Do you think my child has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)?

Some of it is her age some of it like the shoe and sock thing could be. People with this have to have things a certain way and usually have a routine as you say she does. I did these things when I was little. My mother said I would not leave the house if ever thing was not perfect. She did not dare interrupt my routine. As I got older I became obsessive with my room and began to count and became obsessive with hygiene.. Now I still do these things and many more like checking my locks over and over at night. I count in even numbers now. I can't take it if it is odd. And many more. She is so young I don't think they can diagnose her yet but I would keep a eye on it. Look for patterns.

I honestly don't know enough about OCD to give a considered opinion on this-for example,is there an age criteria before OCD can be diagnosed? Is it recognised as a problem in 3yo's? The little girl does sound very fussy about how She does things,and wants things...maybe there's degrees of compulsive behaviour? Good luck with a diagnosis and treatment!

That sounds exactly like me from ages 4-6, and yes, it sounds like OCD. I can specifically remember times when nothing felt like it fit correctly and if my socks weren't the same exact length/alignment, I felt the world would literally end. I am OCD and the "tics" and weirdness haven't gone away, but they change every few years. I would ask her doctor or a counselor, though.

Hi Kiran wish Icould help you on this one-my grandson he's 4 is fussy not so much with clothes but his shoes yes and also his food and is very much like your daughter but my son is as fussy and he is 26 so really don't know what to say-I hope things get btter it can't be easy for you with three children...hugs littleowl

I don't know that much about OCD. But I think a lot of it might just be normal behavior as children that age want to test everything out. She may have a bit of perfectionist personality also. I think it is normal for little girls to want to change clothes often, but I don't think they have to be allowed to do it. My daughter always wanted to change clothes later on in the day...but that didn't last long because I wouldn't let her do it. One outfit a day is enough and I didn't want to spend all my time doing laundry because of all the clothes she could have gone through. Think about it...look at teenage girls today. Aren't they changing clothes all the time? Maybe she is just a little "clothes horse". The food issue, I am one who believes in the child eating what is served or not eating at all. I never made substitutes with my kids. They won't starve. They will eat. It is too easy these days with all the fears of being accused of abuse for parents to discipline their children. But setting rules and boundaries is not abuse and it is good for the kids. I am not saying you are not doing this. All I am saying is that the things she is doing seem fairly normal to me and she is testing your limits to see how much she can get away with. It is very normal for a 3 year old to say they don't like a food that they have always eaten before. You know better, but they think you will believe them and let them have their way. The more you give in, the more she will do this with you, both in eating and in dressing. If she crys or screams, let her. You can't let her temper tantrums rule you. If you do, she becomes the boss and controls the household. She may be looking for boundaries. When her favorite clothes are in the laundry, show her, and maybe even let her help you with laundry so that she has more understanding. Give her choices for dressing but limit them to two....either/or. Take it or leave it. And don't give in. The more you give in, the harder it will be to control her as she gets older and her wants are more dangerous. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to ask your doctor as well. Just don't let the doctor be one of those who is in a hurry to diagnose something that really isn't there.

I actually saw something like this on tv before I became a mum myself. The problem was solved very quickly by taking away the element of choice from the child. For example, you are saying that your daughter changes often during the day. Perhaps you could just choose the clothes for the day for her, and that is that. Don't let her change. Also, when she said she didn't like rice and wanted pasta, you made the pasta. Again, perhaps you could let her know quite firmly that it is rice and chicken for dinner, or nothing. My daughter is four years old, and I have applied those remembered techniques when coming up against very similiar problems to you, and they appear to have worked. I know you are trying to be a wonderful parent, and it feels a bit harsh at first to be strict. However, I remember on the tv show they said that at that age, the child is trying to grow up too fast. Apparently even a tiny choice is a major decision for a child, and she goes through a major dilemma that maybe she has made the wrong choice. It could be why your daughter is suddenly changing her mind all the time. By taking away the option to choose, you are actually helping the child. Let her make small choices first, like which colour to draw with. I really hope this helps. I DO understand how stressful it can be. Good luck!

Well she does have the symptoms of being an OCD but I think she is too young to be diagnosed. But maybe a child psychologist could best diagnosed if she has that behavioral problem. What I encountered with my son when he was 3 was somewhat similar to that being too choosy in the foods that he wants to eat but we were able to break that one when we really showed that he should eat different variety of foods and not follow his fave foods only. In time, he was able to break that habit. Every time he was able to eat this certain kind of food we always compliment him that he is doing good in eating that food. We always explain the value of the food to him if he eats that. That works sometimes with him. With regards to choosing his dress we always compliment that he looks good in every dress that he wears so that his mind will be conditioned to wearing that dress confidently. And as much as possible we don't used same dress in one whole weekend. If he looks for that certain kind of dress we just tell him that his dress is still in the laundry bin and is still dirty. I guess every child has its own sets of attachments when they are growing.

It sounds like you have spoiled her and let her do these things and now she expects them. At night, let her pick out what she wants to wear the next day. It is not uncommon for kids to want to wear the same thing everyday. So just make sure it is clean. At night, pick out 3 appropriate outfits, and all of the accessories and let he pick which one she want to wear. Tell her that her choice is final. Comes morning she can not change her mind. If she throws a tantrum let her. But don't give in. Some kids are fussy about their socks. They don't like seams on the toes etc. Try to figure out which ones she likes and then by then. Give her a voice in what kind of clothing you buy for her, but within reason. As for food, is she does not like her dinner give her a choice of PB& J or her dinner, do not cook her anything else. If not she can go hungry for awhile. It won't kill her. Just make sure that one of the choices is available later. Tell her she can change her clothes once before dinner and that is it too. Put your foot down.

