During preschool age, some children are prone to obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is such a reaction of the child to some psychological trauma or situations of various kinds. Why Preschoolers? At this age, children are already striving to become independent, and adults, in their opinion, are extremely hindering them in this. Because of this condition, the behavior of the child is greatly deteriorating. Also, the syndrome negatively affects his mental development. What should parents do in this case? How to understand what it is - obsessive-compulsive disorder in children? Let's try to answer these and other exciting questions.
Causes of neuroses
If parents do not know the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, they will not be able to prevent this problem from occurring. The degree of manifestation of the syndrome directly depends on the age of the child, on the nature of the situation that caused its appearance, on how deep thisthe situation hurt the child. Psychologists believe that the most common causes are:
- Various psychological trauma that could occur both in the family and in kindergarten.
- Unfavorable family environment (too frequent quarrels, divorce).
- Perhaps the parents made a mistake in their upbringing.
- A change of residence may affect the occurrence of such a condition (moving to a new apartment, changing preschool).
- Syndrome occurs when the child's body is subjected to excessive physical or emotional stress.
- Perhaps the child suffered a severe fright.
This classification can be called conditional, because all children are different. Each of them reacts differently to a particular life situation. But experts are sure that it is these reasons that become the causative agents of serious changes in the behavior and psyche of preschoolers, and later lead to neurosis. Parents need to pay attention to any changes in the behavior of the child. If you do not start treatment on time, then it will be more difficult to cope with neurosis.
It is worth noting that children who have an increased level of anxiety are especially susceptible to the occurrence of such a condition. Their main features are: timidity, suggestibility, resentment, suspiciousness. If you make excessive demands on such a child, then you can hurt his pride. It will be extremely difficult for him to endure any setbacks, even the most minor ones.
How neurosis manifests
What are the symptoms of neurosisobsessive-compulsive disorder in children? How should parents respond to them? Psychologists say that neurosis can manifest itself as follows:
- Child often has the same disturbing thought.
- He performs involuntary actions repeatedly.
- So-called complex behaviors may be observed.
Noticing such actions on the part of your child, it is better to contact a specialist to confirm or refute your concerns.
Obsessive thoughts
Most often, children have an obsessive fear. A child may be very afraid of the dark or visiting a doctor, some are afraid to go to kindergarten, thinking that their mother will not pick them up from there. Many kids have a fear of closed spaces. Some people can't be alone in a room. Quite often, the baby may have the idea that his parents do not love him at all and want to leave him. Against the backdrop of such thoughts, they refuse to attend kindergarten. Some, getting into a new team, think that no one wants to be friends with him.
Repetitive actions
Repeated actions are quite common in preschool age, which gradually develop into a neurosis of obsessive movements. It is not difficult to notice such actions, since the child quite often stamps his feet, shakes his head or flinches. This syndrome can manifest itself in frequent sniffing. Some children twirl their hair or bite their nails, blink rapidly, or clickfingers. There are preschoolers who are very fond of personal hygiene: sniffing often to wipe their nose, washing their hands even if they don’t have to, constantly fixing their hair or clothes.
It is impossible to list all the symptoms of obsessive movements, because each child manifests himself differently. But parents should know that frequently repeated movements are an occasion to watch their child and help him in time.
Obsessive rituals
Some cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder in preschool children are particularly complex. At this stage, obsessive movements become a real ritual for the child. Usually, these are certain movements that are repeated from time to time. For example, a child can walk around an object only to the right or only to the left, or before eating, he needs to clap his hands several times, etc.
With such complex forms of neurosis, there is a deterioration in the general condition of the child. The kid loses his peace, becomes irritable, cries a lot, often throws tantrums to his parents. His sleep is getting worse, he is tormented by nightmares. Appetite and ability to work are also noticeably reduced, the child feels unwell, becomes lethargic, communicates little with others. All this leaves its mark on relationships with relatives and friends, the baby runs the risk of being left alone with his problem.
Do I need therapy
If some parents think the problem will go away on its own, theyare deeply mistaken. On the contrary, the lack of reaction to the problems of children further exacerbates this condition of the kids. Experts from this field argue that it is necessary to begin an immediate fight against the causes that caused the syndrome of obsessive movements and thoughts. It's not a disease, it's a mental disorder. If you do not overcome it in childhood, then it will definitely remind you of itself later. If parents are really interested in the fate of the child, then they will notice changes in the behavior of their child in the early stages and seek help. An experienced psychologist should determine the causes of such a condition, and then prescribe a course of therapy.
Treatment of neuroses
Methods for the treatment and prevention of such ailments have been known for a long time and show good results after application. But a positive outcome is possible only if the parents turned to a specialist for help in time. During treatment, the psychologist gets to know his patient, studies his personality and psychological characteristics. It is important for a specialist to know the type of child's temperament, the level of his mental development, and the peculiarities of perception. The time it takes for a full treatment is determined by the degree of the disorder.
If the form of neurosis is mild, then the specialist does general strengthening exercises with the child and uses various psychotherapeutic techniques in his work. With neurosis, the mental and behavioral reactions of the child are disturbed. Their recovery requires complex treatment. It will include not only psychotherapeutic techniques, but also various medications. The sedatives "Glycine", "Persen", the drug "Milgamma" as a source of vitamin B, the drugs "Cinnarizine" and "Asparkam", which improve the blood supply to the brain, can be prescribed.
