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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterised by anxiety-provoking thoughts (‘obsessions’), and repetitive or ritual behaviours (‘compulsions’). Find out more about this condition, what help is available and how you can support your child.

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A young Black man sitting on the ground in the park and staring into the camera.

Living with OCD can be exhausting for a child or young person, and for you as their parent or carer. It can be really upsetting to see your child distressed, and at times you might feel like you don’t know how to help. 

But getting a diagnosis and having treatment can make things much better. Over time, it’s possible for your child to understand their experiences and start to feel okay again. 

In this guide, we outline how you can find and access the right help, and ways you can make your child feel supported at home. 

What is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related mental health condition. Young people with OCD experience anxiety-provoking thoughts, called ‘obsessions’. They might also carry out certain behaviours, called ‘compulsions’, to try to cope with these thoughts.  

We all have negative or unwanted thoughts sometimes. But a young person with OCD often feels unable to put their thoughts down or move on from them.  

OCD can also wax and wane – sometimes it might be worse, and then get better. It’s sometimes triggered by periods of stress, like exams.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Obsessions are persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, urges, feelings or doubts that cause anxiety or distress. A young person with OCD may find these thoughts difficult to ignore or move on from, even when they know they do not make sense or do not reflect who they are. 

Everyone’s obsessions are different, but they can include:  

  • fears about something bad happening, like their home burning down or someone they love dying  

  • fears that they might harm someone accidentally, or have already caused harm without realising 

  • fears about contamination from germs, dirt, illness, chemicals or bodily fluids  

  • intrusive violent, sexual or disturbing thoughts or images that feel shocking or upsetting to them  

  • fears about doing something morally wrong, offensive or “bad”  

  • repeated doubts about whether they have done something properly or safely  

  • a strong feeling that things are not “right”, complete or balanced  

  • fears linked to religion, identity, relationships or responsibility  

  • unwanted thoughts that go against their values or personalityhaving a general feeling or sense that something is wrong, or that something bad is going to happen 

Some young people with OCD know their fears are unlikely to happen, while others may feel unsure. Either way, the anxiety and distress they experience can feel very real. 

Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that someone with OCD feels driven to do in response to obsessive thoughts or anxiety. A young person may feel unable to resist them, even if they know they do not really make sense or only help temporarily reduce their anxiety. 

They may use compulsions to try to: 

  • reduce anxiety or distress  

  • feel more certain or reassured  

  • prevent something bad from happening  

  • “neutralise” upsetting thoughts or feelings 

Compulsions are also different for everyone, but can include: 

  • checking things repeatedly – for example that they have locked windows and doors, or turned switches off 

  • mentally reviewing memories – for example to check that they didn’t harm someone in the past  

  • asking other people for reassurance – for example asking people to repeatedly tell them that something bad hasn’t happened  

  • repetitively cleaning or washing – this may be their own body or objects 

  • having endless internal arguments about whether they have done something bad 

  • counting or repeating phrases 

  • arranging objects in specific patterns 

  • avoiding situations, people, places or activities that trigger upsetting thoughts 

Some compulsions are visible to other people, while others happen entirely in the person’s mind. 

Carrying out compulsions may bring brief relief from anxiety. But this doesn’t last for long, and the anxiety often returns. Over time, this can create a cycle where obsessive thoughts lead to compulsions, which then strengthen the OCD further. 

This cycle can have a really big impact on everyday life. OCD can take up large amounts of time and energy, affect sleep, school, relationships and hobbies, and leave a young person feeling anxious, frustrated or exhausted. They might make a young person feel scared, disgusted or ashamed about their thoughts and behaviour. Or like their mind is full of horrible things they can't control.

Myths you might hear about OCD

There are still lots of myths about OCD, and saying someone is ‘being OCD’ is still a common joke about being neat or tidy. Some myths you might hear include:

  • ‘everyone’s a little bit OCD’
  • it’s just about wanting to be organised
  • it’s just about wanting to be clean, or always washing your hands
  • it’s because you’re fussy
  • you can just 'snap out of it’
  • it’s a personality trait that ‘neat’ people have

It’s important to understand that these things are not true. OCD is a mental health condition, and it causes intense anxiety and distress. These myths can create misunderstanding and stigma, making it harder for people to be open and get help.

