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Clinical resource

Teenage OCD Symptoms

In case you are unable to identify any negative behavioral and habitual changes, look for other OCD teenage symptoms such as:

Written by THE BALANCE

Clinically reviewed byDr. Sarah Boss, MD
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Quick Summary

  • Teenage OCD involves recurring intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that can disrupt school, relationships, social functioning, and everyday activities.
  • Possible signs include rigid routines, repeated checking or cleaning, counting patterns, reassurance seeking, difficulty tolerating uncertainty, isolation, and declining performance.
  • Professional evaluation can guide personalized care, which may include cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention, habit reversal training, medication, or imaginal exposure.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder refers to a pattern of recurring and uncontrollable thoughts, which lead to repetitive actions or behaviors. Contrary to widespread assumption, it can affect people of all ages, including adolescents. The disorder can worsen in teenagers due to preexisting challenges in their social and familial life and uncertainties in their moral, sexual, and gender identities. Due to OCD, adolescents can find it harder to concentrate in school, socialize, and perform daily activities. Over time, it may cause serious issues, including relationship problems, physical health conditions, and suicidal thoughts. Therefore, looking for professional help and joining a rehabilitation center for treatment is better.

It is a common misconception that OCD in younger age groups is mild and easily controllable. If you think you or someone you know may have the disorder, consulting healthcare is mandatory. Adolescents may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms and behaviors without treatment, including using drugs or drinking alcohol. At rehab, you may get various treatment options that can assist in controlling OCD symptoms and associated issues. This article provides information on how to recognize obsessive-compulsive disorder, its signs, and treatment programs.

 OCD treatment in all age groups depends on different factors, including severity, underlying issues, and mental health status. Usually, you will have to undergo a medical evaluation performed by licensed professionals. Your doctor will provide appropriate options to control your disorder based on your evaluation. The same procedure is followed at rehabs to design a customized plan tailored to the patient’s needs. The program will also include treatment for any other mental health issues diagnosed through the evaluation. Since adolescents with OCD also tend to have other problems, personalized plans are ideal.

Typically, a customized plan for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in teenagers includes one or more of the following:

Psychotherapy

Different forms of psychotherapy can help a teen with OCD control recurring thoughts and stop them from acting on them. One particular form, known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), includes a component known as exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP works by slowly exposing a patient to fear or an obsession so they can learn to resist and control their urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. For instance, some teenagers with OCD fear dirt and germs or are obsessed with cleaning and hygiene. As a result, they consistently wash their hands or take showers even if it negatively impacts their skin health or causes problems like blisters and dermatitis.

In ERP, a patient with a fear of dirt is gradually exposed to it multiple times under the supervision of a specialist. Over time, the specialist helps the patient develop control mechanisms that can keep him from acting out on his compulsive rituals. Although CBT takes consistent effort and time to work, it can significantly improve the quality of life in adolescents with OCD.

Habitat Reversal Training

In habitat reversal training, a specialist helps you understand your triggers, develop competing responses, and practice relaxation techniques. Through this training, you can resist compulsive thoughts and behaviors by identifying them before or while they occur and taking steps to stop them. This training method takes several weeks of effort and diligent practice but has long-term effects that can be particularly beneficial to adolescents. It is common to combine habitat reversal training with other therapies at a rehab for faster results.

Medication 

Psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, can aid in managing symptoms of OCD, specifically in patients with other mental health disorders. Depending on your initial medical evaluation, your healthcare provider may simultaneously prescribe more than one medicine. Additionally, your medication may change after a specific period depending on your results, overall health, and associated effects.

Imaginal Exposure Therapy

Imaginal Exposure Therapy (IET) is an alternative to exposure and response prevention therapy for patients with severe anxiety. Teenagers unable to jump into real-life situations that trigger their fears may join IET, which may treat the disease via visualization. In IET, a doctor may ask you to imagine an anxiety-inducing situation so that you may learn management techniques without experiencing the problem in real life. Visualization over time can desensitize a person to the fear and make him more willing to move on to other therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy or habitat reversal training.

As mentioned before, many think the obsessive-compulsive disorder is limited to older age groups. As a result, it is widely neglected in adolescents, especially since its symptoms do not appear all at once. If you think you, a friend, or a loved one has OCD, you must watch out for specific signs. The disorder usually begins with seemingly normal behaviors such as staying clean or arranging things. Over time, these behaviors can worsen, and the affected person may continue engaging in them despite knowing they are harmful.

