Understanding and Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Written By Behaviour Matters

OCD Treatment and Therapy in Toronto

What is OCD?

OCD is a mental disorder in which an individual experiences unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and attempts to reduce these thoughts by engaging in repetitive behaviours (compulsions). Fortunately, there are many effective virtual and in-person treatments and therapies in Toronto that can help children manage the thoughts and behaviours of OCD.

What are Common OCD Symptoms?

Obsessions

These are persistent thoughts, images, or urges that occur frequently and intrusively. They cause an individual distress and anxiety as they are often disturbing and uncontrollable. Common obsessions include:

  • Fear of contamination

  • Doubts (i.e. left door unlocked)

  • Need for symmetry, order and precision

  • Fear of illness or harm occurring to others or oneself

  • Sexual or aggressive impulses

  • Intrusive sounds or words

  • Religious obsessions

  • Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions

Compulsions

These are a reaction to the thoughts. They are repetitive, intentional behaviours or mental acts which an individual engages in to reduce or suppress the obsession. It is common for an individual to engage in multiple compulsions for a thought, and they are not necessarily related to the thoughts. Common compulsions include:

  • Excessive washing or cleaning

  • Checking things repeatedly (i.e. doors, locks)

  • Repeating words/phrases

  • Counting, tapping, touching

  • Arranging and order rituals (i.e. packing, unpacking)

  • Mental rituals (i.e. excessive praying)

How to Support Children with OCD?

  • For communication:

    • Create a signal with the child that you can use when they seem to get stuck in their obsessions to help redirect their focus

    • Reduce the amount of choices offered to the child in order to prevent overwhelming them

  • For compulsions:

    • Provide alternatives for compulsions when possible (i.e. allow the child to use hand sanitizer instead of going to the bathroom to wash their hands; have an individual set of materials for the child so they do not have to share)

  • For emotional regulation:

    • Create a signal with the child that they can use when they feel their symptoms starting to build and need to take a break

OCD Support for Families

For individuals and families in Toronto struggling with OCD, there are a variety of in-person and virtual treatments that may be beneficial, including:

  • Individual or group therapy for OCD

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy

  • Social skills training

  • Emotional regulation training

  • Exposure therapy

  • OCD parent training programs and groups

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