Compulsions are the behavioral response to intrusive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They’re actions people take or thoughts they think to combat their obsessive worries, fears or discomfort. For example, if a person has intrusive thoughts about getting sick because of exposure to germs, they might wash their hands a lot or use excessive amounts of hand sanitizer. The thoughts about getting sick are the “obsessive” part of OCD, and the actions are the compulsions. 

Compulsions play a key role in the cycle of OCD symptoms because they don’t provide lasting relief. Intrusive thoughts always come back, sometimes louder and more upsetting than before. Noticing compulsive behaviors early on can help you ensure that your teen gets the treatment they need to manage their symptoms effectively.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about what compulsions are in the context of OCD and how they can affect a teen’s life.

Understanding compulsions in OCD

Even though they’re intended to make the person feel better, compulsions usually have the opposite effect. They only work for a short period of time before the obsessive thoughts start up again. Compulsions are part of a four-part cycle that people experience with OCD: Obsessions come first, and they cause fear and anxiety. People do compulsive behaviors in response to their feelings, and they experience some temporary relief. When the obsessive thoughts return, the cycle starts over again.

[Quote]Adjusting to life with OCD is a challenge for teens and their families. You don’t have to figure it all out yourself. Mental health care providers can be a great source of guidance for caregivers and family members.

Compulsions are often noticeable repetitive or unusual behaviors — but not always. Sometimes they can be purely mental or thought-based. A person might compulsively count to a certain number in their head, or they might list reasons why they’re not a bad person. Some teens might not recognize that their behaviors are excessive. Others might recognize that their compulsions make them different, so they might feel ashamed and try to hide them. 

Teens who have OCD sometimes use “magical thinking” to interpret what actions they should take. On some level, they want to believe that ritualistic behaviors will influence things that happen in the real world. For example, a teen might need to wear a shirt given to them by a loved one because they’re afraid that person might get hurt. There isn’t always a clear link between the intrusive thoughts and the compulsive behaviors. To others, the person might seem superstitious or irrational.

Common OCD compulsions in teens

OCD symptoms often align with specific themes, but again, this isn’t always the case. Each person’s OCD symptoms and experiences with this condition are unique. A person might only have symptoms in one area, or they might have symptoms in multiple areas. They can also change with time. 

The following are some compulsions that teens who have OCD might experience:

• Washing and cleaning behaviors
• Checking and double-checking (locks, appliances or homework)
• Ordering and arranging
• Mental compulsions (counting, praying, or “undoing” thoughts)
• Reassurance-seeking behaviors
• Avoidance behaviors
• Digital- or technology-related compulsions, such as texting

Impact on a teen’s daily life 

Teens with untreated OCD may spend a lot of time worrying and repeating compulsive behaviors. Doing the compulsions can be its own source of stress. For instance, if a person is worried that they may be wrong about their sexual orientation, they might look up pictures of attractive movie stars of the same sex to see if they get aroused. Facing their fear in this way could be very distressing. Teens may feel a lot of shame and frustration around their symptoms, or they may feel exhausted by them.

OCD usually affects three main areas of a teen’s life: academic performance, family dynamics and social life. Symptoms can slow down daily routines, leading to tardiness at school or loss of sleep. Sometimes they can prevent a teen from doing their schoolwork or participating in class. Compulsive behaviors can become a source of strain with parents and siblings (e.g., at mealtimes or when leaving for school in the morning). There are often social consequences with peers, which can lead to self-isolation.

How parents and caregivers can help 

As a caregiver, you play an important role in your teen’s mental health. If you’ve recognized some compulsive behaviors, you can talk to them about your concerns from a neutral point of view — without judgment. You might say, “I’ve noticed that you seem more anxious than usual, and you have a tapping routine that you do every time we leave the house. Do you want to talk about what’s going on?” Listen to their concerns and try to empathize with them. You might help them learn about OCD and find the answers to some of their questions together. If you believe your teen may have OCD, the next step is to help them seek treatment.

Sometimes family members start to accommodate OCD behaviors at home for the sake of everyday processes like getting to school on time. Parents might go out of their way to avoid things that may be triggering or do things for their teens. Accommodating OCD behaviors only helps fuel the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. During family therapy sessions, your teen’s care providers will help you learn how to get through daily routines without accommodating OCD behaviors.

Find support to help your teen manage their OCD compulsions at Lightfully Teen

Adjusting to life with OCD is a challenge for teens and their families. You don’t have to figure it all out yourself. There are treatments that can help reduce your teen’s symptoms and build up their skills for managing them. Most young people will need a combination of therapy and medication. Mental health care providers can be a great source of guidance for caregivers and family members.

At Lightfully Teen, we provide comprehensive mental health care for the whole person. That means we provide holistic, personalized treatment plans that help young people live full and rewarding lives outside of treatment. Each treatment plan includes family therapy sessions so parents and caregivers can learn how to support their loved one.

Is there a teen in your life who may need help with compulsive behaviors? Let’s talk about what you’re noticing and how we can help. Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.