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“Quit being so OCD!” It’s a phrase your teen has likely heard casually thrown around in hallways, group chats, or even with family in the home, often when doing something that could be considered quirky, such as color-coding their notebooks or lining up their shoes in a particular order.
Although it’s used casually to point out specific habits, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a serious mental health condition that affects about 1 in 200 teens. Understanding whether a teen’s behaviors are personality quirks or potential signs of OCD can get confusing, but online screening tests, quizzes, and symptom checklists can provide helpful insights [1].
These are not formal diagnostic tools but offer parents a starting point for conversations and can encourage them to connect their teens with professional evaluation. Early recognition and support from trained clinicians can make a significant difference, helping teens manage symptoms and regain control over their daily lives.
What Is OCD?
OCD causes intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) that impact school, friendships, and daily life. Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors characterize OCD as an attempt to reduce those thoughts [1].
Teens also typically struggle with feelings of anxiety, shame, isolation, and depression. Some common themes of OCD and typical obsessions/compulsions include:
OCD Theme | Obsession | Compulsion |
Contamination | Your teen may be labeled a “germophobe” and worry excessively about things being dirty or infected. | Wash their hands so much that their skin is raw and cut. |
Harm | Teens with harm OCD often struggle with intense isolation and self-loathing and are afraid to share their thoughts out loud. “What if I stab myself? What if I kill someone?” | Isolate and avoid others, avoid activities they perceive as dangerous, such as cooking, where dangerous objects like knives are present |
Mistakes/Perfectionism | These teens need things to be just right, in perfect order or symmetry, often to meet an internal gut feeling of being “just right”. | Redo homework or rewrite text messages until the tone, formatting, and alignment feel just right. |
Safety | These teens often live in fear that even a small mistake can cause something terrible to happen. “Did I leave my curling iron on?” “Did I leave the stove on?” “What if I burn the house down?” | Excessively and repeatedly checking locks, appliances, doors, lights, and windows to make sure things are safe. |
Superstitious Thinking | “If I don’t do this, then this bad thing will happen”. Teens may avoid doing things they fear could cause harm to others or bring on a disastrous event. Some teens may struggle with this out of fear of sinning or offending god. | Avoid touching certain objects or stepping on certain things out of fear of perceived cause and effect |
Relationship OCD | Constantly question their feelings or the feelings of their partner. They might obsessively think, “What if I don’t truly love my partner?” or “What if they don’t really love me?” | Re-read text messages, ask partner the same questions or for reassurance, replay scenarios in their head |
Are Online OCD Tests for Teens Accurate?
Online OCD tests do not provide a formal diagnosis, but can be a supportive screening tool to help you understand symptoms and patterns in your teen. They are often free, accessible, and can reduce stigma by helping teens answer questions about sometimes taboo topics that present with OCD (intrusive thoughts about self-harm, harming others, sex, etc).
Online tests should never be used to diagnose or treat, but can encourage parents to connect their teen with a professional assessment.
What to Expect In An OCD Evaluation for Your Teen?
Your teen should be evaluated for OCD by a medical professional such as a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed mental health counselor or social worker (depending on state licensing laws).
During an OCD evaluation, the clinician asks questions to both you and your teen related to symptoms and daily functioning. Parents often answer questions about observable signs and daily functioning, while teens describe personal distress, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive urges.
The goal of the evaluation is to help the clinician understand the severity and frequency of symptoms and how they impact daily functioning, relationships, and mental well-being. Treatment providers may also connect with the school or other adults to ensure they have an accurate clinical picture of symptom presentations across settings.
Common Myths About OCD
OCD has become a buzzword across social media, often used as a label for anyone who is more organized, clean, or “quirky” than average. It’s important to understand that OCD is a real disorder that causes distress and functional impairment in the daily lives of teens who suffer from it.
Common statements you may have heard about OCD that can increase stigma and simply aren’t accurate include [2]:
- “He’s just particular/picky.”
- “Everyone is a little OCD.”
- “She’s so clean she has OCD.”
- “Calm down, quit being so OCD.”
What is The Treatment for OCD in Teens?
The gold standard therapy for OCD is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This gradually exposes teens to face thoughts, triggers, and situations that make them anxious while unlearning the paired compulsive behavior [3].
Medication can also be helpful, such as SSRI antidepressants, which can help manage OCD symptoms and make teens more responsive to therapy.
Education and family support are also essential for teaching both teens and their parents about OCD and why compulsive behaviors happen. This helps encourage healthy coping skills in the home, and can encourage teens to track their symptoms, triggers, and progress to celebrate small victories.
Evidence-Based OCD Treatment for Teens in Texas
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health treatment facilities helping teens recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer evidence-based treatments, including CBT, Family Therapy, and medication management, to address the cycle of obsessions and compulsions in teens with OCD.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family.
Sources
[1] International OCD Foundation. 2021. About OCD.
[2] YoungMinds. 2023. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
[3] Haimes, E. M. (2025). Clinician-Reported Person-Centered Culturally Responsive Practices for Youth with OCD and Anxiety. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 12(8), 1034.
Danielle Tucker, LMSW
Danielle Tucker, LMSW, is the Director of Clinical Services at Clearfork Academy. She brings several years of behavioral health leadership experience, including clinical leadership roles at Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Arlington, where she served as Director of Clinical Services and Clinical Lead. Danielle holds a Master of Social Work from Tarleton State University, graduating summa cum laude, and is based in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.