A parent's experience

My daughter’s OCD was really hard to understand. It started with getting ready. She would repeat the same things (putting on make-up, brushing her hair) again and again until she thought they were perfect. Generally they weren’t perfect and she would have to start again, becoming more and more distressed each time. Nothing we said made any difference. People told me it was a teenage thing and she would grow out of it, but the rituals became longer and more involved, and she started getting up at 5am to fit it all in before leaving for school. One day she was having a health check and the doctor asked about her morning routine. He immediately recognised OCD and referred her for support.

OCD is not just about cleaning or hand-washing (although for some people it is). It can affect eating, getting dressed, or leaving the house. It’s different from the routines that other people have because with OCD, if the person can’t perform the routine it causes them intense anxiety. My daughter told me that when she can’t fulfil her OCD routines it makes her feel like she’s going to die.

How is OCD treated?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines for NHS treatments. They recommend that people experiencing OCD symptoms should have:

  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • medication in some circumstances, and more commonly if they are 18 or older

CBT is a specific type of therapy and is different to more general forms of counselling or talking therapy. It’s recommended because OCD is a specific condition that often needs specialist treatment to get better. 

CBT is a type of talking therapy that focuses on changing the way we think and behave. Over time, a CBT therapist can help your child develop a different relationship with their thoughts and how they feel about them. They can also support them to try out new ways of responding or behaving when they’re experiencing obsessions.  

NICE also recommends that CBT therapy for OCD should include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) techniques. ERP involves purposefully letting obsessive thoughts come up without using compulsions to deal with them. This can help your child realise that they can manage anxiety without using compulsions. 

If your child is under 18, NICE recommends that you, or another parent or carer, should be involved in the CBT so that you can support them with the techniques at home.  

Your child may have online, in-person, group or individual CBT. NICE guidelines state that they should have a choice about which they would feel most comfortable with. 

CBT can be really effective in treating OCD, but it may take a number of sessions before you see an improvement. The main work is done between the therapy sessions, where the young person practices the strategies at home. 

If your child is 18 or older, they might be offered medication alongside CBT. This will depend on the severity of the symptoms they are experiencing. 

If your child is under 18, they will usually only be offered medication if they feel unable to do CBT or if it hasn’t helped. Medication should only be offered if there are arrangements for a doctor to monitor its effects.  

Guide to medication

Getting help and treatment for OCD

If your young person's day-to-day life is being negatively affected by anxiety, thoughts or compulsions, you should get professional advice. You don’t need to be sure that it's OCD before you speak to someone. Getting help early can mean that it's much easier to change things, so it’s important to speak to a professional as soon as you’re concerned.   

It’s also important to note that OCD and autism can sometimes look similar. Some autistic children and young people have routines or repetitive behaviours that resemble OCD, and some experience both conditions. This can make assessment more complex, particularly if a young person's difficulties change over time or become increasingly linked to anxiety and distress.  

If professionals think autism or OCD may be involved, they will consider both when assessing your child. When a young person is autistic and has OCD, treatment can still be very effective, but it may need to be adapted to suit their needs. 

Making a GP appointment

A good first step is to make an appointment with a GP (link).  

This might feel difficult for your child if they’re feeling ashamed about their thoughts and behaviour. Reassure them that things can get better if they take this step. If your child doesn’t want to see a GP, you can find our tips for what to do below. 

If you’re going to the GP appointment, make a list of the things you want to tell the doctor. Try to include examples of the thoughts or behaviours you have noticed. The more honest and specific you and your child can be, the easier it will be to get the right help.  

Before the appointment, it can help to write down: 

  • the thoughts, fears or behaviours your child is experiencing  

  • how often they happen  

  • how long they take  

  • how they are affecting everyday life, such as school, sleep, friendships or family life  

  • anything your child is avoiding because of anxiety. 

OCD-UK has a helpful form that your child can use during the appointment. This covers what they’re experiencing, the impact it’s having on them and the support they’d like to receive.   

Getting support from the GP

Getting specialist treatment through the NHS

Your child or young person will usually first be referred to a local NHS mental health service. This may be CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) if they are under 18, or an adult mental health service if they are older. 

