<font color="purple"> Well, I've seen my baby cousins a few times, and they seemed alright, but during our last visit my aunt was talking to mom and I about how my two year old cousin (whenever he gets a treat) ALWAYS needs one for each hand. It's not so much of a greed sort of thing either, as I saw it myself a few times when mom game him a strawwberry (we cut it in half just so he can have his two) or when my brother gave him some m&m's.

When I suggested that he may have OCD she said that it would explain alot of things actualy (which leads me to believe that there is a bit more then just the 'one for each hand' thing going on)

It makes alot of sense to me, even if he is still really too young to really diagnose OCD (in my opinion) considering there is anxiety/depression/OCD running through that side of the family (My mom has anxiety and depression, I have it too, as well as the high possibility of OCD, my brother has depression and seasonal affective disorder, plus my aunt herself I must admit has some qualities of OCD herself)and apparently he exhibits the kind of behavior that I would expect from a small child with OCD

I just wanted to know what other people opinions on the subject here, wether you have it or are a professional.
</font>

[ECHOES]

i don't know but i think it's natural to want something for each hand at that age. some toddlers, when learning to walk, want to hold something in one or both hands.

when my nephew was about 2 he wanted to carry around some little toys, people or rectangular blocks or something like that. they were different colors and he 'had to' have the same ones in a particular color order in his hand before toddling off. if they got out of order he started over. Today he is a teen with no OCD symptoms at all.

I think there are times in development when independence is being learned and practiced that can seem like OCD symptoms but is really a normal way of doing things routinely (a way of learning) and stubbornly (independence) and is completely appropriate for that age.

[LizardL8y]

It might be just his age, but it also could be an early sign of OCD. When looking back my parents can track behaviors in me from before I can even remember that now occur to them may have been an early sign of my OCD. Of course, they'd never heard of OCD until I told them about it in high school and never knew anything about it until I was diagnosed at 18 so they just thought I was, uh, a little odd? I had the symmetry issue, not only had to always have something in each hand, but if I pointed to something I had to point with both hands. Often if I had an itch on one side of my body I'd have to scratch the other side in the exact same place. I couldn't step on cracks. All kinds of stuff. You never know... and it really wont matter because I doubt even if it is OCD that there is anything anyone could do about it in a kid that young, but just keep an eye on him... see what happens as he gets older! Hopefully its just a "terrible twos" issue!

[ickydog2006]

Like others said, could be age, could be OCD symptoms. I can remember suffering OCD symptoms as young as 5, of course at that time I couldn't explain my feelings or the behaviors. I wouldn't worry to much but his parents should probably keep an eye on these symptoms and others and keep track of their severity. If similar symptoms start to happen as he's growing up they'll probably want to talk to a doctor about it.

I hope things turn out okay

[Perna]

Probably age-appropriate/"balance" and learning how things are. My nephew was into holding two matchbook cars at that age, heck to try and dress/put a jersey on :-) I wouldn't necessarily encourage it all the time. I know it's "easier" to not listen to the fuss but that's what 2 year olds are about, temper tantrums as they figure stuff out and that they can't "do" everything themsevles and that they aren't the ones in charge.

[sabby]

It could very well be that he sees he has 2 hands and therefore should have something in each hand! It could also be his way of learning which hand is dominant....what hand will he use more easily than the other? This could be extremely innocent and part of growing up.



Hugsss
sabby