Obsessive movements in a child are quite common. It is difficult not to notice them, since they are a constant repetition of uniform movements over a long period of time. For example, parents may begin to worry about why a child bites his nails, sways, shakes his head, and so on.
Let's try to understand in more detail such a concept as "obsessive movement syndrome". In addition, we consider the symptoms, causes, methods of treatment and prevention of the disorder.
Why does the obsessive movement syndrome appear
Who is most affected by this type of disorder? What is the reason for obsessive movements?
Most often they suffer from children who are very often in stressful situations, brought up in dysfunctional families, or babies after traumatic brain injuries. But there are also cases when the child’s obsessive movements appear for no apparent reason (for parents and others). In any case, it is important to identify the factor that contributes to the development of the disorder, and eliminate it in time so as not to aggravate the situation even more.
Symptoms of obsessive movements
There are many options for the manifestation of this type of disorder. Caring parents should be alert for situations when their child is very often:
- snaps fingers or sucks them;
- gnaws nails;
- shakes his head or sways his whole body;
- often sniffs (not including a runny nose);
- makes a wave of his hands or swings his leg;
- pinching skin on hands or other parts of the body;
- often blinks;
- often turns the neck or tilts it on one side;
- twists hair on a finger.
At the same time, it is important to repeat that one can talk about the existence of a problem not with a single execution of the above actions, but with their regular repetition.
What obsessive movements can be combined with
In young children, the symptoms of the disorder in most cases manifest themselves. A constant repetition of any one or several symptoms can be observed.
As for school-age children, their compulsive movements may be accompanied by enuresis, stuttering, or neurotic insomnia. This is especially true of the neurosis of expectation, which manifests itself as a result of the fear of making a mistake (for example, when answering near the board and so on). At the same time, the obsessive movements in the child can be accompanied by a tick in the form of coughing, sniffing, blinking, snorting. Their intensification is usually observed during excitement, fear, anxiety, anxiety.
Are obsessive movements in the child the norm?
What do doctors say about this, including the well-known doctor Komarovsky? Obsessive movements do not always indicate the presence of mental problems. In cases of mild severity, they may soon disappear on their own. It is important to remember that often such actions are the next step in cognition of the world and growing up.
But if the child for a long time clicks his fingers, bites his nails, shakes his head, or other symptoms of the problem are observed, you should contact your local pediatrician for a special diagnosis and, possibly, the appointment of the necessary type of treatment.
Diagnosis of the disorder
We must not forget that the obsessive movements in children are not a separate disease, but may indicate the presence of more serious problems. And only with the help of special diagnostics can pathologies be eliminated or detected. For example, the cause of constantly repeating movements may be the presence of such diseases:
- Tourette's syndrome.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Trichotillomania.
At the same time, they can manifest themselves at absolutely any age, both in completely healthy children, and in those who are characterized by a slower rate of development of intelligence.
Therapy for compulsive neurosis
How to get rid of such a problem as obsessive movements in children? Treatment involves different types of therapy, depending on the severity and severity of the symptoms of the disorder.
If in some cases, medication is not required, then in others, drugs are used. The most effective combination of psychotherapeutic sessions in a child psychologist and drug therapy. At the same time, parents should understand that for the successful recovery of the child they will also have to make some efforts.
First of all, it is worth revising your methods of education. The use of screams and assault in relation to the child is unacceptable. Glance and voice should always be calm and friendly.
In addition to this, the baby must be accustomed to independence, accuracy and cleanliness, and from a very early age. It will be useful to conduct tempering, communication with peers, joint reading and so on. It is important not to overdo it and not to allow both physical and mental overwork.
It is advisable to dance with your child at least a few minutes every day. You need to pick up funny and rhythmic songs that the kid himself will like first of all.
Drug treatment
Once the true reason why the child bites his nails or makes other obsessive movements has been identified, the pediatrician can decide on the need for medical treatment.
Most often prescribed such drugs:
- "Asparkam".
- "Glycine".
- Cinnarizine.
- Pantogam.
- Persen.
- Milgamma.
We must not forget that such drugs can only be used as prescribed by a doctor, as they affect the central nervous system. They are used only in extreme cases, when there are serious deviations or the disease is in a very advanced stage.
Treatment with traditional medicine
Folk remedies for getting rid of the disorder can be used in combination with the main therapy. Some of them help to entertain the child and distract from the problem, while others help to calm his nervous system.
Consider several possible options:
- Soothing baths. During daily water procedures, you can use herbs such as string, chamomile, lavender, mint. They calm the nervous system and relieve tension.
- Water with honey. It would seem that such a simple tool, but it has a great effect. To prepare it, you need to dilute a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm (by no means hot!) Water and give the child a drink immediately before bedtime.
- A decoction of oat grains. To prepare it, it is necessary to rinse oat grains and cook them until half cooked over low heat in a liter of water. After this, strain the resulting broth and add one spoon of honey to it. Giving his child a glass once a day.
Disorder Prevention
It is in the power of each of the parents to prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of the child having obsessive movements or any other mental deviations and neuroses.
First of all, methods of prevention consist in a sufficient amount of communication with the baby. It is important to devote at least some time every day to talk with the child (regardless of his age, even with the baby), read fairy tales to him, find joint entertainments (drawing, modeling, dancing, active games and so on). This will help to establish a trusting contact and make the child more relaxed.
The next stage is a protection from stressful situations. Of course, it is impossible to foresee everything, but it is in the parents' strength to do everything possible so that the child is as prepared for them as possible. For this, you can, for example, play scenes with various unforeseen situations, so that in case of their occurrence the baby does not get confused or afraid, but knows how to act.
It is necessary to establish a daily routine and adhere to it clearly. In addition, it is important to accustom the child to independence and responsibility.
Another important point, which was already mentioned above: in no case can not be allowed mental and physical overwork, as they do not have the best effect on mental balance. For healthy children, you can also use the methods that were described in the section "Treatment with traditional medicine" - soothing baths with herbs and sea salt, water with honey at night and so on.
The main thing that absolutely all parents need to remember: the child’s health (including psychological) is completely in their hands.