Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be debilitating for anyone living with it. At the very least, it gets in the way of living life without interruption. Intrusive thoughts become obsessive, which sometimes force compulsive behaviors. If you think your teen is living with this condition, knowing the facts about OCD can help you talk with them appropriately and find the right support. Sometimes, that support includes adolescent OCD treatment.
What Is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that individuals feel compelled to perform. For teens, these symptoms can be particularly distressing and disruptive, affecting their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. It’s important to differentiate between typical teenage behavior and the excessive, uncontrollable behaviors associated with OCD.
Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Teens
It can be challenging to determine if your teen is struggling with OCD, as they may try to hide their symptoms or feel ashamed and embarrassed about their thoughts and behaviors. However, there are some common signs that parents should look out for:
- Excessive hand-washing or cleaning rituals
- Repeatedly checking things (e.g., locks, switches)
- Arranging objects in a specific order or pattern
- Constant need for reassurance or repeating questions
- Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to themselves or others
- Fear of germs or contamination
If you notice these behaviors in your teen, it’s essential to seek professional help and get a proper diagnosis. Remember, early intervention can significantly improve the outcome for teens with OCD.
Facts About OCD
Prevalence of OCD Among Teenagers
OCD affects approximately 0.25–4% of the adolescent population.1 This means that out of every 100 teenagers, one to four may experience significant OCD symptoms. Understanding the prevalence helps in recognizing that OCD is not uncommon and deserves attention and care.
Unfortunately, even as common as OCD is among teens, the stigma surrounding mental health persists and makes it difficult to get help. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness or that something is inherently wrong. Treatment can help ease symptoms and lead to better outcomes.
Onset and Early Signs of OCD
OCD often begins in childhood or adolescence, with most individuals showing symptoms by the age of 19. Early signs may include excessive hand washing, repeated checking, or a strong need for symmetry and order. Parents should be vigilant for these behaviors, especially if they interfere with daily activities.
There are a few stereotypical depictions of OCD that do not capture everything a teen living with OCD may experience. Your teen might display signs that, while impairing, might not be easy for you to interpret. These may include intrusive, distressing thoughts about sex or violence that they do not want to express around family or friends.
Obsessive Thoughts Can Exist Without Obvious Compulsive Actions
One common misconception about OCD is that it always involves both obsessive thoughts and obvious compulsive behaviors. However, some individuals experience the intrusive, obsessive thoughts and compulsive reasoning. Compulsive reasoning is another thought pattern, one that seems like a ping pong match, trying to make sense of something.
Without the physical rituals to observe, compulsive reasoning can be challenging for parents to recognize in their teen. Your teen, instead, might struggle with feelings of shame or guilt related to their thoughts, leading them to try and mask their symptoms. Creating an open, non-judgmental environment at home can help your teen feel safe to discuss their thoughts.
Impact of OCD on Daily Life
For teens, OCD can be more than a series of annoying habits; it can dominate their lives. Symptoms often interfere with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and relationships. For instance, a teen might spend hours ensuring their books are perfectly arranged, leading to missed homework deadlines and increased stress.
When your teen is constantly thinking of the orderliness of things, cleanliness of their surroundings, or perfection in tasks, it becomes challenging for them to engage with peers and create meaningful connections. They may also avoid certain situations that trigger their obsessions, leading to isolation and a limited social life.
Co-Occurring Conditions
Many teens with OCD also struggle with other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These co-occurring conditions can complicate the diagnosis and treatment, making comprehensive care even more essential.
When co-occurring mental health conditions are present, integrated treatment that addresses both disorders simultaneously is crucial for optimal outcomes. At Family First, our teen mental health programming incorporates evidence-based interventions for co-occurring conditions to provide comprehensive care.
Talking to Your Teen About Their Mental Health
If your teen is diagnosed with OCD—especially if they are receiving treatment—supporting their journey can help them live with their symptoms. There is no “cure” for OCD, but it can be managed. Caving to every request or accommodating every obsession is not helpful. However, you can help them find healthy ways to cope and work toward recovery.2
It’s also essential to have open and honest conversations with your teen about their mental health. Validate their experiences and feelings, encourage them to seek support, and educate yourself on OCD so that you can better understand what they are going through.
Is It Time for Treatment?
When you talk to your teen about their mental health, ask them about how it affects their daily life. Does it get in the way of their schoolwork? Their friendships? Even just getting ready in the morning or winding down at night? If so, it might be time to get help.
Professional treatment for teen OCD involves evidence-based talk therapy—usually a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at reducing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors—and sometimes medication. Both talk therapy and medication can be safe, effective parts of an overall treatment plan, and your teen’s provider will work with you to determine the best approach for them.
Find Help for Your Teen Today
OCD can be managed, and Family First can help. Our programming is designed to help our 13–18-year-old clients develop better ways to cope with their thoughts and manage their symptoms.
With more than 120 years of combined clinical experience and a compassionate, family-focused approach, we are dedicated to helping teens and their families navigate the challenges of mental health. Our specialized programming focuses on treating not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of OCD.
If you think your teen may be struggling with OCD, don’t wait to get them the help they need. Contact us online today or at 888.904.5947 to find the support your teen and family need to move forward. We offer a residential boys-only program and a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for both boys and girls.
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