Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively common mental health condition in children — it’s estimated that around 1% of children have OCD. At Ocean View Neuropsychiatry in Laguna Beach and Irvine, California, Ashraf Elmashat, MD, and Mohamed Yaser Elatrozy, MD, diagnose and treat OCD in children and teenagers. If you’re concerned that your child has OCD, call or make an appointment online today.
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder in which intrusive, recurring thoughts or ideas (obsessions) drive you to do something repetitively (compulsions). While everyone has specific routines or rituals they follow, compulsions are often disruptive to your normal daily responsibilities and are driven by fear or a desire to stop or control obsessive thoughts.
While OCD manifests uniquely in each patient, some common obsessions include:
Some common compulsions include:
Fortunately, the doctors at Ocean View Neuropsychiatry can treat and control OCD so your child can lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Your child may not talk about their obsessive thoughts or fears. They might feel embarrassed or confused about their ideas and try to hide their rituals. Some of the signs you might notice include:
If you notice any of these behaviors, it doesn’t necessarily mean your child has OCD, but you should still make an appointment with the doctors at Ocean View Neuropsychiatry for assessment and help.
Dr. Elmashat and Dr. Elatrozy treat children and young people with OCD with a combination of medicine and therapy. While the doctors use the lowest dose of medication possible, they may adjust your child’s prescription as you progress through therapy.
The medicine can regulate your child’s brain chemistry, which reduces their symptoms. This also provides the mental space for your child to explore their fears and intrusive obsessive thoughts in therapy and develop healthy coping strategies for when their obsessions emerge.
Call Ocean View Neuropsychiatry or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and treatment for childhood OCD.