Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Help for Children and Adolescents
Review by Jennifer Coleman, Ph.D., Child Clinical Psychologist
| Resource: |
Waltz, Mitzi. (2000). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Help for Children and Adolescents. United States: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. |
This book is a great resource for teachers, parents, and practitioners working with young children who have obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Approximately 1 in 100 children have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is a truly debilitating illness that causes extreme anxiety and embarrassment for children. Author Mitzi Waltz does an excellent job of describing this psychological problem in children and how to help. She is the parent of two children diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and she coped with the disorder as a child. Not only does this book help you understand what it is like for a child with OCD, it provides a wealth of information about medical and behavioral interventions. The author provides strategies for coping with OCD both in the home and in the school environment. There is also a very helpful section on dealing with insurance companies, a topic that is very important but often overlooked. I was particularly impressed with her knowledge and presentation of the resources available for families of children with OCD. This book is a very thorough yet readable resource book that I highly recommend for those who interact with children with OCD.