CBT for Health Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

It is common for kids to have health related worries and fears at different times throughout childhood and adolescence. When they occur sporadically, they are considered normal and tend to resolve on their own. However, for some children and teens, these worries can become overwhelming and significantly disrupt their functioning at home, school, and with friends. In fact,  the American Psychological Association (APA) has reported an increase in health-related anxiety in children and teens since early 2020 when the novel Coronavirus (CoVid-19) outbreak first occurred. A few months ago, we talked about how to talk to your kids about CoVid-19. But how do you know if your child with health-related questions and concerns needs further assessment and treatment?

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What Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Looks Like in Children

Repetitive behaviors and thoughts often occur in children and are typically based on age. Preschool-age children may have preoccupations and routines around meals, bedtimes, and schedules. School-age children often create routines around rules to games, sports, and school. Children of all ages may collect objects, have repetitive interests or hobbies. These thoughts and behaviors are developmentally normal and can often help children manage stress.  So, how can you tell if your child is experiencing normal childhood behavior or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

OCD is a psychological condition that impacts between 1 and 3% of children. The average age of onset is 10 years old, however children as young as six can be diagnosed. These children have unwanted thoughts, feelings, and fears that are called obsessions. Obsessions cause anxiety and to alleviate this distress, children engage in external or internal behaviors called rituals.

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