When to See a Developmental Pediatrician: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Is your child exhibiting recurring behaviors such as repetitively washing hands or checking locks? If so, your child could have obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD. Dr. Alison Smoller, and nurse practitioners Melanie Denardo and Morgan Sabins, at Developmental Pediatrics in Central Jersey, in Ocean, NJ, provide a wide range of pediatric services, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and other disorders. They proudly serve residents of Ocean and Monmouth County, NJ areas.

What You Need To Know About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder involving intrusive, unwanted thoughts. These thoughts or obsessions are based on fears and phobias. The thoughts are dealt with by performing repetitive, ritualistic actions or compulsions. Some of these actions include:

• Excessive handwashing
• Checking and rechecking
• Putting clothes or things in the same order
• Counting and recounting
• Repeating words spoken by others or themselves
• Asking the same questions over and over

If you notice any of these behaviors, it’s time to visit our developmental pediatrician and psychiatric nurse practitioner for an evaluation. The evaluation will establish whether your child has obsessions or compulsions that are disrupting your child’s life. During the evaluation, our provider will:

• Perform a thorough medical record review including medications your child is taking, recent illnesses, and hospitalizations
• Observe behaviors, mannerisms, cognitive abilities, emotional and physical delays, and other factors
• Provide questionnaires, checklists, and surveys to gather important developmental information
• Interview you and members of your household, your child’s teachers, and others close to your child

If your child has OCD, our provider may recommend exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy involving gradually exposing your child to things your child is fearful of, to combat phobias that are causing the intrusive thoughts. Your developmental pediatrician may also recommend medications, and individual and family therapy.

Want To Know More About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

To find out more about obsessive-compulsive disorder and when your child should visit a developmental pediatrician and psychiatric nurse practitioner, call Dr. Alison Smoller, and nurse practitioners Melanie Denardo and Morgan Sabins, at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, in Ocean, NJ, serving residents of Ocean, and Monmouth County, NJ areas. You can reach them in the office by calling (732) 660-0220, so call today.