There’s a point where obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors become disruptive and can negatively impact the social and mental development of a child or teen. When teens spend more than an hour or so each day worrying, and when they perform “rituals” or repetitive behaviors to prevent certain things from bothering them, they may be showing signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Children often create routines and repeat new things they’ve learned during different stages of development. Even teens will sometimes get distressed or anxious when things change. It can seem impossible to understand why they’re behaving in a certain way. Many times, they may not know themselves. Teens experiencing OCD can get relief from unwanted obsessions and learn to resist compulsive behaviors. This article describes symptoms that many teens with OCD experience and how you can help your teen if they’re showing symptoms.
How can I tell if my teen is experiencing OCD?
There are some distinct patterns to look for that may indicate your teen is experiencing OCD. Many children and teens with OCD will have focused obsessions and compulsions in certain areas, but not all. Some common things children and teens experiencing OCD will focus on include cleanliness, symmetry, harming themselves or others, and taboos (e.g., fears of religious or sexual misbehavior).
Understanding the cycle of obsessions and compulsions that characterizes OCD can help you decide if you should seek out a professional assessment. With OCD, obsessive thoughts are unwelcome and bothersome — not genuine interests. People experiencing OCD develop anxieties in response to automatic or “intrusive” thoughts. Compulsions are thoughts and behaviors aimed at stopping the obsessions. However, they only provide temporary relief, and the cycle begins again. Your child may start to show OCD signs gradually or all at once.
11 common signs and symptoms of OCD in teens
Childhood-onset OCD and adult OCD share a lot of similarities. If a child starts showing symptoms before adolescence, it’s considered childhood-onset OCD. Those who develop symptoms after puberty are considered to have adult OCD. Children experiencing OCD have the same rate of obsessions and compulsions as adults, according to the DSM-5-TR.
In children, however, behavior patterns are less stable, and they may not be able to put into words how they feel or why they behave a certain way. Other differences mainly have to do with external factors like treatment approaches and likely co-occurring conditions. Teens with adult OCD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Childhood-onset OCD often comes along with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or tics.
The following signs and symptoms may be cues that your teen needs treatment for OCD:
- Checking and double-checking things excessively
- Repeating certain words or numbers
- Praying, reciting or reviewing the same things constantly
- Performing rituals that get in the way of other activities
- Repeating actions until they’re done perfectly
- Needing to do things the same way all the time
- Constantly seeking reassurance about certain facts or their safety
- Organizing toys or household items in a certain way
- Showing intense discomfort when things aren’t exactly right
- Excessive cleaning or washing
- Hoarding personal or household items
How can I help my teen experiencing symptoms of OCD?
OCD is often explained away as “typical” child or teen behavior. You’re already helping your child by taking their symptoms seriously and learning about the condition. Listening actively and practicing nonjudgment are important ways to earn their trust. When your child knows they can share things with you without fear, you can have productive conversations about their mental health and treatment.
Being there to coach your teen and support them will help them achieve better treatment outcomes. But there’s a thin line between being supportive and accommodating their OCD behaviors. Your household routines and expectations shouldn’t change. However, living with someone who has OCD can affect family dynamics. At Embrace U, we know that immediate family members have important roles in each child’s mental health journey. Caregivers attend Parent U sessions to learn about what their children are going through and how they can best support them. We encourage everyone to learn about mental wellness and healthy family relationships.
Teens can be particularly sensitive to mental health stigma. They may not want others to know they’re experiencing OCD. Or they may be afraid of how it will affect their identity if they start talking about their condition and going to treatment. You can help them by educating yourself about mental health stigma and how to fight it. Group therapy helps teens cope with OCD, and it goes a long way to help with mental health stigma as well. Hearing from others who are further along in treatment shows them that healing is within their reach.
Is your child showing a few of the behaviors listed in this article? We can help. Our process begins with a free clinical consultation and a psychiatric assessment. We can answer any questions you have about OCD treatment and our teen programs.