OCD

Have you ever had a thought that just would not go away, no matter how hard you tried? Maybe it was a worry that something bad might happen, or a feeling that you needed to do something over and over again until it felt “just right.” If these kinds of thoughts and behaviours start to take over your life, you might be dealing with something called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD for short.

OCD is a condition where your brain gets stuck on a certain thought or idea (this is called an obsession), and to make the uncomfortable feelings go away, you feel like you must do something repeatedly (this is called a compulsion). Some common obsessions that kids and teens with OCD might have:

• Worrying about germs, getting sick, or that something is dirty
• Fears about bad things happening to themselves or others
• Needing things to be in a specific order or arrangement
• Thoughts that are against their values or beliefs

To deal with these obsessions, someone with OCD might:

• Wash their hands over and over again
• Check things repeatedly, like making sure the door is locked or the oven is off
• Count to a certain number or repeat a word or phrase in their head
• Arrange things in a very specific way
• Hoard or collect items they do not really need

Kids and teens with OCD usually know that their thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but they feel unable to control them. OCD can be really frustrating, time-consuming, and can get in the way of school, friendships, and family life.

The good news is, OCD is treatable! With the help of a special kind of therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication, kids and teens can learn to recognize and control their OCD symptoms. In therapy, they will learn how to face their fears gradually and resist the urge to do their compulsions. Over time, this can help weaken OCD’s grip and allow them to take back control of their lives.

OCD is a condition where your brain gets stuck on a certain thought or idea (this is called an obsession), and to make the uncomfy feelings go away, you feel like you must do something repeatedly (this is called a compulsion). Some common obsessions that kids and teens with OCD might have are:

• Worrying about germs, getting sick, or that something is dirty
• Fears about bad things happening to themselves or others
• Needing things to be in a specific order or arrangement
• Thoughts that are against their values or beliefs

To deal with these obsessions, someone with OCD might:

• Wash their hands over and over again
• Check things repeatedly, like making sure the door is locked or the oven is off
• Count to a certain number or repeat a word or phrase in their head
• Arrange things in a very specific way
• Hoard or collect items they do not really need

Kids and teens with OCD usually know that their thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but they feel unable to control them. OCD can be really frustrating, time-consuming, and can get in the way of school, friendships, and family life.

The good news is, OCD is treatable! With the help of a special kind of therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication, kids and teens can learn to recognize and control their OCD symptoms. In therapy, they will learn how to face their fears gradually and resist the urge to do their compulsions. Over time, this can help weaken OCD’s grip and allow them to take back control of their lives.