OCD: An Overlooked Teen Anxiety Disorder

If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms: obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, frequent mood swings, extreme shyness or isolating behaviors or depression, your child may be suffering from one of many teen anxiety disorders.

If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms: obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, frequent mood swings, extreme shyness or isolating behaviors or depression, your child may be suffering from one of many teen anxiety disorders.  While some of these behaviors are identifiable rather easily, many of the physical symptoms associated with such disorders are not so visible, unless you are very much in tune with your child.  These symptoms may include difficulties breathing, frequent headaches, nausea, dizziness, problems sleeping, elevated heart and pulse rate and on and off again eating patterns. 

If you can relate to any of these symptoms, you may agree that nowadays it seems that there are more kids on anti-depressants than are not.  And even though depression and ADHD behaviors are the most common reason for prescribing drugs for our kids these days, there are certainly others plaguing our kids and teen today.  Obsessive compulsive disorder is one of the more common anxiety disorders among teens. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis Being a perfectionist can make you exhibit some of the same behaviors as someone with OCD, however when you are strictly a perfectionist, you can control your behavior. Wanting everything the best it can be is one thing, maximizing your potential is a great trait of someone who is defined as a perfectionist. However, people that suffer from OCD tendencies take perfectionism to a whole new level. Breaking down because something has been moved or touched by an outsider, numbering your socks or labeling them left and right is way over the top. These are not uncommon behaviors for people with OCD; it is however, not something a perfectionist would relate to. Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

However, it is often overlooked or blanketed into a more common category such as manic depressive or anti-social disorders.  In fact, did you know that bulimia and anorexia are often associated with OCD because it normally starts as obsessive thoughts geared toward being thin and good looking?  OCD can be a very debilitating disorder.  Not only is the person bombarded by troublesome thoughts all of the time, but it can lead to serious behavioral problems such as cutting, eating disorders and the like.   For example, kids may become obsessed with thoughts of becoming popular or staying thin.  Although it is common for kids to go through generalized thoughts such as these, when the thoughts consume who they are, the issue is a deeper one and should be addressed.  Parents can never be too careful when monitoring their children's behavioral patterns.  If you see the warning signs, seek help from a professional. 

So, how can you treat anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder?  Believe it or not, you have many options both conventional and holistic in nature.  Some of the most common forms of treatment include cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, reflexology, biofeedback therapy, herbal medicine and of course prescription drugs.  The process of finding a therapy that works for you or your teen is normally through trial and error process.  Some people respond better to conventional treatment than others, and vice versa.  There is however, no substitute for knowledge to make educated decisions.