Does my child or do I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Not everyone who experiences recurrent worrying thoughts and the need to repeat a behaviour (e.g. two blinks), in the belief that it will stop a bad thing from happening, has OCD. These types of symptoms are also common for people who are very anxious and common for many children as they are growing up. Children or young people with autism also sometimes use repetitive behaviours to help themselves feel calmer. Have a look at our pages on anxiety for some general resources. Also take a look at the “common myths” section below.
People with OCD experience frequent unwanted and sometimes disturbing thoughts or images (‘obsessions’). They then attempt to relieve the anxiety caused by these thoughts by performing repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (‘compulsions’). Common compulsions might be the need to wash hands, the need to check that the door is locked, or the need to perform an action a certain number of times, but there are many different ways in which OCD can affect people.
Often, the relief brought by carrying out these compulsive actions is short-lived, and in the longer term reinforces the obsession, which worsens the condition. OCD can take up a lot of time and make it difficult to get on with normal life. (e.g. school, social activities, family life). However, there is lots of help and advice available which can help young people learn to cope and there is good advice for parents below. The best approach is often cognitive behavioural therapy. Medication for anxiety is also sometimes used to help adults with OCD.
Information and advice on OCD
- OCD advice for parents who are worried their child might have OCD
- OCD assessment and treatment. More information about treatment and how a diagnosis is made.
- International OCD Foundation. This is a US site so some of the information isn’t relevant for other countries but there are some good sections including how to talk to your child or teenager about OCD.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines for OCD written for patients and carers.
For young people: Do I have OCD? Symptoms, treatments, support and advice
- Have I got OCD? Types of OCD behaviours
- What is OCD, treating OCD and things that can help with OCD
- “OCD is not me” – a video designed to raise awareness made by young people with the South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- OCD Action also have the possibility of peer support by phone/zoom or Skype
- OCD-Youth has articles, a blog and an online forum for support
Video: What is OCD? Dr Isobel Heyman from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Common myths about OCD
Let’s debunk some of these common myths about OCD – from YoungMinds UK
Myth: “OCD is just about liking things tidy, ordered and really clean”
Truth: It’s true that some people’s experience of OCD does centre around order, hygiene and contamination. And that’s a completely valid experience. But it’s not the same thing as simply liking things neat and tidy. The main difference is the anxiety these obsessions cause for people with OCD. There’s a big difference between liking things a certain way and feeling like you have to do things a certain way to avoid anxiety. Also, many people with OCD aren’t particularly worried about order, hygiene and contamination. People’s OCD can revolve around all sorts of things and will look different for everyone.
Myth: “If you have a bad thought, it means that on some level you want to act on it”
Truth: It’s really common to have intrusive thoughts about doing or saying bad things. Most people have these thoughts. But for people with OCD, it can be hard to shrug these off. Often people with OCD will question why they had the thought in the first place and what it means. The more they try to suppress the thought, the more it keeps coming back. This causes anxiety because the thought is so horrible to them. It doesn’t mean they secretly want to act on the thought. People with OCD are very unlikely to act on intrusive thoughts.
Myth: “Having OCD is just being a perfectionist”
Truth: OCD is not the same thing as perfectionism. Perfectionism is a character trait, whereas OCD is a mental health condition. With OCD, a person feels compelled to carry out certain behaviours. Someone with OCD experiences great anxiety and distress if they can’t perform compulsions. The difference is that perfectionism is not fuelled by anxiety. Instead, it’s a strong desire to meet high standards for particular tasks or skills. This can still be really hard to deal with, but it’s not the same as OCD, which is a mental health condition
Books for different ages
- What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming OCD by Dawn Huebner. For children aged 8-12 years. Well written and helps you talk to your child about strategies for dealing with unwanted thoughts and behaviours.
- Touch and Go Joe: An Adolescent’s Experience of OCD by Joe Wells
- All the Things that Could go Wrong by Stewart Foster. An award-winning story about a boy with OCD and about bullying, which is both moving and funny but above all an honest look at what it’s like to have OCD. Suitable from 9-10yrs
- Can I tell you about OCD? by Arnita Jassi. A short book that is useful for children, but also for parents and siblings to explain what it’s like to have OCD.
- Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say No Way – and Parents Say Way to Go by John March and Christine Benton. Some American terminology.
- Breaking Free from OCD: A CBT Guide for Young People and Their Families by Jo Derisley. Part of the Reading Well “Shelf-Help” scheme of books chosen by young people and professionals: available in your local library.
- OCD Action recommended book list for all ages, and for families, includes many of the above and more