OCD ‘could be predicted by childhood hypersensitivity’

Heightened levels of sensitivity among children could be an indicator of a greater risk of developing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in their adult lives.

This is according to new research from Tel Aviv University, which suggests that a combination of extreme oral and tactile sensitivities and an excessive dependence on childhood rituals could lead to OCD later in life.

Two separate studies among children and adults have shown strong indications of the legitimacy of this correlation, as many hypersensitive children feel threatened by their environments and form obsessively ritualistic behaviour to regain a feeling of control.

Professor Reuven Dar of Tel Aviv University's department of psychology said he now wishes to conduct a longitudinal study to better understand this connection, as well as assessing where the turning point occurs between normal habits and OCD behaviour.

"A habit exhibited by a five or six-year-old is not necessarily a predictor of OCD. If the same behaviour continues to the ages of eight and above, it could be a warning sign," he noted.

NHS figures show that OCD is one of the most common forms of mental health disorder, affecting around three percent of adults and five percent of children and teenagers.