Does your teen exhibit patterns of repetitiveness, rituals, or constantly redoing everyday tasks? These are all signs of OCD in teens, a mental health condition that affects up to 4 percent of children and adolescents.
OCD is a condition characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts and ensuing repetitive and compulsive behaviors.
OCD is commonly misunderstood or misrepresented as a disorder of extreme cleanliness and neatness. Still, there are varying symptoms and archetypes that exist under the OCD umbrella and differences in severity that range from functional OCD to severely debilitating compulsive conditions and co-occurring, co-dependent anxieties or depressive symptoms.
Recognizing OCD early in a person is essential, as it may be key to reducing the likelihood of chronic OCD later in life and the development of co-dependent mental health conditions. While OCD may remain static for some, it is usually a condition that waxes and wanes over the years, especially if left untreated. This means it might disappear for some years and come back stronger later, especially if the diagnosed person is going through a high-stress period in their life.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
A person with OCD experiences two crucial elements: an unwanted, unavoidable, powerful, intrusive thought or series of images and repetitive, debilitating, and compulsive behaviors or mental acts.
The two are often linked. For example, someone who frequently thinks about their potential exposure to deadly germs may compensate by extremely frequent and excessive handwashing.
The obsession and the resulting or paired compulsion will be inherently nonsensical and irrational. A person with OCD knows this, and they understand the irrationality.
However, they cannot respond rationally to this portion of their brain. The driving factor behind both the obsession and the compulsion is overwhelming anxiety. This fear goes above and beyond what you can argue your way out of. In the same way, a person with OCD cannot simply stop acting the way they do through dialectics and rational thinking.
As such, treatment for OCD is a little more complicated than treatment for depression or other forms of anxiety. A person with OCD is less likely to respond positively to cognitive behavioral therapy, for example.
Types of OCD
There are archetypal thoughts, obsessions, and compulsions in people with OCD, collectively known as obsessive-compulsive symptoms. While they differ from person to person, they generally fit into the following categories:
Obsessions:
- Being contaminated, dirtied, or touching something dirty.
- Aggressive thoughts, harmful thoughts, and unwanted fantasies about violence.
- Sexual fantasies, unwanted imagery of taboo scenes, intrusive thinking about sex.
- Intrusive thoughts about religious taboos, a fear of being singled out by the divine, and scrupulosity.
- Symmetry and perfection, both aesthetic and conceptual.
- The constant fear of missing out.
Compulsions:
- Frequent washing and cleaning – to the point of injury or destroying things/wearing them down – are examples of repetitive behaviours associated with OCD.
- Asking for reassurance from others all the time.
- Repeating tasks and behaviors or checking things multiple times. Repeating sentences, mantras, or specific actions.
- Arranging and rearranging things various times until it’s “just right.”
It’s important not to fall into the trap of stereotyping OCD symptoms or assuming that there are enough textbook definitions to fit any single case. OCD can develop and show itself in many different contexts.
For example, one form of OCD involves an obsession with sexual orientation. A person with sexual orientation-related OCD will constantly worry and second guess their sexuality and will ask for reassurance that they seem straight or might compulsively look at pictures of the opposite sex to see if they’re still attractive.
The Common OCD Symptoms in Teens
Understanding the general structure of a person’s OCD and the symptom severity is just as important as recognizing telltale signs. OCD is ultimately an intertwined relationship between unwanted thoughts and unreasonable, futile behavior. Some common signs in teens include:
1. Repeated Cleaning Habits
A common sign of OCD is taking a relatively regular habit and pushing it to the point of damaging oneself. Excessive handwashing can break down the skin and damage a person’s health. Debilitating levels of cleaning can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
2. Frequent Sequential Checking
We’ve all left the stove on or forgotten our keys at some point. But when you catch yourself or your teen checking the front door an exact number of times every single day or going back and forth into the kitchen to check whether the oven is off again and again, there may be more than just a sensible obsession with safety at play.
3. Performing a Task Multiple Times in a Row
Locking, unlocking, locking, locking, locking, locking, and locking the door is an example of a repetitive task. As is turning a light switch on, off, on, off, on, then off again. These can include reciting something repeatedly, such as a personal mantra, a prayer, or something else.
4. Organizing and Reorganizing Constantly
It could be as simple as arranging the cutlery on the dinner table in just the right way to keep an entire shelf of books and figurines in a particular order and in perfect positioning. A single book out of place can cause anxiety so severe it results in panic. This is what OCD with an obsession with organization can look like.