You can ask whether the service has a professional with experience treating OCD. This may not be possible in every area, but it is still worth asking. If you are concerned that the recommended treatment is not being offered, you can ask the service about the NICE guidelines for OCD treatment. 

If symptoms remain severe, complex or difficult to treat, NICE recommends that people should be able to access a specialist OCD service. Your child’s mental health team or GP can discuss whether a referral to a specialist clinic would be appropriate. 

Sometimes it might take a while for your child to be seen due to waiting lists. Whilst you’re waiting for treatment, there are things that you and your young person can do to try and improve things, which you can read about below.  

  • The GP can make a referral to the NHS mental health service for children and young people, called CAMHS or CYPMHS. CAMHS can do an assessment and provide treatment. 

  • Each CAMHS is a local service run by a local team in your area. This means that the way your child accesses support depends on where you live. Waiting times are also different around the country. 

  • Some CAMHS don’t need a GP referral and may accept a referral from your child, you, or from a professional like a teacher, youth worker or social worker. Go to your local CAMHS website or call them to find out how referrals work where you live. If you can’t find their contact details, get them from your GP surgery. 

  • The GP can make a referral to local adult mental health services. This service can do an assessment and provide treatment.  

  • Depending on the severity of what your child is experiencing, the GP may also discuss medication options. Medication should usually be offered alongside CBT rather than by itself.

  • Adults in many areas of England can also refer themselves directly for CBT. You can find your local NHS Talking Therapies service here.  

  • If your child lives in another part of the UK, they may still be able to self-refer to their local service. Ask your GP or another professional if this is possible in your area. 

Accessing private support

If it’s an affordable option, you might be thinking of accessing private support. This might be so that your child doesn’t have to wait for NHS treatment, or so they can get some help while they’re on the waiting list for NHS treatment.

If your child would like to try CBT privately, you can find accredited CBT therapists through BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies). It’s important to make sure they find a therapist who has experience supporting people with OCD.

If your child is developing routines and rituals and you suspect it may be OCD, get a diagnosis as early as possible and ask for a referral to specialist OCD support. Routines can become entrenched very quickly. However, there is treatment and support which can really help.
A parent

A parent’s experience

OCD rituals can be very hard to deal with on a practical level as well as an emotional one. My son spent so long showering that he was late for school every single morning. Whenever we tried to hurry or interrupt him we just made things worse as he became more anxious and had to start the rituals again. 

However frustrating your child’s compulsions might be, try to remember they are born out of anxiety and distress, not choice. 

A parent’s experience

OCD needs to be treated with kindness. Remember your child doesn’t want this, they are not choosing it. It is their reaction to a situation that makes them feel anxious, and the OCD behaviours help them to feel calmer. 

Sometimes as a parent, you can feel upset by the repeated routines and compulsions. If this is happening, then walk away and get some support for yourself. It’s a not a choice, it’s an illness. There is treatment that can help, but it does take time. 

How can I help my child with OCD at home?

It’s important to remember that you can’t treat your young person’s OCD by yourself at home. OCD is a complex condition, and treating it is the job of a professional. If you’re concerned, it’s important to make an appointment with the GP. 

But there are things you can do to support your child, and to feel more informed and confident yourself. 

  • OCD can feel overwhelming. Understanding how the condition works, and how it can get better, can help you feel more confident about managing things. Here are some places to start: 

  • OCD-UK and OCD-Action have lots of useful information and advice on their website. 

  • It might help to have a look for books and articles written by other parents. For example in Parenting OCD, Claire Sanders shares her story of supporting her son, and the tips she’s learned along the way.  

Let your child know that you’re there for them, and try to focus on listening and understanding their experience. Try to remember as you go that they may feel ashamed about their thoughts. You could say, ‘I’ve noticed that things seem really difficult, can you tell me what it’s like for you at the moment?’. 

Empathise with how distressing it must be to have these thoughts and to feel so anxious. You can find more tips on listening to your child here (link to blog). 

Sometimes this could be offering a distraction like going for a walk or doing something creative together. At other times, it might be listening and providing emotional support. Your child can use OCD-UK’s booklet to let you know what kind of help they’d like from you, and you can use their parent booklet to support you to respond.  

