Recognizing Adolescent OCD
OCD starts during childhood or the teen years. Symptoms of OCD may come, go and be better or worse at different times.
- Obsessions
- Repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt or intruders; violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly neat.
- Compulsions
- Do the same rituals repeatedly such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items or repeating the same steps repeatedly.
- Have unwanted thoughts and behaviours they cannot control
- Don't get pleasure from the behaviors or rituals but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause.
- Spend at least an hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life.
Types Of OCD
Approximately one million children and adolescents in the United States suffer from OCD.
Some of the most common obsessions for adolescents:
- Fear of contamination or having a serious illness
- Fixation on lucky/unlucky numbers
- Fear of danger to self and others
- Need for symmetry or exactness
- Excessive doubt
Some of the most common compulsions for adolescents:
- Repetitive rituals such as cleaning or washing
- Touching, counting, repeating, arranging or organizing
- Checking or questioning, and hoarding
Schoolwork, home life, and friendships are often affected.
Links to Additional Online Information
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