Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Children and Adults

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), formerly considered a type of anxiety disorder, is now regarded as unique condition. It’s a potentially disabling illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. People with OCD are plagued by a recurring and distressing thoughts, fears, or images (obsessions) they cannot control. The anxiety (nervousness) produced by these thoughts leads to an urgent need to perform certain rituals or routines (compulsions). The compulsive rituals are usually performed in an attempt to prevent the obsessive thoughts or make them go away.  

Although the ritual may temporarily alleviate anxiety, the person must perform the ritual one more time when the obsessive thoughts come back. This OCD cycle progresses to the point of taking up hours of the person’s day and significantly interfering with normal activities. People with OCD may aware that their obsessions and compulsions are senseless or unrealistic, but they can’t stop them.


Understanding about OCD Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are involuntary, seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, images, or impulses that occur repeatedly on your mind. You do not want to have these ideas but you can’t stop them. It’s unfortunate that these obsessive thoughts are often disturbing and distracting.  

Compulsions are behaviors or rituals that you feel driven to act out repeatedly. Usually, compulsions are performed in an attempt to make obsessions to go away. For example, if you are afraid of contamination, you might develop an elaborate cleaning rituals. However, the relief won’t lasts. In fact, the obsessive thoughts usually come back stronger. And the compulsive behaviors are often end up causing anxiety themselves as they become more demanding and time-consuming.  

Most people with OCD falls into one of the following categories:

  • Washers are afraid of contamination. They usually have a cleaning or hand-washing compulsions. 
  • Checkers repeatedly check on things like (oven turned off, door is locked, etc.) that they associate with harm or danger.
  • Sinners and doubters are afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done just right something terrible will happen or they will be punished.
  • Counters and arrangers are obsessed with order and symmetry. They may have a superstitions about certain numbers, colors, and arrangements.
  • Hoarders fear that something bad will happen if they throw away anything. They compulsively hoard things that they don’t need or use.

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

OCD sometimes runs in families, but no one knows for sure why some people have it while others don’t. Researchers found that the several parts of the brain are involved in fear and anxiety. To learn more about fear and anxiety in the brain, scientists may be able to create the better treatments. Researchers are also looking for ways in which stress and environmental factors may play a role. 

What Are the Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:?

The symptoms of OCD, which are the obsessions and compulsions, may vary. Common obsessions includes:

  • Fear of dirt or contamination by germs
  • Fear of causing harm to another
  • Fear of making a mistake
  • Fear of being embarrassed or behaves in a socially unacceptable manner
  • Fear of thinking a sinful or evil thoughts
  • Need for order, symmetry, or exactness
  • Excessive doubt and the need for a constant reassurance
  • Common compulsions include:
  • Repeatedly bathing, showering, or washing hands
  • Refusing to shake hands or touch on doorknobs
  • Repeatedly checking things, such as locks or stoves
  • Constant counting, mentally or aloud, while performing a routine tasks
  • Constantly arranging the things in a certain way
  • Eating foods in a specific order
  • Being stuck on words, thoughts or images, usually disturbing, that won’t go away and can interfere with sleep
  • Repeating specific phrases, words, prayers
  • Needing to perform tasks in a certain number of times
  • Collecting or hoarding items that has no value

Treatments of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

OCD is generally treated with a medication, psychotherapy, or both.  

  • Psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy is especially useful for treating OCD. It teaches a person in different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to the situations that help him or her feel less anxious or fearful without having obsessive thoughts or acting compulsively. One type of therapy that called exposure and response prevention is especially helpful in reducing compulsive behaviors in OCD. 
  • Medication. Doctors also may prescribe medication to help treat OCD. Most commonly prescribed medications for OCD are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. 

Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they’re also particularly helpful for OCD, probably more so than the anti-anxiety medications. They may take on several weeks 10 to 12 weeks for some to start working. Some of these medications may cause an side effects such as headache, nausea, or sleeping difficulty. The side effects are usually not a problem for most people, especially if a dose starts off low and slowly increased over time. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you may have.

Anti-anxiety medications are powerful and there are different types. Many types begins working right away, but they generally shouldn’t be taken for long periods.  

It’s important to know that although antidepressants can be safe and effective for many people, they may be risky for some, especially for children, teens, and young adults. A “black box”—the most serious type of warning that a prescription drug can have has been added to the labels of antidepressant medications. These labels will warn people that antidepressants may cause some people to have suicidal thoughts or attempting a suicide. Anyone taking antidepressants should be monitored closely, especially when they first start the treatment with medications.  

Some people with OCD do better with cognitive behavior therapy, especially in exposure and response prevention. Others will do better with medication. While others do best with a combination of the two. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.  

OCD usually responds well to treatment with certain medications and/or exposure-based psychotherapy, in which people face the situations that causes fear or anxiety and become less sensitive (desensitized) to them. NIMH is a supporting research into new treatment approaches for people whose OCD does not respond well to the usual therapies. These approaches includes combination and augmentation (add-on) treatments, as well as modern techniques, such as a deep brain stimulation.  

What happens if Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not treated? 

Without treatment, the symptoms of OCD can progress to the point that the sufferer’s life becomes consumed, inhibiting their ability to attend the school, keeping a job, and/or maintain important relationships. Many people with OCD have thoughts about killing themselves, and about 1% complete suicide. 

In terms of the prognosis for the specific symptoms, it’s rare for any to progress to a physically debilitating level. However, problems like a compulsive hand washing can eventually cause complications like the skin becoming dry and even breaking down. Repeated trichotillomania results in unsightly scabs on the person’s scalp. 

Self-help tip 1: Challenge OCD

Refocus your attention




Write down your obsessive thoughts or worries


  • Keep writing as the OCD urges continue, aiming to record exactly what you’re thinking, even if you’re repeating the same phrases or the same urges over and over.

Anticipate OCD urges



Create an OCD worry period




Create a tape of your OCD obsessions




Self-help for OCD tip 2: Take care of yourself

Practice relaxation techniques



Adopt healthy eating habits


  • Exercise regularly

Avoid alcohol and nicotine


Get enough sleep


Self-help for OCD tip 3: Reach out for support


Stay connected to family and friends


Join an OCD support group


Helping a loved one with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)


Tips for helping a family member or friend with OCD


  • Criticism or negative comments can make OCD worse, while a calm, supportive environment can help improve the outcome of treatment. Focus on the sufferer’s positive qualities and avoid making personal criticisms.