Can a three year old exhibit signs of an obsessive personality or obsessive compulsive disorder?

Question

My daughter may show some signs of an obsessive personality but I am just wondering if it is genetic or learned and how I could possibly help her understand herself better.

Answer 1

Children are repetive by nature - "are we there yet" is proabably the most infamous display. Some children may repeatedly wash hands after learning of germs - but it passes, same with a child who will only eat white foods, or will only sleep with a pink rabbit, all of these are signs of a child learning the limitations and controls they weild on the world around them. The parents job is to help them pass the stage - The child that eats only white foods - can lean that califlower comes in purple and be introduced to one new food a week to learn the richness of dining-for the repetive child - teach them to help with directions and incorporate time readings (all current map programs provide times all you need to do is insert a clock) - the obsessive - the child that washes hands too much can be taught of the wonder of clay and that we need to be "dirty"sometimes so we can laugh at life and create beauty. The child who clings to a beloved toy will learn they are loved and lean as you must one day (but not too soon) to let go and the toy will be forgotton - you just need to put it aside for the story of it later. Many children keep obsessive behaviors because they are reinforced and the child learns that it is acceptable behavior. It is not until much later in life - most professionals agree - mid to late teens, early 20's and during times of extreme anxity. Even then most recover with therapy that disuades the repetive behavior. Only a very few never fully recover. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I'm a dad, not a pyschologist. I think compulsive behavior is common is pre-schoolers. The question is, at what point does the average child put aside obsessive-compulsive impulses?

I personally didn't worry about such behavior because it's part of the learning process. Some of this is just practicing what they have recently learned. Seeing compulsive behavior in a 12 year old though would beg for a chat with a clinical psychologist.

Answer 3

Yes, a 3 yr old can exhibit signs of OCD. Keep an eye on her and try to distract her from repetitive actions. If that doesn't work, you can have her examined by a doctor for diagnosis. It may be nothing; it could be something else. The doctor may recommend behavioral therapy.

Answer 4

Obsessive personality? Little kids all have obsessive personalities. Its how they are. My sister had my father read her the same book twice a day for 3 years. She would listen to this record called, "Winky Dink," all day every day when she was 5. "Winky Dink," was not a profound piece of music that merited such attention.

Answer 5

Yes your daughter could be exhibiting the signs but may not be affected. She may just be mimicing what she see's and hear's.

Answer 6

My thinking is you or her father show the signs and she's imitating. Children always pretend to be their parents at that age.

Answer 7

Blu said it best.

Toddlers have a tendency to act that way and it is normal to an extent.