Dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be tricky, and even trickier when trying to learn how to handle a OCD in teens. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was traditionally categorized as an anxiety disorder in various diagnostic manuals, including the ICD-10 and DSM editions, before its classification changed due to emerging evidence of its distinct characteristics and aetiology compared to other anxiety disorders. OCD is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts and worries (obsessions) and concurrent irrational, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions).
These two elements create a recurring cycle, where teens with OCD feel growing anxiety and discomfort through their obsessions and soothe them with their compulsions for a short time, only for the nagging feeling to return.
Understanding OCD in Teenagers
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that significantly impacts teenagers, causing distress and impairing their daily lives. OCD is characterized by recurring, intrusive thoughts known as obsessions and repetitive behaviors called compulsions. These compulsions are performed in an attempt to alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsessions. For instance, a teenager might feel compelled to wash their hands excessively due to a fear of contamination or repeatedly check locks to ensure safety. Understanding OCD in teenagers is crucial for providing effective treatment and support, as it helps in recognizing the signs and addressing the condition appropriately.
What is Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Like?
Cases of teenage OCD can vary in severity and nature. Some teens exhibit classic symptoms, such as counting or repeating mantras, performing actions repeatedly (turning lights on and off a set number of times, etc.), or excessive cleaning. Some actions are more obscure, however, such as excessive religious repentance or superstitiously avoiding certain concepts, places, and numbers. A history of anxiety in family members can trigger OCD, and accommodating behaviors from family members can perpetuate the cycle of OCD.
OCD Symptoms Vary
Obsessive compulsive symptoms can greatly vary in severity and kind, especially in teenagers with OCD. Some teens with OCD feel extreme mysophobia. They feel they are at risk of infection from others and fear contamination, even if it isn’t possible. This can directly relate to their ritual of choice, such as handwashing.
In other cases, a teen with OCD might have recurring thoughts about their loved ones getting hurt in an explosion or accident. They feel they can’t keep these thoughts from happening, so they check the stove, the lights, or the locks several times a day.
OCD Becomes Complicated with Time
OCD can become more complicated with time. What might have started as simply checking the stove once to make sure there’s no gas leak might turn into a complex set of checking rituals involving a precise number of checks. There is no pleasure or joy in these rituals. They’re forced because a teen with OCD feels they have no choice but to perform them or suffer from their unwanted thoughts.
For parents and loved ones, this behavior can range from irritating to worrying. If your teen likes being neat or clean and consistently organizes their surroundings, it might be time-consuming at first, but it probably doesn’t seem alarming.
When they begin to spend over an hour every day organizing and reorganizing their space, on the other hand, it can begin to disrupt their day-to-day lives and become a detriment to their studies, their work, and their relationships. OCD often begins during adolescence, which means that teens with OCD might struggle to keep up with their peers socially and academically as a result of their condition.
Seeking treatment as soon as possible is crucial. But this might lead to the next hurdle for some parents.
Recognizing OCD Symptoms in Teenagers
Identifying OCD symptoms in teenagers can be challenging, as the signs may not always be obvious. However, there are several common symptoms that may indicate the presence of OCD. These include excessive cleaning or handwashing, repeated checking of locks, appliances, or other items, and arranging objects in a specific way. Teenagers with OCD may also experience intrusive thoughts about harm, contamination, or other distressing themes, leading them to avoid certain situations or activities to prevent triggering their symptoms. If you suspect that your teenager may be experiencing OCD symptoms, it is essential to seek professional help from a mental health expert to ensure they receive the appropriate care and support.
The Impact of OCD on Teenagers’ Mental Health
OCD can have a profound impact on a teenager’s mental health, often leading to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Teenagers with OCD may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their symptoms, causing them to hide their struggles from friends and family. This secrecy can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation, making it even more challenging to manage OCD symptoms. Additionally, OCD can interfere with daily life, relationships, and academic performance, increasing stress and anxiety. Understanding the emotional and social challenges faced by teenagers with OCD is essential for providing the support they need to navigate these difficulties.
Dealing with Teen OCD Treatment Refusal
OCD is treated through a therapeutic method called exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), which aims to help teens come to terms with their unwanted thoughts and ignore their compulsions through a slow, step-by-step approach. Additionally, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) plays a significant role in treating adolescents with OCD by helping them understand and manage their compulsive rituals, develop coping skills, and involve parents in the treatment process to support their children effectively. Cognitive therapy, integrated within CBT, is crucial in treating mental health issues, specifically focusing on helping teens challenge their appraisals and core fears during the therapy process.
