Test Your Knowledge

Preparing questions in advance can help parents and patients have more meaningful discussions with physicians regarding their or their child’s conditions. Parents may wish to ask the doctor the following questions related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and children:

1. How can I get my child to talk about the obsessions and compulsions he/she appears to be hiding?
   
   
2. How will you diagnose my child’s OCD?
   
   
3. Should I alert the school or daycare staff about my child’s OCD?
   
   
4. What are my child’s treatment options?
   
   
5. Should my child take medications to treat his or her OCD?
   
   
6. What are the potential risks and side effects of these treatments?
   
   
7. Is there anything I can do to ease my child’s OCD?
   
   
8. What steps can I take to increase the odds that my child’s treatment will be effective?
   
   
9. How long will it take for my child’s condition to improve?
   
   
10. What signs might indicate that my child’s OCD is becoming worse or improving?