Some young people say they find it easier to agree a code word with their parent or carer. They can then say or text this word to them when they’re struggling with their thoughts and compulsions. This means they don’t need to voice what’s going on aloud, but can still alert you to the fact that they need support. 

Your child can also use OCD-UK’s booklet, in which they can write down the thoughts they’re having and circle the types of support they’d like from you. 

  • egularly doing activities that help them feel relaxed and soothed can help. Find out what works for them. It could be things like: 

 

  • colouring or drawing while listening to music or podcasts 

  • mindfulness and breathing exercises, or meditation  

  • doing exercise like running, walking, playing sport or yoga 

  • finding ways to wind down in the evening  

  • doing activities that give them something to do with their hands, such as doodling, sewing, knitting or making something 

You can also help your child do the daily things that support wellbeing. These include getting enough sleep, eating regular meals, doing some exercise and spending quality time with friends and family. They might sound simple, but they do have an effect on our mood.  

When you’re stuck in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, it can feel like there’s no way out. Let your child know that getting the right professional support can make a huge difference and that, with help, it won’t be like this forever.    

Your child or young person’s thoughts might sometimes feel shocking to hear about. If your child is experiencing violent or sexual thoughts, or worrying about harming someone, remember that people with OCD are very unlikely to act on their thoughts.

Lots of young people say their intrusive thoughts are the opposite of who they are. Worrying constantly about these things can show just how much they don’t want to cause harm to other people. 

Some of your child’s thoughts and behaviours might be challenging for you to deal with. It might feel like they’re negatively affecting your relationship with your child, or your wider family life and routines.

Try to remember that this cycle is exhausting for your child too. They can’t turn off their thoughts or immediately stop doing the compulsions, even if they want to. Learning to manage OCD will be a gradual process and things won’t get fixed straightaway. But with the right support, it can get so much better.  

Get support from OCD-UK

  • OCD-UK provides information, advice and support for people with OCD.

    You can access this support by visiting their website or by emailing parents@ocduk.org.

    You can also join a regular support group for family and carers.

    Your child can join a regular support group if they are aged 18 or over. OCD-UK sometimes run groups for under 18s too – check their website for details.

Find information and advice with OCD-UK

Get support from OCD-Action

  • OCD Action offers services and support for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

    You or your child can get information and support by visiting their website, by calling their helpline on 0300 636 5478 or by emailing support@ocdaction.org.uk.

    You or your child can join regular support groups. These include a group for parents and carers to share experiences, and a regular group for young people aged 16-20.

Find information and advice with OCD Action

You might also find helpful...

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

  • OCD-UK

    OCD-UK provides information, advice and support for people with OCD.

    You can access this support by visiting their website or by emailing parents@ocduk.org.

    You can also join a regular support group for family and carers.

    Your child can join a regular support group if they are aged 18 or over. OCD-UK sometimes run groups for under 18s too – check their website for details.

    OCD-UK

  • OCD Action

    Offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

    Website provides information and advice to help you access treatment. 

    Opening times:
    9:30am - 8pm, Monday - Friday
    OCD Action

  • YoungMinds Parents Helpline

    We support parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. We can provide detailed information and advice, emotional support and signposting.

    You can speak to us over the phone or chat to us online. When we’re closed, you can still leave us a message and we'll get back to you in 3-5 working days.

    Opening times:
    9.30am-4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9.30am-6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
    Parents Helpline

  • No Panic

    Supports people struggling with panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related issues - and provides support and information for their carers.

    Call 01952 680835 for a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack (available 24/7).

    Read information about call costs.

    Opening times:
    10am - 10pm, 365 days a year
    No Panic

  • Childline

    If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.

    Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.

    Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.

    Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.

    Opening times:
    24/7
    Childline
Patient Information Forum Trusted Information Creator (PIF TICK) logo

This page was reviewed in May 2026.

It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with OCD. 

We will next review the page in 2029.

YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK – the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

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This form is not a mental health support service. We cannot reply to this. If you or your child are at immediate risk of harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E. If you are worried about your child’s mental health, call our Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544, from 9.30am - 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 9.30am - 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you are struggling with your own mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123.

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