Posted by Racer on May 4, 2006, at 1:33:27
In reply to Re: How early can OCD start?, posted by fairywings on May 3, 2006, at 23:53:54
Kids go through a lot of stages, including stages where we look at them and say "mental illness?" But it's usually not. At three, he's looking for safety, as he moves into more independence. All that you've described sounds to me as though he's got some reason for these restrictions, some having to do with autonomy, and some maybe having a basis that's real, just not apparent. (You say you can't tell the difference between his pillow and another? But maybe the other pillow has a hard spot? Or smells funny? Or the filling tickles him? If he knows the difference, then he knows the difference, even if you aren't aware of any difference. When you're little, things seem bigger, so a little tiny difference in that pillow could easily seem HUMONGOUS to him.
Of course, that doesn't mean that he won't have OCD when he grows up. But you can cross that bridge IF you get to it. Sufficient unto the day and all that, right?
If you're really worried that this is OCD, talk to your pediatrician. But I think he's probably just fine.
(I keep thinking back to the crazy things I did as a child -- I had left and right socks, for example, and they were NOT interchangeable -- but then I realize, I am obsessive, and compulsive, although I don't have OCD per se... Guess it's not comforting to use me as an example...)
poster:Racer
thread:639428
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060429/msgs/639846.html