OCD Consultations for Children in Marietta, GA

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, commonly abbreviated as OCD, is a chronic anxiety disorder that causes an individual to experience an irresistible urge to do something over and over again.

OCD is more than a routine or a habit as it will often disrupt a person’s daily functions since they are unable to continue with their day before tending to their obsessions. Any sort of variance from these compulsive behaviors will cause an intense amount of stress on the individual, even if they logically understand that ignoring their urges will not be harmful to them in any physical sense.

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of OCD, call our pediatrician’s office in Marietta, GA today at (770) 425-5331 or request an appointment online.

What Is an Obsession?

An obsession can describe a repeated thought, impulse, or mental image that brings on a sudden fear or emotional distress. Common types of obsessions in those with OCD include a need to be clean or free of contamination, a need to have items perfectly balanced and aligned, or to have unwanted thoughts of restricted topics such as sex.

What Is a Compulsion?

With OCD, a compulsion is the repetitive behavior that a person feels driven to perform in response to their obsession. For example, if an individual is obsessed with contamination, their compulsion would typically involve thoroughly washing their hands or a common surface many times a day.

As a person tries to resist their compulsions, their anxiety can build up to a boiling point where it feels as though they may actually die if they do not give in to their obsessions. Submitting to the compulsion may bring a moment of relief, but this is often immediately followed by feelings of shame and guilt for being unable to resist the repetitive behaviors once again, causing a vicious and unending cycle for the individual.

OCD Treatment Options Available in Marietta, GA

It is common practice to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder with a combination of medications and therapy. It may be necessary to try a few different medications in order to identify which one(s) work best for you. If your child’s provider determines that they would benefit from more specialized care, we will assist in finding the right practitioner for your child.

There are also a few different methodologies regarding therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Much of this will revolve around helping the patient develop proper coping skills when they encounter an obsession and feel the urge to respond with their compulsion. Both cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) have proven highly effective in dealing with the symptoms of OCD.

Schedule a Consultation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Marietta, GA

If you are concerned about your child’s behavior and would like to schedule an OCD evaluation with our pediatric specialists located in Marietta, Georgia, please call (770) 425-5331 to schedule a consultation! Our dedicated pediatricians at Cobb Pediatrics will help you and your family craft a personalized plan to support the management of your child’s obsessive-compulsive behaviors.