My eight year old seems to be obsessive compulsive-is that normal?

Question

my eight year old seems obessive complusive-I don't know if its something to be concerened about. She stresses over what she is going to wear to school, she has to stop what ever she is doing to wash her hands....I just noticed we went through a whole bottle of hand soap in a week, she is constantly asking her friends if they are mad at her, she just seems to worry over everything. Should I be concered or is she just a worry wort?

Answer 1

I find that if you have to ask if something is normal, it probably isn't. I don't think that this is something that you need to stress over, but asking the advice of a psychologist is probably a good idea(your pediatrician may be able to refer you).

I think obsession and stress cross the line from normal to problem when it is effecting everyday living and interfering with daily activities, friendships, etc.

It is very possible for children this young to have anxiety and O.C.D. If it is an anxiety/obsessive compulsive disorder it will not clear up on its own and may become worse.

I have an anxiety disorder that began around 7/8 years old. I wasn't treated until I was 14 and by then the habits I had created for myself were very solid and hard to change. The younger she is treated the easier it will be for her.

Consulting a psychiatrist can only help, it is not going to hurt her. On the flip side, ignoring this if it is O.C.D/anxiety will only create more problems.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I think the stressing over what to wear is just being a girl. Unfortuatly kids are becoming more concerned about image at a younger and younger age.
The rest of it does seem more OCD to me. (I have mild OCD)
you should tell her to only use soap before she eats, or after using the washroom. I have an ocd friend who has literally ruined the skin on her hands from washing them with harsh soaps for so many years.
If she seems really stressed out it might be a good idea to talk to your childs doctor, he/she could give you better advice on how to approach the situation.
I myself had to talk to a psychatrist a few times but then my parrents just let me do my thing, and it hasn't really disrupted my life, except for taking forever when shopping because I have to put anything that's not propperly on a hannger back on neatly.

Answer 3

It's normal to obsess over what to wear to school, but obsessive hand washing and worrying aren't. Take her to your pediatrician and share your concerns. That's the first step to finding out if there's more to the situation than just having a worrisome daughter.

Answer 4

Be careful about putting a label on her. Kids model the behavior they see at home. Is their someone else in the family who worries a lot?
I work at an elementary school. We can always see the changes in the girls between 4th and 5th grade. They start talking about one another, crying more because of hurt feelings and dressing more like young girls. Keep an eye on things but don't stress over it.

Answer 5

Thank God she's washing her hands often. Please do not ask her about this...just make sure she has plenty of soap readily available. It's a proven fact that the more one washes their hands they are least likely to get sick. Kudos to her for this. I think the rest is just her age. Yes you have every right to be concerned, however not worried. Just keep an eye on her and everything will be fine. I think everyone has a bit of OCD in them anyway...it's ok. Some of us are worry warts and some aren't. It's ok either way.

Answer 6

Try and keep it under control. My eight year old worries too much as well, i think it is a little girl thing. The best you can do is reason with them until they see the light or until they get over it. In the meantime, watch how much soap your daughter uses when she washes her hands. If you think it is too much, tell her that only a small amount is necessary to fully sanitize the hands, or get some hand sanitizer gel. Also, go to your library and do research on the subject.

"The E'Ville Librarian"

Answer 7

sounds like something worth looking into with her doc. Kids can suffer from anxiety just as much as adults. They have meds for it too if she is diagnosed with ADHD, ADD etc. But do her a favor and talk to her doc. How is she doing in school? Ask her teachers since they cannot suggest to you that she has a problem - its actually illegal for them and not many people know that (my mom works in a school). If you ask them for thier opinion, they can tell you. But they cant offer an opinion w/o you asking. Good luck

Answer 8

The whol rubbing factor sounds notably accepted, the biting factor sounds iffy. She ought to easily prefer to se enamel marks on her palms. The prints they make must be interesting to her. yet to be honest, medical doctors do not inform you any further effective than going to the source. If she would be in a position to speak, she would be in a position to probable supply you a common clarification.

Answer 9

yes you should be concerned, my niece was doing the same things, even more so, she was canstantly changing her clothes washing her hands, brushing her teeth like 20x a day asking everyone if they were mad at her over and over, her situation became very serious. she was taken to a child physciologist who felt she needed a physciatrist who she now sees 1x a week, she was almost put into institution because she was not responding to care, now she has improvement but not much, she takes zoloft everyday now and has been for over a year, she has OCD, physciatrist says my sister in law waited to long for help for her and will be on long term treatment for a while, she is fifteen, she must go now for routine liver function test to make sure organ is ok from meds.my niece was doing all kinds of bad thins very serious issues with her, do not wait even if it is not OCD you should take her to a child physciologist just for evaluation to be on the safe side. good luck, hope it works out ok

Answer 10

I think maybe at this age you should be consulting her pediatrician and then ask him for a reccomendation for a psychologist . I would be most definately worried about obsessive compulsive disorder at this age . good luck .