Teenage OCD Assessment and Treatment | In London and Online
A quick introduction to OCD in children and adolescents
OCD can have a significant impact on your child or teenager’s life. But thanks to our three-step process, they will:
- Get the right diagnosis and a holistic treatment plan tailored to their needs.
- Receive the most effective treatment and medication for the OCD symptoms restricting their life.
- Enjoy improved social skills, academic trajectory, and concentration, as well as relief from intense bouts of anxiety and distress.
What is OCD?
Today, we hear the term OCD being casually used to indicate someone fixating on a certain task or aspect of their life. But what does it actually mean to have OCD?
Meet our child OCD specialists
Our London-based OCD specialists have decades of combined experience in diagnosing and treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in children. They are dedicated to keeping up with the latest developments in psychiatry and deliver the best care for your child — because we know that the right treatment combination can be truly transformative.
What are the symptoms?
OCD in children presents itself in different ways and the symptoms differ from child-to-child. Find out how to recognise the most common OCD symptoms in children.
How is OCD treated?
OCD in children can be treated with a combination of behavioural therapy or medication. At Psymplicity Healthcare, we adopt a holistic approach that puts your child’s well being first. We’ll develop a tailored plan that takes circumstances, medical history, and any underlying conditions into account, prescribing treatment that helps to ensure a balanced life, without causing further disruptions.
What is childhood OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a treatable form of anxiety affecting adults, teenagers and children. Teenagers and children with OCD experience intrusive thoughts — such as the irrational fear of germs, or worrying that they are in sudden danger.
To counter these intrusive thoughts, people who suffer with OCD develop compulsions as a coping mechanism for the anxiety they feel. A child can exhibit a vast range of behaviours as they continue to develop. Not being able to express their feelings in the same way as adults can make it particularly difficult for parents to recognise the signs of a condition like OCD. If you have noticed symptoms that match or are similar to these, our team of London-based OCD specialists can provide a professional assessment, in person or online, and finally give you the answers you need.
OCD is among the most common mental health issues experienced by children and teenagers. If left untreated, it can have a dramatic impact on crucial aspects of their life, such as their relationships with family and friends, or academic performance.
At Psymplicity, we follow a client-focused approach that puts our patient’s mental wellbeing above all else. Our entire CAMHS team, in particular our OCD therapists in London, will provide the personalised care and attention your child needs as well as ongoing support for the whole family. Following a comprehensive assessment, they will develop a bespoke treatment plan that will help your child to manage the condition effectively. OCD can be challenging to live with, but with our help, your child can overcome any limitations caused by their condition and improve their overall quality of life.
What are the symptoms of OCD in children and teenagers?
Although the symptoms of OCD can occur at any time, they typically appear for the first time in children who are 10-12 years old. OCD in children can manifest itself in a variety of ways, depending on the severity of symptoms and the impact they have on your child’s life. The intrusive thoughts caused by OCD create a compulsion in the child to deal with it in different ways to that of an adult with OCD. While an adult would obsessively clean which they think is covered in germs, a child may avoid interacting with surfaces and toys because they are too scared.
Below, you can find a list of the most common symptoms associated with OCD in children.
Do they obsess about:
- Contamination from dirty things and germs
- Getting sick
- Performing perfectly when undertaking school activities and hobbies
- Their own safety, as well as their family’s
- Strict adherence to rules - children with OCD often get extremely upset if rules are broken or when their perception of ‘normal’ is hindered
- Disturbing thoughts or images
Do they carry out repetitive actions, such as:
- Excessively cleaning and arranging things
- Balancing things until they are perfect due to an extreme need for symmetry
- Asking repetitive questions about the same issues, especially when it comes to safety
- Needing frequent reassurance
- Apologising excessively for minor issues or mistakes
- Clinging to superstitions
- Repeatedly checking and counting things
In addition to these frequently-experienced symptoms, childhood OCD can manifest in the form of environment-specific symptoms. For example, at school, they may avoid other children or playgrounds due to a fear of contamination, ritualistically count/organise their belongings or have a desperate need for reassurance from teachers. For children, the various symptoms of OCD can be a huge burden and have a direct impact on their relationships, education, and overall quality of life.
At Psymplicity Healthcare, we understand, and we’re here to help. Following a thorough assessment of your child’s symptoms, we’ll be able to provide the right diagnosis. Then, they will work with your child to help them, and the rest of the family, manage the distressing thoughts and frustrating compulsions affecting their life. We’re not only here to listen and understand; we’re here to help.
Find out more about the symptoms of OCD in children and how to spot them, learn more about the benefits of CBT and lots more in the child OCD section of our blog.
Jeremy Beiders story
The story that sees me start on my journey to a career in the field of mental health takes place
