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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Compulsive obsessive pre-teen
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Compulsive obsessive pre-teen
by Valerie, Dec 23, 2000 12:00AM
Help! Help! Help! Six months ago, my 14 year old started exhibiting small compulsions such as stepping into and out of the room a few times before he'd enter it. Within weeks, more odd behaviors were noted: washing his hands for a long time in extremely hot water, walking a set pattern around the kitchen floor before he'd exit it, turning around 3 times before walking, long periods of silence, mumbling something under his breath after everything he says, touching the doorknobs three times before leaving the bathroom, etc. When asked what he's doing, he says "nothing, what's wrong?" There are new compulsions almost daily and I'm getting really concerned. About a month after they first began, I talked to him about some of the "habits" I'd noticed. He freely admitted that they made him comfortable to do them. I explained that they are harmless unless they begin to prohibit him from moving about his day and performing normal daily functions. Since then, I've tried bringing them to his attention occasionally to help him be aware of them and to halt their progression. Yet, he seems more irritated at me for doing so and says, "Ď'm not hurting anyone." They are getting more bizarre and annoying...to the point that his older brother is calling him weird and strange for doing bizarre things. I'm afraid that these comments will scar him and he'll begin seeing himself as "weird." He's a really sweet kid, 4.0 student, very family oriented and loves traditions and routines. I don't want to see him locked within his own self. Please tell me where to start. Is a trip to the pediatrition the first step. Can help be found without using drugs? Do I tell him why we're seeking help? Will that make him think "something is wrong with me?" HELP! HELP! HELP BEFORE IT GOES ANY FURTHER. Thank you so much.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Dec 23, 2000 12:00AM
, Dec 23, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Valerie,
On my way to the airport, I saw your question, and will reply as soon as I return. Dr. KDK
On my way to the airport, I saw your question, and will reply as soon as I return. Dr. KDK
Your son probably is displaying Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and the priority now is to have him evaluated by a child psychiatrist. The benefit of a trip to the pediatrician would be to conduct basic lab work, but it is very likely to be entirely normal.
If your son does display OCD, medication will be absolutely necessary. With the degree of severity that he displays, there is really no alternative. Medication such as Luvox (and perhaps a short while on an anti-psychotic medication to allay acute anxiety as well), in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy, should bring some relief. Dr. KDK