Like a form of behavioral training (and in turn, cognitive training), ERP might put a teen in a situation where their compulsion is triggered and then challenge them to ignore that compulsion for a few minutes, then a bit longer until they can eventually stop themselves from answering to their obsession (and thus begin letting it fade into the background of their thoughts).
Treatment Stigma
Some teens might not want to go through treatment for their condition, however. Recognizing and admitting their symptoms of mental illness, such as OCD, can be particularly challenging due to societal stigma. They might be worried about the stigma surrounding treatment, and if they haven’t told any of their friends or classmates yet, they might be worried that going to therapy might mean they would be treated differently. Perhaps they might also be worried about the side effects of OCD medication or potentially falling behind academically due to treatment.
The thing is that, for most teens with OCD, these worries come to pass anyway as their condition progresses, even if they don’t want to consider that.
Motivational Interviewing
One way to help convince a teen to get the help they need might be through motivational interviewing, wherein a mental health professional helps motivate change and reduce a teen’s worries regarding treatment by addressing their questions and helping them better understand both their diagnosis and their treatment process. Early intervention is crucial in treating OCD, and therapy options such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) can significantly improve a teen’s quality of life.
This is different from forcing or nagging a teen to get help – instead, it argues for the positive benefits of help versus the consequences of a growing OCD problem.
Managing OCD Triggers and Symptoms
Effectively managing OCD triggers and symptoms requires a comprehensive treatment plan that includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and lifestyle changes. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge the negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with OCD. A specific type of CBT, known as exposure and response prevention (ERP), involves gradually exposing individuals to situations or objects that trigger their OCD symptoms while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also be effective in reducing OCD symptoms. Additionally, lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress management, can play a crucial role in alleviating OCD symptoms and improving overall mental health.
Reinforcing Positive Coping Skills at Home
As a teen’s treatment progresses, they may learn to apply healthier habits and coping skills to minimize the effect that their OCD symptoms have on their day-to-day life. They might be tasked with both nutritional changes and physical activity, embracing a productive hobby, or spending more time socializing with friends. Family therapy can also play a crucial role in addressing family dynamics that impact the effectiveness of CBT, particularly in families experiencing conflict and parental blame.
Keeping up with these healthy coping skills alone is incredibly difficult. It takes a serious commitment and self-discipline, as well as a love for things like physical activity or a newfound hobby.
Helping your teen reinforce these habits by joining in is important. Let them help you plan and organize healthier meals, cook quick or easy recipes, or make healthier take-out choices. Encourage them to join you on a morning run, hit the gym alongside you, or go on more outdoor trips over the weekend. Encourage them to help you out around the house, in the garden, or in the garage.
Taking Care of Yourself
It’s only natural to want to put our loved ones first, especially if you are in the role of caretaker as a teen’s parent or guardian. Caregivers supporting OCD sufferers face unique challenges, and while the health of your teen is important, it can begin to affect your own mental health as well. Don’t try to help them alone.
Enlist the help of other relatives, teachers, and mental health professionals, and consider working with a mental health professional to develop your own habits and coping skills to deal with the stress.
Even just beginning a journal, writing in a personal log, picking up an old hobby you used to enjoy like model painting or balcony gardening, or going for outdoor walks more frequently can help make a difference and improve your resilience.
Getting Help Together: Family Therapy
Being in the position of the caregiver also tends to make it easier to ignore the warning signs when we begin to develop our own set of worries, intrusive thoughts, and low episodes.
The connection between a parent’s mental health and the mental health of their child is strong. Psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are prevalent among youths and often co-occur with various psychiatric conditions, complicating treatment and leading to worse outcomes. No matter how much you might try to hide your own negative thoughts, your teen can and does pick up on them. Don’t think that you must be strong enough to handle both your teen’s symptoms and your own. Be a supportive parent, be there for your teen, but seek professional help for yourself as well.
Conclusion
OCD is a treatable condition, and with the right treatment and support, teenagers can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their mental health. If you suspect that your teenager may be experiencing OCD symptoms, it is essential to seek professional help from a mental health expert. By understanding OCD in teenagers, recognizing symptoms, and managing triggers and symptoms, we can help teenagers overcome this challenging condition and live a healthier, happier life.
