Both hypertoncity and OCD are conditions that impact your child's brain and how it functions. Hypertonicity most often occurs in response to a brain injury, and OCD is a mental disorder that causes certain fearful behaviors your child may have. Having a clear picture of each condition along with as possible treatment options will help you to work with your child's doctor to find an effective course of treatment.
Hypertonicity
Hypertonicity is a form of severe brain damage that affects how the brain and muscles function. This condition occurs when a child suffers a severe enough injury to the brain or spinal cord that causes abnormal brain development. Hypertonic muscles are stiff and tense, which makes them difficult and painful to move. The muscles also do not relax properly, which may increase the pain level. Children with hypertonicity may also have a difficult time swallowing their food. Temporary hypertonicity, and other muscular problems, may occur in response to certain medications, including some antidepressants prescribed for OCD.
Treatment
One of the most common treatments for hypertonicity is medication. The Miller Children's Hospital reports that oral medications are often prescribed to children with hypertonicity. Injections, such as Botox or Myobloc, or pumps to administer medication are also used in some cases. Mary Beth Braun and Stephanie J. Simonson, authors of Introduction to Massage Therapy, report that massage may also be beneficial in treating hypertonicity because it helps to relax the muscles. Massage may also help reduce the pain associated with hypertonicity. Other treatments may include ice packs or heat packs to ease the muscle stiffness and pain.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
If your child has obsessive-compulsive disorder, he worries constantly and his worries get in the way of his daily functioning. The worries also cause your child to behave in ways that he normally would not. Children with OCD worry that something could be dangerous, cause harm or be dirty. These anxieties result in obsessive behavior, such as constant hand washing, arranging objects in a certain order, checking that appliances have been turned off, or cleaning or collecting things. If your child displays constant fear of something, such as germs, and has abnormal behaviors around that fear, make an appointment with his pediatrician to determine an appropriate course of treatment.
Treatment
Medication and behavioral therapy are the two most common ways to treat OCD. Medicine helps alter the chemicals in your child's brain so his fears are lessened. Cognitive behavior therapy is also often used with children who have OCD, and requires that a child be exposed to his fear so that he can learn new ways to cope with it. The therapy also requires that a child not react to the fear so he is able to learn that nothing bad happens when he does not perform his rituals. KidsHealth notes that OCD can worsen over time, so if your child has symptoms, work with his pediatrician to find a therapist to treat him right away.
Links
While hypertonicity cannot cause OCD, and OCD does not lead to hypertonicity, certain medications often prescribed for symptoms of OCD may cause temporary hypertonicity. Robert Hudak and Darin Dougherty, authors of Clinical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders in Adults and Children, report that your child may experience muscle tightening and jerky movements in response to certain antidepressant medications. While this is not a common phenomenon among OCD children, lowering the dosage of medication may help prevent hypertonicity symptoms. Changing medication may also help, Hudak and Dougherty note.
References
- KidsHealth: Obessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Miller Children's Hospital: Hypertonicity Outpatient Care
- Introduction to Massage Therapy; Mary Beth Braun and Stephanie J. Simonson
- Clinical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders in Adults and Children; Robert Hudak, M.D., and Darin Dougherty, M.D.
