of the common compulsions include cleaning, washing, touching, counting/repeating, arranging/organizing, checking/ questioning, and hoarding. (OCD Resource Center 2000.) The onset of symptoms related to OCD can occur as early as three or four years of age, but some children may not express them or parents may not recognize them. If the symptoms are not recognized OCD could have a great affect on children’s schoolwork and the child’s family. Unlike adults, children tend to involve their families in their obsessions or compulsivity. When ever possible the child’s teacher should be aware of the condition. Teachers are sometimes very helpful in supporting a child’s treatment There is a wide range of treatments for OCD, but two of the most common are behavioral therapy and medication. Studies done by the National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH) show these to be the most effective treatments. Some of the common medications that are prescribed are clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine maleate, sertraline, and paroxetine. The medication that has had the greatest effect on the symptoms of OCD is fluvoxamine maleate. People who have OCD tend to have low levels of seratonin. Fluvoxamine maleate is a reuptake inhibitor that helps in the reuptake of the substance seratonin. This reduces the symptoms of OCD and has been found to be safe and effective in adults and children. (OCD Resource Center.) A type of behavior therapy called “exposure and response prevention” has been quite effective in treating OCD. In this approach the patient is deliberately and voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts, and is then taught by the therapist techniques to keep from performing the compulsive rituals and to deal with the anxiety. Studies have shown that with the use of medication and behavioral therapy, the symptoms from OCD are greatly reduced. (NIMH 2000.) OCD is like any other illne...
