Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects around 1–4% of children and young people. In fact it is the 6^th most common mental health disorder in children and young people and many go undiagnosed, hiding their struggles due to fear or shame.

OCD can have a huge impact on daily life, not just for the young person, but for their whole family. It can take over routines, make mornings and bedtimes difficult, and leave everyone feeling exhausted and unsure how to help.

Many adults with OCD say their symptoms began in childhood. Without treatment, OCD often continues into adulthood. ButOCD is very treatable and with evidence-based therapy, young people can learn how to take back control.

What is OCD?

OCD is an anxiety-related mental health condition made up of two parts:

Obsessions
These are intrusive thoughts, images, urges or doubts that feel distressing and difficult to ignore.

Compulsions
These are behaviours or mental rituals a person feels they must do to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession. Compulsions might help briefly — but the relief never lasts. The anxiety returns, and the urge to repeat the behaviour gets stronger. Over time, this creates a cycle that can be very hard to break without support.

Common OCD Experiences

Obsessions can include worries such as:

• Something bad happening to someone you love
• Accidentally harming someone
• Contamination from germs or chemicals
• Intrusive violent or sexual thoughts
• Doubts about identity or important decisions
• A strong sense that something is “not right”

These thoughts can feel frightening or shameful but having a thought does not mean you agree with it and is definitely not the same as acting on it.

Compulsions might include:

• Repeated checking (doors, appliances, memories)
• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Asking others for reassurance
• Counting, repeating words or phrases
• Arranging things in specific ways
• Avoiding places, people or situations
• Mental rituals, such as arguing with thoughts

Some compulsions are visible. Others happen entirely inside the mind.

When OCD Starts Affecting Daily Life

Families often reach out for help when OCD begins to interfere with everyday life — for example:

• Getting to school on time
• Completing homework
• Sleeping or eating normally
• Spending time with friends
• Managing everyday routines independently

Parents often describe feeling stuck between wanting to help their child and not knowing how. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone and support can make a real difference.

Effective Treatment for OCD

The recommended treatment for OCD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This approach is recommended by NICE guidelines in the UK.

ERP works by helping young people gradually face the situations or thoughts that trigger anxiety, while learning not to perform the compulsions. Step by step, their brain learns that the anxiety will pass on its own.

It’s a structured and supportive process and it works. Research shows around 70–80% of young people experience significant improvement with CBT for OCD.

In my work as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for adolescents and young adults, I use CBT with ERP in a way that feels collaborative, supportive and paced for the young person. I also work closely with parents so you understand how to support recovery at home too.

Living with OCD can feel overwhelming. But with the right support, young people can learn that they are stronger than the OCD and life can open up again.