5. Frequent Unwanted Thoughts
Most unwanted thoughts are taboo. Common ones include thinking of driving into crowds of people, feeling anxious about intrusive incestuous or pedophilic thoughts, and suddenly imagining sexual assault or violence against close friends or loved ones.
People with OCD never carry out any of these thoughts. But they haunt them to the point that it further deepens their reliance on compulsive behavior to soothe and reduce their thoughts. This destructive cycle is at its worst in cases of severe unwanted thinking because it can damage a person’s sense of self-worth and lead to self-harm, further exacerbating the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Impact of OCD on Teenagers
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can significantly impact teenagers, affecting their relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being. Teens with OCD often experience excessive worrying, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors that disrupt their daily routines and social interactions. These symptoms can be particularly challenging during adolescence, when fitting in and self-esteem are crucial.
For instance, teenagers might spend hours on rituals or compulsions, decreasing productivity and heightened stress levels. This can negatively affect their academic performance, as they may struggle to complete assignments or concentrate in class. Additionally, the embarrassment or shame associated with OCD symptoms can lead to social isolation, further diminishing their self-esteem.
Relationships with family and friends can also suffer. Teens with OCD might become withdrawn or irritable due to their symptoms, making it difficult for loved ones to understand and support them. Teenagers with OCD need to receive proper support and treatment to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. A mental health professional can help them develop coping strategies and provide the necessary tools to manage their OCD symptoms effectively.
Effective Therapies for Teen OCD
Several therapies have proven effective in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in teenagers. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone treatment that helps individuals identify and challenge their negative thoughts and behaviors. A specialized form of CBT, known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), involves exposing teens to situations that trigger their OCD symptoms while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors. This method helps them learn that their fears are often unfounded and that they can cope without compulsion.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are another effective treatment option. These medications increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors. SSRIs are often used in conjunction with therapy to provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
Family-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (FB-CBT) is also beneficial for teenagers with OCD. This approach involves the entire family in the treatment process, helping them understand and manage the teenager’s OCD symptoms. Families can create a supportive environment that fosters recovery and resilience by working together.
Coping Strategies for Teens with OCD
Managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be challenging, but several coping strategies can help teenagers manage their symptoms effectively. One effective strategy is practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization. These methods can help reduce anxiety and stress levels, making it easier to manage OCD symptoms.
Engaging in physical activity, such as exercise or sports, is another excellent way to cope with OCD. Physical activity can help reduce anxiety and improve mood, providing a healthy outlet for stress and obsessive thoughts.
Keeping a journal or diary can also be a helpful coping strategy. Writing down thoughts and feelings allows teens to process and manage their emotions, reducing the intensity of OCD symptoms. It can also serve as a tool for tracking progress and identifying triggers.
Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional is crucial for managing OCD symptoms. Talking to someone about their experiences can help teens feel less isolated and more supported, making it easier to cope with their condition.
Building a Supportive Community
Building a supportive community is essential for teenagers with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A strong support system can provide the necessary tools and resources to manage OCD symptoms, significantly improving their quality of life.
Family members play a crucial role in this support network. By educating themselves about OCD and its symptoms, they can offer emotional support and encouragement, helping the teenager feel less isolated and more understood. Open communication and patience are key to fostering a supportive home environment.
Friends also play a significant role in building a supportive community. Understanding and supportive friends can help teens feel more comfortable discussing their OCD symptoms, reducing feelings of shame and embarrassment. Encouraging social interactions and providing a listening ear can make a substantial difference.
Mental health professionals are another vital component of a supportive community. Therapists can offer guidance, coping strategies, and treatment plans tailored to the teenager’s needs. Regular therapy sessions can help teens develop the skills necessary to manage their OCD symptoms effectively.
Overall, building a supportive community involves a collective effort from family, friends, and mental health professionals. By providing emotional support, education, and resources, teens with OCD can manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Seeking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD
Treatments to treat OCD primarily center around cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), incorporating (ERP). CBT on its own may not be enough for treating OCD patients to find healthier coping mechanisms than their compulsions.
The unique addition of exposure therapy and response prevention focuses on mediating a person’s response to triggering exposure to their fears, which is a crucial aspect of OCD treatment. This may not always work; it works better with some OCD sufferers than others.
There are no OCD-specific medications, but SSRIs, modern antidepressants, can help reduce the severity of a person’s OCD to a significant degree.
OCD can take on many different shapes and forms. A person with OCD will not always be afraid of germs or have unwanted violent thoughts. They may have multiple other obsessions or primarily focus on just one.
In the same way, their treatment may include multiple modalities, and it can take time to find the best treatment path. Patience is required. If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms of OCD or other anxiety disorders, try to see a professional as soon as you can.
