OCD: An Overlooked Teen Anxiety Disorder
If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms: obsessive thoughts, repetitive
behaviors, frequent mood swings, extreme shyness or isolating behaviors or depression, your child may be suffering
from one of many teen anxiety disorders.
Teen anxiety disorders are one of the biggest psychological problems affecting our youth today. If
you are unfamiliar with teen anxiety disorders, maybe anti-social behaviors and or anorexia ring a bell. Many
of these psychological behaviors have the same root cause, an anxiety disorder. And although a chemical
imbalance of the brain is partly to blame in many cases, the outside influences of the world we live in play even a
greater role. This article will seek to highlight some of the most common teen anxiety disorders and
behaviors, including, perhaps the most overlooked one of them all, obsessive compulsive disorder.
If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms: obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, frequent
mood swings, extreme shyness or isolating behaviors or depression, your child may be suffering from one of many
teen anxiety disorders. While some of these behaviors are identifiable rather easily, many of the physical
symptoms associated with such disorders are not so visible, unless you are very much in tune with your child.
These symptoms may include difficulties breathing, frequent headaches, nausea, dizziness, problems sleeping,
elevated heart and pulse rate and on and off again eating patterns.
If you can relate to any of these symptoms, you may agree that nowadays it seems that there are more kids on
anti-depressants than are not. And even though depression and ADHD behaviors are the most common reason for
prescribing drugs for our kids these days, there are certainly others plaguing our kids and teen today.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is one of the more common anxiety disorders among teens.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In Children
This is probably because many OCD sufferers appear to be in their own world most of the time or are seen demonstrating irrational behaviors out in public. OCD sufferers have the busiest minds in the world, and to them no matter what they do their mind won't slow down.
I once heard the saying that OCD murders the mind. That is very alarming. Sufferers with OCD tell stories of how torturous the repetitive, compulsive thoughts are.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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However, it is often overlooked or blanketed into a more common category such as manic depressive or anti-social
disorders. In fact, did you know that bulimia and anorexia are often associated with OCD because it normally
starts as obsessive thoughts geared toward being thin and good looking? OCD can be a very debilitating
disorder. Not only is the person bombarded by troublesome thoughts all of the time, but it can lead to
serious behavioral problems such as cutting, eating disorders and the like. For example, kids may become
obsessed with thoughts of becoming popular or staying thin. Although it is common for kids to go through
generalized thoughts such as these, when the thoughts consume who they are, the issue is a deeper one and should be
addressed. Parents can never be too careful when monitoring their children's behavioral patterns. If
you see the warning signs, seek help from a professional.
So, how can you treat anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder? Believe it or not, you have
many options both conventional and holistic in nature. Some of the most common forms of treatment include
cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, reflexology, biofeedback therapy, herbal medicine and of
course prescription drugs. The process of finding a therapy that works for you or your teen is normally
through trial and error process. Some people respond better to conventional treatment than others, and vice
versa. There is however, no substitute for knowledge to make educated decisions.
Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
09/02/2010
Calendar
Here is the calendar for Sept. 3-4
Calendar
09/01/2010
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
Ryan goes home! Were you ready to see him leave?
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
09/01/2010
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
Ryan goes home! Were you ready to see him leave?
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
09/02/2010
Health Calendar
Fitness
Health Calendar
09/01/2010
Community Calendar – 8/25
Acton Fair, Thursday, Aug. 26-Sunday, Aug. 29, Acton Fairgrounds, Route 109. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight every night. Exhibition Buildings open at 9 a.m.-10 pm Thursday to Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m.-5 pm.
Community Calendar – 8/25
08/29/2010
Compulsive Hoarding: When It Goes Beyond Clutter
In the United States, compulsive hoarding affects between 2 million and 8 million people.
Compulsive Hoarding: When It Goes Beyond Clutter
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Calendar
Here is the calendar for Sept. 3-4
Calendar
09/01/2010
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
Ryan goes home! Were you ready to see him leave?
MTV's 'Real World: New Orleans' episode 10 review
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