6 year old Grandson's OCD?

My grandson is a bright, loveable and very sensitive boy.  He's always had OCD tendencies and a little worrier.  He has many friends and is loved by his teachers.  So far the OCD tendancies have not interfered with his daily life (school, etc.)  He attends a catholic school and apparently they started discussing their bodies (per the homework sheet).  He started confessing every "bad" thought he's ever had.  Every time he's ever looked at a person's privates. Apparently he's been exposed to inappropriate movies (even primetime TV is too sexually explicit).  He lives with us but goes to his mom's house on the weekends.  I know my daughter has not intentionally put on an R rated movie, but its obvious he's seen scenes from his comments.  He talks about thinking about putting his private in a girls private and kissing her boobies - now mind you, the first couple of times he told me this I almost fell over.  I calmly asked questions about possible abuse (anyone touch is privates or visa versa).  He said no and I believed him.  I think at that point he would have told me the truth.  I've told him that its normal for a 6 year old to be curious and I will be sure that no one puts in a movie that's inappropriate, but he is not a bad boy, etc.  Now he is so wracked with guilt and confused about sexuality that he can't stop obsessing over it.  I am the only one he talks to about it.  Its been 3 weeks and he doesn't seem to be getting any better.  I've started being more strict to tell him I've already heard it and he needs to move on.  I know he is obsessing and just can't.  I don't know  how to help him learn to change these thoughts.  I have OCD tendancies which started about that age but I was able to learn how to change my thought process.  We have anxiety disorders in the family and his mom, my daughter, is bi-polar.  I'm heartbroken to watch my angel be so tortured.  I don't have alot of faith in the mental health industry after watching my daughter struggle for years with it.  I certainly don't want to drug him up either.  I just want to help him get over these thoughts.  Any suggestions otherwise?  

[jdtm]

certainly don't want to drug him up either.  --  your words


A wise doctor once said - the right medication in the right dose does not "change" you, but corrects you.  If your child had diabetes, would you refuse medication (i.e. insulin)?  If a child appear "drugged" from medication, then the dose is wrong or the precription med is wrong.  

If your grandson does indeed suffer from OCD, he is dealing with one of the more difficult anxiety disorders.  Anxiety is a physical, mental and emotional condition.  Severe anxiety will require medication for the person to learn to control one's fears.  Sorry - but that is a fact - the brain will override issues pertaining to fears in severe anxiety circumstances and the person will not be able to "control" it without help (i.e. medication).  If anyone should understand this, it would be you - several family members unable to control their fears - I believe you said your daughter "struggled" and your grandson is "tortured".  It does appear that your own OCD anxieties tend to be on the mild to moderate side - you're the lucky one (it seems they are not).  It looks in your family as if the anxiety issues are increasing (getting more severe) in each generation.  

I wish there was another alternative but (and you will require a competent medical mental health professional to diagnosis your grandson) if your grandson does indeed have an anxiety disorder in the "severe" range, then he will require medication.  By  the way, if anxiety is the issue, your grandson will not outgrow it nor will it go away (but you already know that).  One more thing - the earlier the diagnosis and treatment; the better the prognosis as children tend to respond quickly and usually favourably to treatment.  I wish you the best ....

[margypops]

I would say that this child has been exposed to something inappropiate and that it would be a good thing for him to have some counselling what you have posted here sounds like a red flag, he is only 6 year old and the things you say he tells you are strange for his age. It would be a good idea to ask a professional what they think.