After going through your entire discussion, I would still say that some children behave like it, it comes under nomral category. I feel, it should not be rated as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I think, a child is wise enough to judge whether her demands are going to be fulfilled or not or if at all her demands are going to be fulfilled, how soon it will be fulfilled. The moment a child comes to know that her demands would definitely be fulfilled later or sooner, she will surely make fuss about it. If we tell a child that her demands are NOT going to be fulfilled, she may get upset for few hours and after that she may come to terms. In your case, once you do not go according to her demands, let her feel agitated, for few hours and then see the result. Does it help. If you are going to fulfill all demands of your kid, she would 'blackmail' you time and again.

Having raised two children and having worked with children in that age group for over ten years, I am going to say that this is somewhat normal for a three year old. She is caught between being a baby and a child. This period of a child's life can be very stressful. She is conflicted about lots of things that are sending her into a power struggle between herself and you. In order to determine though if she is truly OCD, the behavior she exhibits outside of the home will be must telltale. If she is enrolled in nursery school, and her behavior carries over there, the teachers can advise you and let you know if they believe that she needs to be tested. So how should you handle this? Allow her to have as much freedom as possible when making choices, even if they aren't the choices you would make. Let her wear whatever clothing and underwear suits her. When my own daughter was that age, I would choose two outfits for her and allow her to choose one to wear. If neither suited her, I would leave the room after telling her that she could pick her own outfit. Usually she chose her own, but only after I left the room. The same goes for food. Give her a few choices and allow her to pick one. If she doesn't eat at that moment, she may not be really hungry and she'll eat later. My point is that she is going through a push me/pull me stage. She will outgrow it eventually. Just be patient with her.

It does sound a bit strange that she has so many tendencies developing, I mean mine has her little ways of doing things in a certain way but not to that extent. Is there anyone you could have a word with about it, like a health visitor or someone and maybe if it is OCD then they can help do something about it before it goes any further.

Have you talked to her doctor? He or she might be able to refer you to a child psychologist who's able to give you a better idea of whether she's got OCD or whether she's behaving 'normally'. The child psychologist would also be able give you ways to work with your daughter's behaviors.

Hi Kiran, That sounds destressing, is she streese about something or she could have picked it up from someone and copying them? I should see the doctor about it but saying that I remember my neice was doing simliar thing she say he had tummy ache and didn't have it and yes she did the thing about her undies she used to scream blue murder and my sister just didn't know what to do we even thought it could be attention seeking. She grew out of eventually, but I should take her to doctor to put your mind at rest.Hope it all goes well andd your daughter will be ok. All my love Blessings Tamara

i don't have experience enough because i haven't had a kid. but i ever see some kids of my colleague. The kids who behave better are those who contact more people. So i believe you give your kid more chance to contact others, she will be more active other than pay attention to herself.

I believe that your daughter might have the early signs of OCD, but you might want to take her to a therapist just to be on the safe side. OCD starts out just like that. Everything has to be perfect or else the person is never happy. I had a small form of this as well, and it varies from person to person. I have to have things a certain way as well or else I feel like I am losing control. It can be annoying and it can really take a toll on a person's life. Hell, it can ruin their life. Again, get her to a child psychologist who can diagnose her.

hi kiran I really think that shes just being three years old and wants things exactly so. my son did the same thing at age three he had to have his food on his plate just so, his clothes had to be just so, and he complained about his shorts. I dont think that ocd starts that young. I do know from friends that their little girls around that age would change clothes a dozen times if you would let them, so you have to be mama and be strict, pick one of two and thats it. also relax as if your are upset she will pick that up at onceShe is learning now that she has choices and I think sometimes kids are overwhelmed with the whole idea of choices and dont really know which one they wanted. they do not yet think like us adults.if you are really worried check her out with her doctor for your peace of mind. good Luck God Blessby the way myson is a perfectionist, that was always his personality and he works now as a computer programer.

good day..It rather look to me that she's a spoiled brat than having OCB. Try not giving into her, I mean if you gave in to her every whim because she's using her crying to get it, you're spoiling her. Try that first for a few weeks. hope this help.

I have not really heard of OCD occurring in a three-year-old, which means that I cannot say that it is not possible, either. I am kind of stuck as far as providing explanation for her behavior, mostly because I am not sure what it is like in your house, or what she is being influenced by. Obsessions are thought based, and compulsions are action-based. But, why a three-year-old would be getting these is beyond me. I want to say that she doesn't have it, that there is some other cause, such as the fact that she is entering a new stage of life. But, I do think that you should schedule an appointment with her doctor, and ask if s/he believes you need to seek the help of a Psychologist. Best of luck.

I don't know a lot about this, but what you are describing sounds like it could be a sensory issue. You might want to research Sensory Defensiveness in addition to OCD. Having issues with the way clothes feel and foods taste is classic with a sensory disorder. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I don't know a lot about this, but I am questioning my own 6 year old as possibly having OCD. A friend of mine is an occupational Therapist. And from talking to her I think you might also want to look into Sensory Defensiveness. Children with sensory issues classically have problems with the way clothes feel, and foods taste. Hope this helps. Good luck!