One way to spot the development of OCD in teens is to note any change in their behavior following any adverse event in their lives, including a personal crisis or the death of a loved one. Even if the difference appears positive, keep checking to ensure the person is not developing a fear or obsession. In case you are unable to identify any negative behavioral and habitual changes, look for other OCD teenage symptoms such as:

  • Difficulty tolerating uncertainty
  • Inability to socially function
  • Repetition of words, phrases, or prayers
  • A compulsion to arrange things in the same way
  • Counting in certain patterns
  • Consistent urges to check door locks, stove, switches, and other utensils/machines
  • Isolation to avoid germs, dirt, and pollution
  • Strict routines
  • The consistent need for reassurance
  • Obsessively cleaning or washing
  • Poor work and school performance
  • Problems in developing and maintaining relationships and friendships

In addition to these signs, a teenager with OCD may acquire other conditions, including:

  • Blisters and skin damage
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse
  • Depression
  • Suicide ideation and self-harm

If you have any signs mentioned above, look for rehabilitation centers and seek help immediately to avoid further complications. On the other hand, if a friend or loved one is displaying such symptoms, try to discuss their issue with them and urge them to get therapy for their excellent.

YOU MAY FIND THESE HELPFUL

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Depression

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do rehabs charge for OCD?
The cost of OCD treatment at a rehabilitation center may vary from one case to another. For instance, your treatment cost may be higher if you have severe OCD and require an intensive inpatient treatment plan that includes multiple therapies. Also, the price can differ depending on the rehab type and location. Luxury rehabs far from your locality are usually more expensive than standard treatment centers due to the facilities offered. Make sure to keep all these factors in mind and pick a certified and affordable rehab. Remember that your priority is to recover or help your loved one to recover from OCD.
Can you grow out of OCD?
OCD is a mental health disorder that requires medical intervention regardless of the affected person’s age. It does not go away on its own with time and tends to worsen. Also, it cannot be treated at home in most cases without professional help. If you are displaying signs of the disorder, talk to a licensed healthcare provider and join a rehab. Do not attempt to put yourself at risk by trying to self-medicate or put yourself in situations that may lead to dangerous consequences.
How to help a teenager with OCD?
OCD in teenagers is more complicated and challenging to control than in adults, which is why getting help on time is essential. If you want to help your friend or a loved one struggling with OCD, try to discuss their issue, express your concern for them, and convince them to join a rehab. If your loved one is already in therapy, make sure you show consistent support and remind them that you are there if they need anything. Some other ways you can assist a teenager in managing OCD are:
Finding a support group to help them can connect with others who have similar issues and learn from their experiences
Accompanying them to therapy so that they are consistent and do not miss their sessions
Listening to their problems
Finding a therapist-approved everyday activity that aids in managing symptoms
Helping them maintain a healthy lifestyle by consuming a balanced diet and exercising
Can you have visitors in rehab?
The visitation policy is different in each rehab and may depend on the patient’s condition and treatment results. Although some centers may have less strict rules for teenagers, visitors may not be able to see their loved ones and friends for a long time in case of severe cases. You may request more about the visitation policy of a particular rehab via their contact information online or visit in person. Make sure to ask before joining a center to avoid any problems in the future.

Editorial evidence

Evidence & sources

Selected clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed research, and public-health sources used in this article.

01MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.View source
02U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications.View source
03Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). National Helpline.View source
View all 17 sourcesShow fewer sources
04National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Substance use and mental health.View source
05Cochrane. (2021). Psychological therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.View source
06National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. National Institute of Mental Health.View source
07American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.View source
08American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? American Psychiatric Association.View source
09National Health Service. (n.d.). Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). National Health Service.View source
10National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: Treatment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.View source
11Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). What is substance use disorder? Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.View source
12Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.View source
13National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Comorbidity: Substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. National Institute on Drug Abuse.View source
14Cochrane Library. (2020). Psychological therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cochrane Library.View source
15American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What are obsessive-compulsive and related disorders?View source
16National Health Service. (n.d.). Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).View source
17Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).View source
What this includes
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Clinical context

Clear information is framed around complex and co-occurring presentations.

02

Individual factors

Assessment remains essential because needs and risks differ from person to person.

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Jil MooreClient Relations Director
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Cynthia NakhleAdmissions Manager

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