Treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in youth and teens
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be overwhelming for youth, teens, young adults, and their families. It can lead to poor grades, low self-esteem, and difficult relationships. It’s important to know the signs to look for and understand your OCD treatment options.
What does obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) look like in adolescents and teens?
OCD is a mental health condition in which youth and teens have uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and feel they must do certain actions repeatedly (compulsions) to ease their worries. It can affect school, friendships, and family life.
Common types of OCD in teens include:
- Contamination OCD:
Fear of germs, leading to excessive handwashing
- Harm OCD:
Fear of causing harm, leading to behaviors like removing sharp objects
- Pure OCD:
Mental strategies to cope with intrusive thoughts, like silent prayers
It’s important to recognize signs and symptoms early so you can find the right treatment for the specific type of OCD your youth, teen, or young adult is experiencing.
What does obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) look like in adolescents and teens?
Signs and symptoms of OCD can develop gradually in youth and teens and include obsessions and compulsions.
Obessions:
- Intrusive thoughts, often about violent or immoral themes
- Fear of losing control over thoughts or actions
- Constant doubt and fear that lead to mistrust of memories
- Fixation on symmetry and arrangement of objects
Compulsions:
- Repeatedly checking things like the oven or doors
- Counting to block out intrusive thoughts
- Ordering and arranging items in specific ways
- Excessive cleaning due to fear of germs
- Following strict routines to stop obsessive thoughts
- Constantly worrying about future events
- Avoiding places or situations related to obsessive thoughts
- Seeking reassurance from friends and family
Recognizing these OCD signs and symptoms early and seeking professional help can make a big difference in your youth or teen’s recovery.
How can I help my youth or teen with OCD?
The exact cause of OCD is unknown, but several factors can be at play, such as body chemistry, genetics, and stressful life events.
Supporting a youth or teen with OCD can be challenging, but these strategies can help:
- Educate yourself:
Learn more about OCD to understand what your youth, teen, or young adult is going through
- Encourage treatment:
Support your youth or teen in attending therapy sessions and following their treatment plan
- Stay calm and patient:
React calmly to your adolescent or teen’s OCD behaviors and be patient as they work through treatment
- Create a supportive environment:
Foster a safe, understanding home environment where your adolescent or teen feels comfortable discussing their struggles with OCD
- Set consistent routines:
Help your adolescent, teen, or young adult establish and stick to daily routines
- Avoid enabling:
Resist accommodating OCD behaviors; instead, gently encourage your youth or teen to face their fears
- Praise efforts:
Acknowledge and praise your youth or teen’s efforts to manage their OCD
- Communicate openly:
Keep open lines of communication to provide reassurance and support
- Participate in therapy:
Join family therapy sessions to learn strategies and offer support
- Participate in therapy:
Seek professional help:
These steps can make a big difference in OCD treatment and improve the quality of life for your youth, adolescent, teen, or young adult.
OCD treatment for youth and teens
If you think your youth or teen has OCD, early intervention can make a big difference. Embark offers tailored OCD treatment through outpatient clinics, OCD residential treatment centers, and virtual programs.
Here are some of the OCD treatment approaches we offer:
- Family therapy:
Helps families create a supportive environment
- Group therapy:
Teens share experiences with their peers
- Individual therapy:
One-on-one sessions with an OCD specialist
- Attachment-focused therapy:
Builds secure relationships to manage emotions
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy:
Reduces compulsions by exposing teens to triggers in a safe environment
School Source is here to help your youth or teen manage their OCD symptoms and improve their quality of life.