Health anxiety in nine year old?

[Anonymous]

DS seems to have some form of OCD and lately he has been so focused on every little thing going on inside his body...and he frequently verbalizes somatic sensations to me, as if he needs reassurance that everything is okay. If he feels unusually tired then he worries he's going to get stomach flu, like he did two years ago. He asks things like...is his head warm?...his elbow feels funny...he feels like he has a burp in his throat that won't come out...when he walks a lot his chest feels funny but he doesn't know how to describe it, etc. When we talk about it, he says he's not really worried about this stuff but he still wants to ask me these questions. I realize it's a compulsion and a symptom of OCD but how should I handle it? Isn't he on the young side to be going through this? I feel like I'm living with a nine year old Woody Allen!! In general he is actually a pretty happy, well-adjusted kid and doesn't seem to be suffering all that much. He also only does it with me and DH. But if anyone has BTDT and has some strategies to share, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, we have a list of places to call for professional guidance, and we will definitely get him help. But I was just looking for some BTDT feedback. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Does he do this a lot? Daily, weekly? If this is something ongoing and getting worse, I would consider taking him to a therapist b/c if it's OCD or anxiety, it will probably get worse if you don't address it.

[Anonymous]

I recommend some kind of Yellow Light, Red Light, Green Light technique here. He's definitely sensory-controlled. Try to stay away from perjoratives like hypochondria or somatic behavior and try to think of it as him being tuned into his body which can be a strength but he's on sensory overloaded right now. Help him process it.