Recognizing OCD at School: Introduction
Recognizing OCD at School
While frustrating to educators, OCD may be torture for the students who have it. In order to help a student who has OCD, educators must understand that OCD may be responsible for what is causing the student’s difficulties. In this section, school personnel can learn how to recognize behavior at school that may be caused by OCD.
OCD is sometimes difficult to identify because the observable symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other conditions and mental disorders. In addition, OCD symptoms in children and adolescents can change over time. It’s important to have a good understanding of the variety of behaviors that may be an indication of OCD so that you can help initiate a plan to assist the student.
Learn more about OCD symptoms and behavior that may indicate OCD at school.
The Effect of OCD on Academic Performance
A student who has untreated OCD is likely to have a very difficult time concentrating in the classroom and completing homework assignments. Children with OCD may experience extreme anxiety or strong urges which, at times, may actually overwhelm them. Children and teens might describe the feeling of mounting anxiety or intensifying urges as if they were a rising volcano or a tea kettle about to boil -- and relief comes only when the pressure is released. Unfortunately, the release is usually a compulsive behavior that may be extremely disruptive to the student’s learning, and possibly to the classroom.
Students with OCD may be unable to learn the same way a typical child or young adult does. The minds of students with this disorder may be focused on their obsessions or compulsions instead of the task at hand (in school or at home). The OCD can negatively impact their performance because of conflict they may be experiencing. On the one hand, they want to be like other students -- able to pay attention in class, participate in discussions or presentations and study or do homework assignments. On the other hand, they feel compelled to respond to the obsessions or urges caused by the OCD, and a tremendous amount of their energy and focus is sapped by OCD messages their brains are receiving and by the need to perform compulsions. When the teacher is talking, the student with OCD may barely hear what is being said because of fears and doubts running through his or her mind.
Learn more about how OCD can derail a student’s ability to learn.
The Effect of OCD on Social Interactions
OCD not only can adversely affect academic performance, but it can also have devastating effects on a young person’s ability to interact appropriately with others. As a result, opportunities for friendships and fun can be lost and self esteem can be negatively impacted. Youth is a critical time for developing social skills and relationships -- OCD can be a roadblock to important developmental progress.
In some cases, the student may exhibit no symptoms at school, but at home he or she is plagued with worries or intrusive thoughts and rituals which can derail normal activities such as studying or completing homework assignments, playing with other children and maintaining a balanced relationship with family members.
For these reasons, it’s important that all school personnel take OCD seriously and work with the student and the family to provide support.
Learn more about the effect of OCD on a student’s social development and self esteem.