Obsessive movements in the child: causes, treatment

Obsessive movements in the child are quite common. They are difficult not to notice, because they represent a constant repetition of monotonous movements over a long period of time. For example, parents can begin to worry about the question of why a child gnaws nails, swings, shakes his head and so on.

We will try in more detail to understand with such concept, as "a syndrome of persuasive movements". In addition, we will consider the symptoms, causes, methods of treatment and prevention of the disorder.

Why there is a syndrome of compulsive movements

Who is most prone to this type of disorder? What is the cause of obsessive movements?

Most often they suffer from children who are very often in stressful situations, are brought up in dysfunctional families, or children after suffering craniocerebral injuries. But there are also cases when obsessive movements in a child appear without apparent (for parents and others) reasons. In either 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 compulsive movements

There are many options for manifesting this type of disorder. Careful parents should alert the situation when their child is very often:

• Snaps his fingers or sucks them;
• Gnawing at the nails;
• Shakes his head or swings his whole body;
• Often sniffs (not including the presence of a cold);
• Makes a sweep with his hands or shakes his foot;
• Nips the skin on the hands or other parts of the body;
• Often blinks;
• Often turns his neck or tilts her on one side;
• Twists her hair.

It is important to repeat that it is possible to speak about the presence of a problem not in the case of a single execution of the above-described actions, but with their regular repetition.

With which can be combined obsessive movements

In young children, the symptoms of the disorder manifest themselves most of the time. There can be a constant repetition of any one or several features at once.

As for children of school age, their obsessive movements can be accompanied by enuresis, stammering or neurotic insomnia. In particular, this concerns the neurosis of expectation, which manifests itself as a result of fear of making a mistake (for example, when answering near a board, and so on). At the same time, compulsive movements in a child can be accompanied by a tick in the form of coughing, sniffing, blinking, snorting. Their amplification is usually observed during excitement, fear, anxiety.

Are the compulsive movements in the child the norm?

What do doctors say about this, including the well-known Dr. Komarovsky? Obsessive movements do not always indicate the presence of problems with the psyche. In cases of mild severity, they may soon disappear on their own. It is important to remember that often such actions are the next stage in the knowledge of the world and growing up.

But if the child has already snapped his fingers for a long time, gnaws at the fingernails, shakes his head or observed other symptoms of the problem, it is better to contact the district pediatrician for special diagnosis and, possibly, the appointment of the necessary type of treatment.

Diagnosis of the disorder

We must not forget that 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 it is possible to exclude or reveal the presence of pathologies. For example, the cause of recurring movements may be the presence of such diseases:

1. Tourette's syndrome.
2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
3. Trichotillomania.

At the same time, they can manifest themselves absolutely at any age, both in fully healthy children and in those who are characterized by slower rates of development of intelligence.

Therapy in the neurosis of compulsive movements

How to get rid of such problems as obsessive movements in children? Treatment provides for different types of therapy, depending on the degree of manifestation and severity of the symptoms of the disorder.

If in some cases, medication is not required, then in others, medicines are used. The most effective combination of psychotherapeutic sessions in a child psychologist and drug therapy. At the same time, parents should understand that they will also have to make some efforts for the successful recovery of the child.

First of all, it is worth revising your methods of upbringing. It is unacceptable to use shouting and physical abuse against the child. A look and a voice should always be calm and benevolent.

In addition, the baby should be taught to be independent, accurate and clean, and from the very early age. It will not be superfluous to carry out hardening, communication with peers, joint reading and so on. It is important not to overdo it and prevent both physical and mental fatigue.

It is desirable to dance every day for at least a few minutes with the child. We need to pick up funny and rhythmic songs, which will appeal first of all to the kid.

Medication

After it was revealed the true reason why a child gnaws nails or commits other obsessive movements, the pediatrician can decide on the need for medication.

Most often, these drugs are prescribed:

• "Asparks".
• "Glycine".
• "Cinnarizine."
• Pantogam.
• "Persen".
• "Milgamma."

We must not forget that such remedies can only be used for the doctor's prescription, since 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 neglected stage.

Treatment with traditional medicine

Folk remedies for the disorder can be used in conjunction 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.

Let's consider several possible options:

1. Soothing baths. During daily water procedures, you can use herbs such as turn, chamomile, lavender, mint. They calm the nervous system and relieve tension.
2. Water with honey. It would seem that such a simple tool, but it has an excellent effect. To make it, you need to dilute the teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm (by no means hot!) Water and give the child a drink directly before bedtime.
3. Decoction of oatmeal. For its preparation, it is necessary to rinse the oatmeal and cook them until half cooked on low heat in a liter of water. After this, drain the resulting broth and add to it one spoonful of honey. Give him a child needs a glass once a day.

Prevention of the appearance of a disorder

In the power of each of the parents - to prevent or at least reduce the probability of the appearance of the child obsessive movements or any other mental abnormalities and neuroses.

First of all, the methods of prevention consist in a sufficient amount of communication with the baby. It is important to allocate at least some time each day to talk with the child (regardless of his age, even with the baby), read to him the tales, find joint entertainment (drawing, modeling, dancing, active games and so on). This will help establish a trust and make the child more relaxed.

The next step is to guard against stressful situations. Of course, everything can not be envisaged, but in the power of the parents - to do everything possible to ensure that the child is maximally prepared for them. To do this, you can, for example, play scenes with different unforeseen situations, so that in case of their occurrence the kid is not lost and frightened, but knows how to act properly.

It is necessary to set the daily routine and adhere to it clearly. In addition, it is important to accustom a child to independence and responsibility.

Another important point, which has already been recalled above: in no case should one tolerate mental and physical fatigue, 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 for the night and so on.

The main thing that must be remembered absolutely for all parents: the health of the child (including psychological) is completely in their hands.