One group of diseases that we cannot attribute to children are psychiatric diseases. However, today, children also have psychiatric problems and need treatments, which can be evaluated with the increasing need for specialists in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases.
Orderly, controlling, doing everything in order, having strict rules, seeming more mature than their age. Children who behave well can be a joy for families. There were some ceremonial habits in childhood, such as preparation at bedtime, preparation at school time, preparation for studying, preparation for meals, etc. These can be considered normal situations to a certain extent. However, if the child experiences things such as tension, anxiety, restlessness, and irritability when there are disruptions in these routines and changes in order, this should be taken into consideration.
Many of us have daily routines, that is, actions that they perform sequentially. (such as checking the door and stove before leaving the house, checking when locking the door, checking the inside of the bag several times, etc.). This is a normal situation that does not disrupt functionality, that is, the flow of life. When these routines start to be performed in the same order and when they are not, intense anxiety, the thought that something bad will happen, being late for the destination, and increases in control are experienced, it can be considered as obsessive behavior. Thoughts or fantasies are called obsessive thoughts (something bad will happen to the parents, my mother will forget me at school, I am a bad child, etc.).
Repetitive obsessive behaviors to get rid of these thoughts are called compulsions. . (such as frequent hand washing, asking the same question many times, touching a certain place in a count, frequent checks, etc.). These are not Tics or Repetitive Behaviors. These are behaviors that, if not done, cause anxiety, fear and distress in the person.
''A 9-year-old boy constantly sees his 5-month-old sister falling out of bed in his dreams. That's why he wakes up and constantly checks on his brother. Over time, even when he is at school, he calls the house or asks his mother to come to school with his sibling out of concern that something will happen to his sibling. This situation no longer affects the daily life of the child negatively. started to. Functions such as sleeping, feeding, attending school, studying, and spending time with friends are clearly impaired.
''A 7-year-old girl frequently asks her mother affirmative words such as 'I won't die if I can't swallow, right', out of concern that something will constantly get stuck in her throat and she won't be able to breathe. Even though this situation is confirmed, the child experiences disruptions in activities such as eating and drinking and difficulties in breathing, with the fear of drowning even when drinking water. Many examples of obsessive thoughts and behaviors like this can be given. In this case, it is important to have a good disease history, family history, and evaluation of family attitudes towards the situation. Because OCD is a long-term disorder with an insidious onset, especially in children. Obsessive, controlling, anxious family attitudes can be triggering. In addition, it should be kept in mind that there may be other accompanying psychiatric problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tic Disorders, and Conduct Disorders.
OCD treatment is evaluated and treated as in adults. Early-onset obsessive conditions can cause significant problems in adulthood if left untreated. First of all, the child and the family should be informed about the disease, the treatment will be long-term, symptoms may flare up from time to time, and the importance of family attitudes should be explained. Details of treatment with medication and behavioral therapy methods should be discussed.
The solution is based on cooperation. The importance of cooperation between the physician, the child, the family and members of the immediate environment should be discussed.
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