When worries and habits take over
A Parent’s Guide to Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders in Teens
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Understand why your teen can’t just “stop” their repetitive behaviors
Learn the difference between a teen’s messy room and a hoarding problem
Move from feeling powerless to knowing the first steps to get them help
As a parent, you notice when a typical teen worry becomes an obsession, or a habit becomes a ritual they can’t stop. It’s distressing to see your child trapped in a cycle of repetitive thoughts or behaviors, whether it’s constant checking, hoarding, skin picking, or an intense fixation on their appearance.
These are not indications of a character flaw; instead, they are often symptoms of treatable health conditions. These resources are designed to provide you with clear, compassionate answers, enabling you to understand what’s happening and find the right help.
Understanding specific conditions
Here are guides to help you recognize and support the challenges your teen is facing.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder in teenagers: For when your teen is stuck in a loop of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feels driven to perform certain actions (compulsions) to find relief.
- Hoarding in children: Learn the difference between a messy room and a real difficulty with letting go of items, and how to help when it becomes a problem.
- Child picking skin until it bleeds: A guide to understanding why stress and anxiety can lead to compulsive skin picking and what you can do to help them stop.
- How to help a teenager with body image issues: For the teen who is intensely focused on perceived flaws in their appearance—a fixation that goes far beyond typical self-consciousness.