Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: behavior obsessional + obsessive + behavior  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/7/2008)

All files pointed to Ivins, FBI says Baltimore Sun, United States - ... and how what they called a history of mental illness and obsessive behavior helped them build a case that is circumstantial but, they said, irrefutable. ... Stress and Compulsion in Dogs YourHub.com, CO - Obsessive-compulsive disorders, whether in humans or animals are repetitive, relatively unvaried behavior patterns that re exaggerated in intensity, ... Washington Post Acquaintances, Counselor Recall Ivins as Frightening and Disturbed Washington Post, United States - Ivins's behavior prompted Haigwood to contact the FBI in 2002 after the American Society for Microbiology circulated a note saying that the person ... AssociatedPress all 1,498 news articles » Canada.com Brain Scans Show Heightened Risk for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Washington Post, United States - Jul 17, 2008 ... Lowered activity in the brain region involved with stopping habitual behavior may help identify people at higher risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder. ... Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Linked To Brain Activity Science Daily (press release) Underactive region in brain linked to OCD CBC.ca Brain region linked to obsessive disorder risk Reuters India Telegraph.co.uk - MedPage Today all 51 news articles » Attention Deficit Disorder Basil & Spice, FL - Aug 5, 2008 As a psychiatrist, the challenge is that what are called Axis I disorders ?such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive ... Concerns Over Possible Jury Tampering In Murder Trial KAPP, WA - Aug 4, 2008 She testified Spencer's obsessive behavior affected the victim's job performance. "She enjoyed having Rebecca as a caretaker for her father but was forced ... Feast for beasts GreaterKashmir.com (press release), India - Aug 1, 2008 Time has come for the people with some sense of social responsibility to publicly not only censure but also actively disassociate with the wicked behavior. ... O is for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder The Santa Barbara Independent, CA - Jul 27, 2008 There is a period of naturally occurring obsessional behavior where kids play games like ?step on a crack, break your mother's back. ... The FDA Guerillas of Wonky DrugWonks - Part I Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand - Aug 5, 2008 Later in the same blog he wrote: ?Here is the BMJ retraction AND apology as it pertains to Lenzer's unethical and sleazy behavior,? and pasted a copy of the ... The Politics of Codependency Atlantic Free Press, Netherlands - Aug 5, 2008 ... it is one of textbook codependency, a maladaptive, obsessive behavior acquired in order to survive in an emotionally turbulent and chaotic environment. ...

What is my son's obsessional behaviour?

 It is difficult as a parent to know how to cope with the changing behaviour of an adolescent. Most of us parents have little or no experience or training to prepare them for what is a natural transition into adulthood and often find this a worrying time, especially with their first child.

The appropriate standards for adolescent behaviour are not the same as for younger children or adults and will be different between different families and different cultures. We may use memories of our own growing up years as a reference point but is often not a fair basis on which to judge their own children. Society's standards have changed and our children's characters have as many differences as resemblances to our own.

If we have been particularly high achievers we may unwittingly place unrealistic expectations on our children who may then feel inadequate and frustrated if they cannot reach these standards. If we feel we did poorly as teenagers we may fear our children will go the same way and be overprotective.

You describe your son's behaviour as obsessional. True obsessional thoughts are recurrent, persistent thoughts, impulses or images which a person regards as absurd or alien and recognises to be the product of his own mind. He may often make attempts to resist such thoughts. Examples of such thoughts are worrying that the world is about to end, that his hands are unclean, or intrusive words or phrases which are upsetting to the patient and are often of a violent, sexual or blasphemous theme. Sometimes the worrying thoughts are an exaggeration of a normal anxiety such as that the gas tap is left on or the house unlocked.

We all have such thoughts from time to time but they become obsessional when they intrude on normal life, for example by requiring the person to perform a compulsive ritual to reassure them. An example is the handwashing compulsion which often follows the obsessional thought that the hands are contaminated with faecal matter.

You describe that your son has to check doors are locked and everything is in its place before going to school. It is difficult to know if this is true obsessional/compulsive behaviour as we do not know what worries or anxieties are behind these actions. We all show a degree of this behaviour before leaving the house in the morning and it may be that your son is becoming more responsible for his own room and belongings. However there may be underlying anxieties which are becoming inappropriate perhaps because of other pressures in his life.

You describe your son's playing outside with his friends as obsessional but this does not sound obsessional in the psychiatric sense but simply a behaviour which he enjoys pursuing. His aggression if he is stopped from doing this is probably a normal reaction for a thirteen year old boy.

The first step, if you've not already tried it, is simply to talk to your son at a time when there are no distractions and you're both not too tired, perhaps at a weekend. Ask him what he is worried about when he leaves his room in the morning. Ask him why he gets angry when anything stops him playing outside with his friends. If his answers are reasonable and logical (even if you don't agree with them) then be reassured he is going through the normal problems, difficulties and frustrations of adolescence. You can help by being there for him when necessary, but allowing him increasing responsibility, privileges and freedom. This helps the separation which is essential is he is to grow up and stand alone as an adult.

If your son's answers sound inappropriate along the obsessional lines I described earlier or he expresses other irrational ideas or fears it's worth discussing this with your GP who can refer him to the local community mental health team. This team can then assess whether he needs further help and support.

We recommend readers seek personal medical attention in appropriate circumstances