What Might Parents Notice With Their Child With OCD?

Many kids have OCD for a while before parents, teachers or doctors realize it. Parents might only learn about these behaviors or obsessions if their child tells them, or if they notice the child seems overly worried or is doing behaviors that seem like rituals.

Sometimes, parents may notice other difficulties that can be a result of OCD.

For example, OCD can cause kids to:

• Have trouble concentrating on schoolwork, or enjoying activities
• Feel and act irritable, upset, sad or anxious 
• Seem unsure of whether things are o.k.
• Have trouble deciding or choosing
• Take much too long to do everyday tasks, like getting dressed, organizing a backpack, completing homework or taking a shower
• Get upset and lose their temper if they can't make something perfect or if something is out of place
• Insist that a parent say or do something an exact way