Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Hi , I do know that separation anxiety can occur apart from OCD and that there are developmentally appropriate stages that this can happen. You might talk to the ped and ask about this in a three-year-old. Also plain old fears about plumbing, going down the drain or toilet, the noise, and flushing away " part of herself " are pretty common among the preschool set. Even without an anxiety disorder in the family, young kids do have their irrational fears and worries and anxieties. I admit reading of her hysterical reaction to being asked to throw away trash, and being able to toss the penny in the fountain, does give me more of a pause given my experiences with my OCD child. She was diagnosed at four. Since you must already have a relationship with your older daughter's psychiatrist or psychologist, I wonder if you could bring up these behaviors in your 3-year-old to that person, and ask whether an assessment might be in order at this point. Good luck, (((hugs))) for the extra worry, Kathy R. in Indiana ----- Original Message ----- > Where to begin....my 5 year old daughter was dx OCD in March. My 3 > year old began preschool two weeks ago and has new and intense > separation anxiety. Meanwhile she (the 3 year old) has also begun > to become hysterical when she is asked to throw something away or > flush the toilet and today SHE asked to throw a penny into a wishing > well, then ran away screaming and crying, couldn't throw the penny. > So, fearfully I ask, does this also seem like OCD, maybe early > hoarding behavior/thought processes? or has anyone ever experienced > intense and generalized separation anxiety as separate from OCD? > Thanks for any input you might have, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Hi , I do know that separation anxiety can occur apart from OCD and that there are developmentally appropriate stages that this can happen. You might talk to the ped and ask about this in a three-year-old. Also plain old fears about plumbing, going down the drain or toilet, the noise, and flushing away " part of herself " are pretty common among the preschool set. Even without an anxiety disorder in the family, young kids do have their irrational fears and worries and anxieties. I admit reading of her hysterical reaction to being asked to throw away trash, and being able to toss the penny in the fountain, does give me more of a pause given my experiences with my OCD child. She was diagnosed at four. Since you must already have a relationship with your older daughter's psychiatrist or psychologist, I wonder if you could bring up these behaviors in your 3-year-old to that person, and ask whether an assessment might be in order at this point. Good luck, (((hugs))) for the extra worry, Kathy R. in Indiana ----- Original Message ----- > Where to begin....my 5 year old daughter was dx OCD in March. My 3 > year old began preschool two weeks ago and has new and intense > separation anxiety. Meanwhile she (the 3 year old) has also begun > to become hysterical when she is asked to throw something away or > flush the toilet and today SHE asked to throw a penny into a wishing > well, then ran away screaming and crying, couldn't throw the penny. > So, fearfully I ask, does this also seem like OCD, maybe early > hoarding behavior/thought processes? or has anyone ever experienced > intense and generalized separation anxiety as separate from OCD? > Thanks for any input you might have, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Hi , I do know that separation anxiety can occur apart from OCD and that there are developmentally appropriate stages that this can happen. You might talk to the ped and ask about this in a three-year-old. Also plain old fears about plumbing, going down the drain or toilet, the noise, and flushing away " part of herself " are pretty common among the preschool set. Even without an anxiety disorder in the family, young kids do have their irrational fears and worries and anxieties. I admit reading of her hysterical reaction to being asked to throw away trash, and being able to toss the penny in the fountain, does give me more of a pause given my experiences with my OCD child. She was diagnosed at four. Since you must already have a relationship with your older daughter's psychiatrist or psychologist, I wonder if you could bring up these behaviors in your 3-year-old to that person, and ask whether an assessment might be in order at this point. Good luck, (((hugs))) for the extra worry, Kathy R. in Indiana ----- Original Message ----- > Where to begin....my 5 year old daughter was dx OCD in March. My 3 > year old began preschool two weeks ago and has new and intense > separation anxiety. Meanwhile she (the 3 year old) has also begun > to become hysterical when she is asked to throw something away or > flush the toilet and today SHE asked to throw a penny into a wishing > well, then ran away screaming and crying, couldn't throw the penny. > So, fearfully I ask, does this also seem like OCD, maybe early > hoarding behavior/thought processes? or has anyone ever experienced > intense and generalized separation anxiety as separate from OCD? > Thanks for any input you might have, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Dear , At this point I would assume that your three year old is simple reacting to the stress of starting preschool. That's a huge change for her, and little kids react to change in all kinds of ways. Separation anxiety is normal for a three year old, and like everything else, some kids have it more than others (my non-OCD child was the WORST about separating from me for preschool and kindergarten - I'll spare you the details). And fears about flushing or throwing away things are very common and normal in three year olds also. The increased anxiety could also be just a reaction to the changes in her life. This is not to say that she won't develop OCD , but save yourself the worry for a while. Spend lots of extra time with her, hug her often and watch (as if you can not, having one child with OCD!). She'll probably be fine! Best wishes, in NV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Dear , At this point I would assume that your three year old is simple reacting to the stress of starting preschool. That's a huge change for her, and little kids react to change in all kinds of ways. Separation anxiety is normal for a three year old, and like everything else, some kids have it more than others (my non-OCD child was the WORST about separating from me for preschool and kindergarten - I'll spare you the details). And fears about flushing or throwing away things are very common and normal in three year olds also. The increased anxiety could also be just a reaction to the changes in her life. This is not to say that she won't develop OCD , but save yourself the worry for a while. Spend lots of extra time with her, hug her often and watch (as if you can not, having one child with OCD!). She'll probably be fine! Best wishes, in NV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 , Just to give you a bit of hope & a possibility, my son , now 15 and not by OCD-diagnosed child, exhibited extreme OCD behaviors around that age also. Drove me crazy for 2-3-4 months, I was thinking then I'd HAVE to see about him getting treatment. But the behaviors faded away at some point. He's still a bit picky about neatness, but nothing distressing or anxiety causing. I'll keep my fingers crossed it works out this way for your 3 yr old! > Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses to my questions > and my fears. We are considering a psychiatric evaluation for my 3 > year old, yet waiting a week or so to see if the behaviors > continue. Interestingly enough, I took her to the pediatrician this > morning (one who is familiar at least with the word PANDAS) and he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 , Just to give you a bit of hope & a possibility, my son , now 15 and not by OCD-diagnosed child, exhibited extreme OCD behaviors around that age also. Drove me crazy for 2-3-4 months, I was thinking then I'd HAVE to see about him getting treatment. But the behaviors faded away at some point. He's still a bit picky about neatness, but nothing distressing or anxiety causing. I'll keep my fingers crossed it works out this way for your 3 yr old! > Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses to my questions > and my fears. We are considering a psychiatric evaluation for my 3 > year old, yet waiting a week or so to see if the behaviors > continue. Interestingly enough, I took her to the pediatrician this > morning (one who is familiar at least with the word PANDAS) and he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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