Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis

Definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

All children have worries but children with OCD often cannot stop their worrying thoughts which become obsessional. OCD can often fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorder. Children with OCD often experience obsessional thoughts, such as needing to count to 20, despite the fact that most are aware that these are irrational.

Signs and Symptoms of OCD

These obsessional thoughts can come in many different forms below are just a few examples:

Fear of dirt, germs or contamination
A need for symmetry, order, and precision
Religious obsessions
Preoccupation with body wastes
Lucky and unlucky numbers, needing to count to a certain number
Sexual or aggressive thoughts
Fear of illness or harm coming to oneself or relatives
Preoccupation with household items
Intrusive sounds or words
Some children feel they need to carry out an action despite the fact that most are aware that this is irrational, these actions are called compulsions.

There are some common compulsions that children perform to try and alleviate the anxiety such as:

Hand washing, showering, and teeth brushing
Going in and out of doorways, needing to move through spaces in a special way, or rereading, erasing, and rewriting
Making sure that an appliance is off or a door is locked and repeatedly checking homework
Touching rituals
Rituals to prevent harming self or others
Ordering or arranging objects
Counting rituals
Hoarding and collecting things of no apparent value
Cleaning rituals related to the house or other items

Treatment of OCD

OCD can potentially be treated with medication or talking therapy or a combination of both.

Our OCD Pathway

Each clinician at our centre has their own approach to assessments and treatment, and may tailor their approach depending on the patient's clinical presentation

Please find below an outline of potential elements that may form part of the assessment process:

Some questionnaires may be required to be completed by yourself or other 3rd parties (such as your child's teacher(s) if you are in agreement), during the assessment appointment(s) process.
(For children) we require any contact with school to be arranged via yourself, as neither our clinician nor office will contact your child's school directly.
Weight, height, pulse and blood pressure may potentially be taken (if applicable), or if the appointment is via Zoom, you may be asked to arrange this before or after an appointment.
Depending on the patient's (and family's) medical history, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and/or blood tests may be required. If so, any such tests are not included within our centre's fees and are payable directly to the relevant clinics whom undertake them.
Psychoeducation strategies may be offered and in addition some written resources may be provided.
Medication may potentially be discussed and prescribed during the assessment process if relevant consent obtained.