Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes patients with this condition to obsessively repeat a pattern of specific behavior, such as hand washing or counting, to an extreme that disrupts normal daily activities. Approximately 1 percent of children in the United States suffer from this anxiety disorder, according to KidsHealth.org. OCD symptoms for a child may be difficult to detect, because a child may be ashamed of her compulsive behavior.
Excessive Hand Washing
If your child has OCD, you may notice his hands are frequently red or chapped because of excessive hand washing. Parents may also notice that a child spends an excessive amount of time in the bathroom or makes numerous trips to the bathroom each day. The OCD Resource Center of Florida notes that some children may verbally express their concern over dirt, germs or bodily waste. Children with OCD may believe that they cannot touch items that are unclean or contaminated. If the child does touch an item deemed unclean, it is likely to spur excessive washing to rid the body of contamination. If you notice a frequently high water bill or abnormal usage of soap or paper towels, you may want to observe your child for additional symptoms of OCD.
Constant Fear
A child with OCD may express constant fear about a variety of circumstances in her life. You may hear your child express constant fear concerning the health or well-being of a sibling or parent. The child may have an excessive fear of harming herself or others---particularly a parent. Certain children with OCD may be constantly fearful of becoming sick. You may find that your child requires almost constant reassurance if she has thought, done or said something she believes is wrong. If your child asks a question and you provide the answer, she may ask you to repeat the answer several times for reassurance.
Poor School Performance
Children with OCD often perform poorly in school, despite spending a large portion of time on homework or projects. KidsHealth.org states that some children with OCD may experience a sudden drop in test grades at school. While reviewing your child's homework or tests, you may find that there are holes in the paper from extensive eraser marks. Children with OCD may spend hours working on assignments because of the need to recheck answers repeatedly. You may notice that your child frequently traces over letters and numbers on tests or assignments with a writing implement. Your child may also appear inattentive or have difficulty focusing at both school and home---symptoms that are commonly mistaken for attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Repetitive or Ritualistic Behavior
Children with OCD typically exhibit excessively repetitive or ritualistic behavior. If your child has OCD, you may notice that he is adamant about the way in which he gets out of his chair or organizes his desk or bedroom. You may find that your child wanders aimlessly back and forth over a specific spot for an extended amount of time. Compulsive hoarding or collecting is also a symptom of OCD in some children. Your OCD child may need to touch certain items a specific number of times before leaving the home or compulsively check lights, door locks or windows numerous times throughout the day.
