Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is diagnosed in approximately 2% - 3% of all children and young adults in the U.S.A. One difference between adults who have OCD and children or young adults who have OCD is that adults usually understand that the obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable or excessive where children and young adults cannot always make that connection.

Some typical obsessions and compulsions that children and young adults may experience when they have OCD are:

Unrealistic fears of being contaminated, or of causing harm to others

Strange sexual thoughts

Repetitive behaviors such as rereading, rewriting, or checking answers again and again and again.

Cleaning, counting, ordering or doing something over and over again because it doesn't feel "just right".

They may ask the same question over and over again even if they have already received the answer several times.

Studies have found that anywhere from one half to two thirds of all adults who suffer from OCD had symptoms as children.

There are two peak ages ranges at which OCD onset generally occurs they are: 10 - 12 years and again in young adulthood in the early 20's and early 30's.

The treatment for children with OCD only differs from the treatment that adults receive in that the therapy is made more "child-friendly" and in terms that a child can understand.

Medication is only used for children and teens when the symptoms that they are experiencing are severe and causes significant OCD-related distress so that the problems in school or at home are to such an extent that medication is warranted where the benefits out-weight the risks posed by the medications.

The side-effects that children or teens may experience using medications for OCD may include agitation and headaches, drowsiness, and stomach upsets. Mood switching is rare but can occur in children and teens. Close monitoring by the psychiatrist while undergoing medication therapy is highly recommended. The smallest dose possible should be used when treating children or teens. Most children do metabolize medications rapidly and it usually does require the use of higher doses in order to have the affect desired on the symptoms. This is why it is imperative that they be monitored for safety and should be done on a case-by-case basis. It may take up to 2 to 3 months of medication therapy for there to be a significant improvement in behavior. There may be ongoing improvement for up to one year after starting the medication. The majority of psychiatrists agree that 9 to 18 months of treatment is the optimal duration of treatment for children with OCD, followed by a very gradual decrease in dosage. Possible relapse after discontinuation of medications is more common when medication therapy is used alone than when cognitive-behavior therapy is used in conjunction with medication therapy.

It is important that teachers, organizational leaders and any adult involved in activities with a child with OCD be educated regarding the particulars of OCD especially the reasons for the behavior and how best to deal with the child or teen should the behavior occur during class time or during organizational time.