5 year old with possible OCD?

My daughter who is 5 i think my have early signs of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). She will repeat things with a question. For example, "mommy can you get me a drink?" I'll say yes and she'll keep asking 3 or 4 more times. When going up stairs if she doesn't start on her left foot, she'll start all over again. She almost always flips the light switch on in the bathroom twice. She repeats everything you say and she says.

I'm hoping it's just a phase and she's doing it for attention (which she get plenty of). What are your thoughts?

Answer:
For a behavioral disorder to be considered, the symptoms must have been ongoing for at least 6 months. If you're daughter meets this criteria, you have two choices. You can have her screened (there IS no "test") by a child psychologist or you can regard it as phase and stop giving her attention. Ignore this when it occurs. Completely and absolutely. Repetitions and rituals (the sort of thing you've described) are a common occurrence in childhood and most don't have anything to do with OCD. They pass and without any outside assistance. If you can take it for a few more months, try it. If this behavior hasn't been going on for 6 months, this will allow for that although it may resolve on its own.

Another responder mentioned echolalia, one symptom of autism. Echolalia, both immediate and delayed, is when a person repeats what has been said to THEM or what they have heard - a line in a movie or on TV, for example. Your daughter is not doing this. She isn't repeating what she's heard. Disregard this answer.
it does sound like early OCD, but im no doctor. Maybe she thinks she has to do things twice, or ask you a question more then once. Tell her you understood her the first time and see if she keeps doing it. tell her its okay to go up the stairs starting on her right foot, and show her you do it too. Your safest bet would be to address this to her pediatrician. Good Luck!
See a doctor. I was ADD when I was little. It could be a phase, but you need to get tested.
Echolalia I think is the spelling. Whatever the cause, go see a doctor right now and start supportive action for your daughter (and for yourself as you will see).
my thoughts are yes it could be..i actually have myself and it was brought on by high levels of stress..she could be going through some trauma at school or playgroup..or she is just like you said going through a stage that she will grow out of..worth looking into

The medicine and health information post by website user , ByeDR.com not guarantee correctness , is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.


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