ADHD & OCD in Children
- Symptoms of ADHD include having trouble paying attention, disorganization, trouble concentrating and poor social skills. The child may constantly interrupt, invade someone's personal space and make irrelevant comments.
- Symptoms of OCD are obsessive thoughts and/or behaviors and the person is usually aware that the thoughts and behaviors are irrational. However, they're unable to stop these behaviors.
- Both disorders can have similar causes such as genetic predisposition, prenatal issues, and exposure to environmental toxins.
- Sometimes OCD can be confused with ADHD, because with both conditions there is an inability to move from task to task and remain focused. However, the reasons are quite different.
- When a child is suffering from both disorders, she can become self-conscious, anxious or depressed. Therapy and medication can be utilized to help. Someone who believes that his child suffers from one or both of these disorders should seek the help of a licensed mental health professional.