoes, clothes;
- constant doubts about whether the window is closed, the door, and whether the light, stove or TV is off;
- fear of a large amount of homework;
- constant concern about: whether the textbooks are lying correctly or whether clothes are correctly hung;
- fear that it can harm the environment, for example, a pet;
- is constantly uncertain about its abilities.
There are not only obsessive thoughts, but also actions, for example:
- the child often washes his hands or takes a bath,
- comes up with a variety of rituals of behavior, for example, when going home he must necessarily walk through all rooms and touch various furnishings;
- the child constantly repeats some words;
- avoids situations, which, as it seems to him, it can cause trouble.
Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder can have problems with study, behavior, often there are conflicts with classmates, there is insomnia, the child often swears with parents.
Causes of the disease
Several main causes of diseases are identified:
- Genetics.
- Consequences of streptococcal infections.
- Consequences of schizophrenia.
- Consequences of epilepsy.
- Migrated craniocereberal trams.
Recently, one of the scientific laboratories has shown evidence that a disease that has occurred in children can appear due to heredity. A study was conducted in which it was found that if a child has an obsessive-compulsive disorder, then one of the relatives also suffers from the same disease.
Scientists have conducted many studies and looked for a link between streptococcal infections and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Began to conduct these studies, because one child who suffered from streptococcal infection, there was this disorder. Until now, it has not been proven at all that a type of infection can cause obsessive-compulsive disorder, but research is still ongoing.
Diagnosis of the disease
Many doctors start diagnostics by checking the daily rituals of the child. If the child has symptoms of the disease, then his daily rituals turn into intrusive actions.
If the child has the first depressive disorder, then they can lead to symptoms of the obsessive-compulsive diagnosis.
The psychologist checks the child for undifferentiated emotional disorders, that is, reveals all sorts of fears.
Another psychologist finds out if the child has an autistic spectrum disorder, that is, if he has any obsessive rituals or compulsive behavior.
Also, with schizophrenia, there can be obsessions and compulsions, so the psychologist tries to find out the schizophrenia in the child or, after all, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Anorexia nervosa also has obsessive-compulsive properties, but they are related to food. The specialist checks these properties in the child in order to correctly diagnose.
Treatment of
In general, children are treated in the same way as adults. It conducts cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, it is also called "Prevention and exposure of reactions."At the moment this is the most effective method of treatment.
Still apply the method of CBT( Cognitive restructuring).This method is very valuable in the treatment of young children. Recently, another method of treatment - EPR has been developed.
EPR is the way in which a psychologist tells small stories based on the child's obsessions. EPR is often combined with standard methods and cognitive restructuring. Applying this method, doctors noticed that the intensity and frequency of symptoms of the disease is significantly reduced.
As for the treatment of this disease, suggestion and hypnosis are used. With the help of hypnosis the child quickly forgets all his fears, and psychologists fix the results.
Children compared with adults have specific age problems, which complicates treatment. Many children do not have enough cognitive and emotional skills to completely eradicate their fears and cease to behave compulsively. The child faces many difficulties, they can not explain their actions or articulate their fears. Still children often do not admit that their fears are exaggerated and unrealistic. Many children are shy and shy, so they refuse to tell not only doctors about their problems, but also parents.
Many children think that if they tell about their fears, they will necessarily come true and become a reality. Some preschoolers and schoolchildren believe that they are all right or the disease itself will pass.
To cure a child with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is necessary to find not just a good psychiatrist, but that he can also locate a child.
Group treatment of
children In addition to individual psychotherapy, a group therapy is used. Many children observe the behavior of their peers, start to do the same. Therefore, group psychotherapy is very effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. In group psychotherapy, children focus their attention not only on the specialist, but also on each other. The group does not last long. Children in psychotherapy study tools to reduce and manage the symptoms of the disease. They help themselves reduce the sense of shame and isolation. In the same way, children learn to adapt at the therapy sessions, they improve their learning outcomes, which were significantly reduced during the illness.
Rehabilitation after a compulsive disorder
Rehabilitation should take place in a close family environment. The child should be gradually taught interaction with classmates, teach skills that will be useful in everyday life. After the sessions of psychotherapy, the child begins to believe in his strength, begins to love himself, takes possession of ways to solve his problems.
