My 5 year old son is displaying symptoms of OCD after my sister died. Will this pass?

Question

My sister died a couple of months ago and after a delayed reaction, my son now seems to need to touch things (especially me and his Dad) two times. Like if I bump his right knee, he makes me bump the left knee too. It started a few weeks ago and has now gotten really bad. Has this happened to anybody else? Does it pass? I do have an appointment to see a psychologist but just wondering what I should be doing to help make it go away (and am worried that it won't). Any info you can give me would be most appreciated. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

im sorry about your sister too. as for your son, ocd and related disorders are often inherent in ones personaltiy and brain from an early age but are usually only brought to light in certain times of stress,or major changes, moves, family divorces, and other such things like that. i do think from what you say it sounds like your son has a classic case of either ocd or a tic disorder. i have heard though that sometimes these particular symptoms you speak of (physical, more obvious ones as opposed to the abstract, really internally obseessional ones many people struggle with) seem to occasionally dissipate as the child gets older for some reason that i could not explain. is your child extremely bright and i wonder how old? reason being, this also could be early signs of some kind of mild autistic issue. i only say that because a friend of mine only knew her son was autistic after 6 years of him doing werid (non traditionally autistic thing). well as i ramble, i suppose the point is clear. you need a professional. but go to one soon. these behaviors could greatly hinder his ability to relate to others in school and if not treated, could really do some unintentional damage to his ego and confidence throughout his childhood and adolescent years.

if you still want ot read about ocd though as a possibility, consider a couple articles i wrote on the subject, the symptoms and the treatments, including the best books to read on the matter.

From someone who has suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for over 25 years, here are a couple articles about what OCD is and how to treat the disorder:

Understanding and Treating OCD –Three must have books
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/182466/understanding_and_treating_obsessive.html
Treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/293144/treatments_for_obsessive_compulsive.html

Answer 2

The kid is 5, and may have trouble fully understanding what happened. Have a nice talk with him; be calm and collective and tell him that Aunt Susy is in a better place, and we cant do anything for her, except to pray. She knows we love her, and we will always have good memories of her. Ask him why he must do things twice, and really listen to the answer. Ask him if it has anything to do with Aunt Mable. Ask him how he feels. Do you miss her? (yes) Well always know that shes in our heartsm(touch his heart, and look into his eyes) and let him discuss how hes feeling. Never underestimate a kid, either. Tell the psychologist everything you witnessed. Be gentle as well

Answer 3

i would take ur son into the doctor and sorry about ur sister