Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Many children have thoughts that occasionally bother them, or behaviours that they feel like they have to do even if it doesn’t make sense, such as wearing a piece of lucky clothing. But when these thoughts and actions cause distress or get in the way of life it can help to seek support.

More common than you think, OCD is estimated to occur 1 in every 50 Australian children.

— Medicine Today

OCD in kids

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children is a complex condition that can significantly impact well-being. As a pediatric naturopath, Kate understands the unique challenges that children and teenagers with OCD face and offers a holistic approach to support their cognitive and mental health.

What is OCD?

OCD is a mental health condition involving the brain and behaviour, that revolves around obsessions and compulsions:

  • Obsessions: thoughts, urges, or images that a child can’t stop thinking about and doesn’t want e.g. being worried about getting sick from germs, thinking something terrible will happen

  • Compulsions: actions that a child feels they need to do repetitively, in an attempt to stop obsessive thoughts e.g. washing hands, tapping, counting, hoarding,

Many kids experience times when they have obsessions or compulsions, such as wearing lucky socks or favourite routines before bed. But when these begin to take up time, happen very frequently, interfere with daily activities or begin to cause distress, it could benefit from further support.

OCD can be diagnosed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or paediatrician. Kate has found that success for her clients experiencing obsessions and compulsions comes when utilising a collaborative approach. This can look like working with psychologists and psychiatrists to help manage anxiety, while also addressing nutritional deficiencies, gut health, infections such as strep and genetic predispositions.

Alongside traditional OCD therapy, Kate utilises evidence-based treatments, such as natural remedies and supplements for intrusive thoughts. She provides guidance on incorporating vitamin supplements and other holistic approaches into the treatment plan.

Common symptoms

Childhood OCD manifests through a variety of symptoms, varying from child to child. These can include:

  • intrusive, distressing thoughts or fears

  • repetitive behaviours or rituals performed in response to obsessions

  • anxiety and emotional distress.

  • difficulty concentrating on tasks due to obsessions and compulsions

  • slowness and anxiety around completing tasks such as getting dressed

  • conflict over seemingly small things like getting dressed, preparing food, setting the table

  • fear of germs, dirt or contamination

  • compulsive handwashing, avoiding touching certain objects

  • obsession with safety concerns such as fire or burglary

  • frequent checking of switches, appliances, locks

  • excessive hoarding and anxiety around discarding or organising belongings

  • obsessively arranging objects in a specific way or requiring perfect symmetry, spending excessive time until they feel it is just right.

  • worrying about committing sinful or morally wrong acts

  • intrusive thoughts or mental images that are violent or inappropriate

  • repeatedly seeking reassurance to alleviate anxiety

Common causes and risk factors

The causes of childhood OCD are multifaceted and may include:

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin

  • Environmental factors, including stress and trauma

  • Family history of OCD or related disorders

In some instances, OCD symptoms occur suddenly, and often after signs of illness such as a sore throat, from infection such as strep. Symptoms ease and worsen in a flare type pattern.

In these cases, it is important to consider and exclude the possibility of PANS/PANDAS, a condition of immune dysregulation. Read more here.

Naturopathic approach

Kate takes a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to managing childhood OCD, with a holistic approach that addresses the root causes and symptoms of this condition. This will include:

Initial appointment: Understanding the underlying causes of OCD is crucial in providing effective treatment, so we begin with taking a thorough case history, which includes discussions with parents and the child around medical history, diet, sleep, stress, genetic predisposition and past pathology testing.

Personalised Treatment Plans: Kate prepares an individualised treatment plan based on the child's assessment. These plans may include evidence-based natural remedies, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes tailored to the child's specific requirements.

Dietary and Nutritional Guidance: Nutrition plays an important role in supporting cognitive and emotional health. Kate provides dietary recommendations that may help alleviate OCD symptoms, based on the latest research in nutritional psychiatry.

Stress Management and Mindfulness: Stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises can help children cope with anxiety and emotional distress associated with OCD.

Herbal and Nutritional Supplements: Kate may recommend safe and effective herbs and supplements that have shown promise in managing OCD symptoms.

Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle changes, including improvements in sleep patterns, regular exercise, and reducing environmental stressors, are integrated to support mental health.

Collaborative Care: Kate believes in a collaborative approach to care. If necessary, we work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support in conjunction with psychologists and other mental health professionals to ensure a well-rounded approach to OCD therapy.

Additional resources

  1. Raising Children Website - Information for parents with children experiencing OCD.

  2. OCD? Not me! - an online treatment program for young people aged 12-18 that provides tips, activities, and support to help navigate OCD symptoms.

  3. Kids Helpline - for free and confidential service providing information on anxiety, and on-call support at 1800 55 1800 or via webchat 24 hours a day.

  4. Anxiety Recovery Centre OCD & Anxiety Helpline - OCD and Anxiety Helpline (1300 269 438 or 03 9830 0533) available Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm

  5. SoOCD - An up to date Australian resource for anyone wanting to learn more about OCD - not paediatric specific

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References:

  1. Rajith, Ravindren; Krishnakumar, Padinharath. (2022). Clinical Profile of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care Link

  2. Kalra, S. K., & Swedo, S. E. (2009). Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder: Are they just “little adults”? The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Link

  3. Krebs, G., & Heyman, I. (2015). Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Link

Hi, I’m Kate

I’m a degree-qualified naturopath with a passion [or maybe obsession] for anything related to the brain: how it works, why things go wrong, and what we can do to support it.

I work with kids, from toddlers to adolescents, supporting conditions such as anxiety, PANS & PANDAS, OCD, ADHD, behavioural issues, sleep difficulties and other conditions of gut-brain dysfunction.

I love research and science, and I want to understand deeply the how and the why of the ways our bodies work, but also respect and incorporate traditional naturopathic knowledge such as herbal medicine and functional testing when appropriate.

Outside my clinic time, I am busy being a mother to two children and two dogs, living and playing on Wurundjeri land in North Warrandyte.