Some parents are interested in feedback on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a child. More precisely, they are interested in the work of a particular specialist. And it is right. After all, each psychologist works according to his own methods and builds work individually.
Complications
The great danger of obsessive compulsive disorder is that the disease takes a long time, and also has some complications. More often this happens with those children whose parents did not consider it necessary to seek help. Because of this behavior of adults, the child will have serious personality changes, which will be impossible to get rid of. And some symptoms can harm the baby and his physical he alth.
- There are children who begin to bite their nails during a neurosis. Many people chew their nail plate until it bleeds.
- Other babies prefer to bite their lips.
- Some people pull on zippers, twist buttons, thereby ruining clothes.
Features of the technique
When conducting methods, certain techniques are used:
- The specialist simulates various situations that greatly frighten the child so that he can "live" his fear andunderstand that there is no cause for concern. This relieves anxiety.
- Teaching the child to manage their emotions. The specialist teaches him to suppress his anxiety and deal with emerging aggression. This is necessary to save the baby from obsessive thoughts and movements.
- The child is placed in the company of peers, parents, caregivers, so that he learns to communicate with others.
- Be sure to consult parents to eliminate the source of neurosis. Indeed, in most cases, the problem lies precisely in the family. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the relationship between relatives, to revise the methods of education.
- There is a need to correct the thoughts and emotions of the preschooler, as well as his behavior. For this, psycho-gymnastics is carried out.
To quickly cure neurosis and eliminate all its consequences, it is necessary for parents and competent professionals to work together.
Parents' actions
In solving this problem, you should not rely only on the help of a specialist. Parents also need to take action. You can try the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children at home, using folk remedies to combat such ailments, but this can only be done after consulting with specialists.
- It is recommended to prepare decoctions of mint, chamomile, valerian root to bring the baby's nervous system back to normal.
- Before going to bed, you can give your child a honey drink to help him sleep soundly and calmly.
- In the evening, the child is given soothing baths withadding chamomile or calendula.
- Parents should also constantly work on their own behavior, reconsider relationships in the family.
- It is recommended to read fairy tales with a good ending to your child before going to bed.
- You can turn on music for the child and invite him to dance. So he can throw out all the emotions accumulated during the day.
- Try painting with the kids. Many children like to put their inner state on paper.
- Give your child their favorite food.
I would like to elaborate on the preparation of decoctions and infusions.
To prepare a honey drink you will need: 500 milliliters of boiled warm water and sixty grams of natural honey. One hundred and fifty grams of the resulting liquid must be drunk in three doses. The first results can be seen in a week.
Herbal infusions. For one teaspoon of mint, you need a glass of boiling water. Grass is poured and allowed to brew for twenty minutes. Take half a glass of infusion twice a day. To slightly improve the taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey.
Valerian infusion is also effective. To prepare it, take two tablespoons of dry crushed valerian roots and pour two glasses of cold water, and then put on fire. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let stand for about twenty minutes. The resulting strained infusion is taken twice a day. At one time, you need to drink half a glass of funds.
Camomile is brewed likeregular tea. For a bath, you need to fill in 3 with a slide of Art. spoons of dry herbs in 500 ml of boiling water, let stand, filter the herb fragments, and add the remaining liquid to the bath.
When diagnosing obsessive-compulsive disorder, reviews on how to get rid of the disease on your own can be useful. By studying them, parents will be able to learn a lot from people who have already gone through this. At women's forums, the topic is often raised regarding the treatment of this disease. Moms leave good reviews about the treatment of folk remedies.
Many of them recommend using mint and valerian infusions as they work well. Also, parents are advised to regularly give the child honey water before bedtime. Since it calms the baby, normalizes sleep, relieves disturbing thoughts. Even mothers of he althy children who have never suffered from neuroses recommend giving such water. She will not be able to harm, but she will become a good prevention of neurosis and other mental disorders.
Also in their reviews, parents speak well of the psychologist's classes with their child. Some mothers note that consultations with a specialist helped them establish a trusting relationship with their baby, which had a positive effect on the microclimate in the family.
To scold or not
Some mothers and fathers, when they notice obsessive actions in a child, begin to scold him for it. Doing this is not worth it. If a child bites his lips or bites his nails, then at this moment something is very disturbing or frightening. Trytalk to him calmly, ask what made him so sad. No need to scold him for other movements or actions. After all, they are repeated involuntarily.
Give your child more time, limit his stay at the computer and in front of the TV. It will be better if you spend time with the whole family. You can go to the park together or go out into nature, in the evening invite your child to play a board game or draw a joint drawing. He will be very happy to do something together with mom and dad. This will certainly benefit family relationships. Such actions often bring together not only children and parents, but also mom and dad.
Conclusion
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a real cause for concern. Parents should pay attention to the mental state of their children, otherwise the consequences will be dire. If you seek help from a specialist in time, you can completely get rid of the problem. The doctor will tell you how to build relationships so as not to return to a similar situation again. But don't be selfish. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder at home is possible, but only under the supervision of a specialist and in parallel with the implementation of his methods. Otherwise, it may not only fail, but even aggravate the situation.
