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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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DS displaying OCD type behaviors
DS is 4 1/2 and has been obsessing about washing his hands lately. He says they are sticky or dirty. Yesterday at dinner he got up like 4 times to rinse his hands. His little hands are getting dried out and when i put lotion on him, he freaks out that it feels disgusting and sticky I'm hoping it is a phase because it came out of the blue (in fact he used to hate washing his hands!) Has anyone dealt with something like this and/or have any advice?
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Posted 1/6/13 11:51 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!

Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name: Leslie
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
I wouldnt jump to assume this is an OCD thing so quickly. Perhaps its an issue of tactile defensiveness. Some kids cannot tolerate certain sensations or textures on their skin. Id think if it was true OCD, the behaviors would be much more disruptive than handwashing.
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Posted 1/6/13 12:51 PM |
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petvet
LIF Adult

Member since 5/08 1238 total posts
Name: Meredith
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
I also hate/can't stand any type of lotion/powders etc on my hands drives me nuts!..no OCD here :) Maybe just a phase?
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Posted 1/6/13 1:29 PM |
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
A family member's daughter started doing this. She figured out that she liked the smell of the handsoap she had in the bathroom(cookie flavored).
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Posted 1/6/13 1:48 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Posted by petvet
I also hate/can't stand any type of lotion/powders etc on my hands drives me nuts!..no OCD here :) Maybe just a phase?
This is what I'm hoping but he just seems very fixated on his hands. he keeps rubbing them together and will not touch his food with his hands-at all! He has never done this before that's why I'm concerned. He has always been a kid who loves routine, repetition, etc. but not to these extremes.
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Posted 1/6/13 1:49 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Posted by Goldi0218
I wouldnt jump to assume this is an OCD thing so quickly. Perhaps its an issue of tactile defensiveness. Some kids cannot tolerate certain sensations or textures on their skin. Id think if it was true OCD, the behaviors would be much more disruptive than handwashing.
Thanks, he doesn't seem to have any other issues with textures and I'm hoping you are right, that it is not actually OCD but I was just concerned that it came out of nowhere and that he seems so fixated on it. Not only washing, but rubbing them together, refusing to touch his food, and then just before I saw him put his sleeve over his hand so he wouldn't have to touch the door knob.
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Posted 1/6/13 1:52 PM |
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DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Is he in pre school or pre-k? I ask because I noticed something similar with my son. It occurred suddenly and he's very conscious of germs and handwashing, particularly around meals or after the potty.
I think it's because they probably stress it in school. Especially at winter time... Like I can see a teacher kindly warning them to wash up so they don't get sick, you know?
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Posted 1/6/13 2:41 PM |
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DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Kids go through so many different phases, yes, but I always say to go with your mommy instincts and only u know your child best. My DD had an issue that even her pediatrician said it was nothing and guess what..even he was wrong. I went with my gut and i was right and ultimately helped my daughter. I hope for your sake its nothing and its just a phase (Im sure it is) but it cant hurt to keep an eye on it and follow up if needed. The worst thing that can happen is you are wrong and its just a phase. GL!
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Posted 1/6/13 2:43 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
Is he in pre school or pre-k? I ask because I noticed something similar with my son. It occurred suddenly and he's very conscious of germs and handwashing, particularly around meals or after the potty.
I think it's because they probably stress it in school. Especially at winter time... Like I can see a teacher kindly warning them to wash up so they don't get sick, you know?
Yes, he does go to pre k. He says they use a baby wipe on their hands before snack. The idea of germs, etc. may have started there.
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Posted 1/6/13 2:58 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Posted by 2boys1girl4me
Kids go through so many different phases, yes, but I always say to go with your mommy instincts and only u know your child best. My DD had an issue that even her pediatrician said it was nothing and guess what..even he was wrong. I went with my gut and i was right and ultimately helped my daughter. I hope for your sake its nothing and its just a phase (Im sure it is) but it cant hurt to keep an eye on it and follow up if needed. The worst thing that can happen is you are wrong and its just a phase. GL!
Thanks very much, yes, I'll def keep an eye on it and talk to my ped if it gets worse. I agree that kids def go through phases so I'm definitely hoping for that!
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Posted 1/6/13 3:00 PM |
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iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M

Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name: D
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Does he go to school? Maybe they have been discussing germs and hand washing. He must have learned how to use his Sleeve to open the door knob from somewhere. That is my sister's technique for opening the doors in public restrooms .
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Posted 1/6/13 3:45 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: DS displaying OCD type behaviors
Just wondering wwyd ? How would you handle it with ds? I don't want to stress him out about it or tell him he can't because I feel it will make it worse but in the same regard I want him to understand he is being irrational.
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Posted 1/6/13 7:37 PM |
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