How To Help A Teenager With OCD

It’s no secret that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a delicate condition that affects people of all ages, including teenagers. If you’re the parent of a teenager struggling with OCD, it’s crucial to support them. However, we don’t always know how. 

If you’re currently experiencing this and don’t know how to help a teenager with OCD, here are some suggestions that will help.

Don’t Provide Reassurance

One of the most common mistakes parents makes when their son or daughter has OCD is providing excessive reassurance, thinking this will make them feel calmer. This is far from the case and tends to worsen their condition.

Providing reassurance can lead to the belief that their compulsions are important, making them feel more anxious long-term. Instead, seek the help of a professional to learn how you can prevent excessive reassurance seeking. The aim here is to reduce harm and distress for your child.

Enhance Their Motivation

If you don’t know how to help a teenager with OCD, begin by giving them a boost in motivation. A great way to do this is by praising small accomplishments. This will make them feel good and motivate them to keep working towards recovery.

Also, encourage them to speak with a professional that can help. Often, teenagers will refuse because of the stigma of being diagnosed with a mental illness. Explain how these visits will help them and reassure them that you’ll practice discretion in the matter.

Further, many teenagers refuse to get treated because they believe the medication will make them feel worse. Not all treatments require a prescription. Take Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for instance. This method will teach your teenager techniques on how to challenge problem behaviours as well as thinking patterns.

Respect Their Privacy

One of the most frustrating parts for a parent is watching their kids’ refusal to explain their symptoms or talk about their OCD. However, you must respect their privacy. Remember that they’re teenagers and can feel embarrassed about their condition at this age.

What you can do is accept that they’re not willing to talk about their symptoms with you (at least not at this moment). Instead, provide a supportive environment that doesn’t make them feel judged. Doing so will encourage them to speak to you when they’re ready.

You could also suggest that they speak with a therapist if they’re not comfortable speaking to you. Explain that therapists will keep their conversations private and won’t share any details with you unless they give them permission. While this may be frustrating for you as the parent, understand that it’s in your childs best interest.

Final Thoughts

If your child has been diagnosed with OCD, the above tips offer great ways to help. Don’t provide excessive reassurance. Instead, motivate them and praise their small accomplishments. Above everything else, respect their privacy. Otherwise, they may start to feel resentment towards you.

Along with these tips, seeking the help of a professional is a great way to help your teenager. Best of luck!

OCD & CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for OCD disorders. This type of therapy teaches you how to modify the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to your condition. It also helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Access CBT offer CBT treatment for all types of depressive and anxiety disorder issues with in-person depression CBT Counselling in Liverpool or Online Support

The NHS UK also offers a number of support groups and advice for those suffering from OCD disorders