Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children is neither uncommon nor well understood. Even some medical professionals think OCD is about rigorous hand-scrubbing or similar ritualized behaviors.
It is often much stealthier — especially in kids who also have ADHD.OCD is relatively more common in youth with ADHD. The disorders affect the same part of the brain and have many overlapping symptoms, including problems with attention, planning, task switching, and impulsivity.
For this reason, OCD is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD or missed altogether when ADHD is present.A missed OCD diagnosis is problematic because the condition informs the medication your child is prescribed, the treatment you pursue, and the therapist you choose.
It influences the way you respond to your child’s behavioral challenges and the school accommodations you request.We’ve all heard “I’m so OCD” from someone who is extremely neat and organized, but this stereotype does not generally reflect the reality of the OCD experience.