--- title: OCD url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd.md' date: '2026-10-15' description: "Understanding OCD in Children Many people think OCD is just about washing, checking, or cleaning—the repetitive behaviours we can see, called compulsions or rituals. But what we cannot see are the intrusive thoughts, called obsessions. These are like a bully in the child's head, nagging that harm will come to them or their loved ones unless they complete the compulsions. Kitty and her husband Daniel co-founded Nip in the Bud after their daughter spent years worrying about harm coming to herself and others in primary school. She wasn't diagnosed with OCD until she was 16. Today, their daughter is happily married with a lovely child and a successful career, but the OCD continues to affect her life. If there had been more information about OCD in those days and it had been nipped in the bud when she was nine years old, the condition would not have become so entrenched.Nip in the Bud strongly believes that early intervention and support for children ensures far better outcomes. These resources are here to help you recognise and support children with OCD." --- # OCD ### Filter by type: - [ Video ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd?type=Video) - [ Guide ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd?type=Guide) - [ Article ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd?type=Article) - [ Factsheet ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd?type=Factsheet) - [ Podcast ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd?type=Podcast) - [ All ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/video-or-ocd-in-children/OCDStill005.jpg) ### Video: OCD in children [Video: OCD in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/video-or-ocd-in-children) A child with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is likely to experience both intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions). [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/ocd-guide/ocdmyths.webp) ### Guide: OCD Guide [Guide: OCD Guide](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-guide) A road map to help you navigate supporting a child or a pupil with OCD. Use this to find our most useful content. [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/06.ask-dr-bettina/does-my-child-have-ocd/ocdmyths.webp) ### Video: Does my child have OCD? [Video: Does my child have OCD?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/does-my-child-have-ocd) My daughter is 10 and she has started getting stuck on scary thoughts that she can’t stops thinking about and she can’t go to bed unless the washing machine… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/talking-to-children-about-mental-health-and-neurodiversity/talking-about-neurodiversity.webp) ### Article: Talking to children about mental-health and neurodiversity [Article: Talking to children about mental-health and neurodiversity](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/talking-to-children-about-mental-health-and-neurodiversity) By talking to children about mental health and neurodiversity, we can help them understand and accept themselves for who they are, and give them the tools… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health/ptsd-video.jpg) ### Article: How to talk to your child about mental health [Article: How to talk to your child about mental health](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health) By creating an open, ongoing dialogue, we can encourage children to develop a healthy and informed view of mental health. [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health/OCDStill005.jpg) ### Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health [Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health) Here are some simple tips to help accommodate the different needs of children in the classroom [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) [ Conduct Disorder ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Conduct%20Disorder) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-tips-for-teachers/OCD-in-children.jpg) ### Factsheet: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Tips For Teachers [Factsheet: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Tips For Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-tips-for-teachers) Learn how to recognise OCD in children, understand obsessions and compulsions, and discover practical ways teachers can support pupils in the classroo… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/treating-ocd-and-bdd-in-children-and-young-people/overlap-of-ocd-and-bdd.webp) ### Video: Treating OCD and BDD in children and young people [Video: Treating OCD and BDD in children and young people](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/treating-ocd-and-bdd-in-children-and-young-people) In this video, Dr Bruce Clark, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, discusses his extensive experience in treating OCD and BDD. He emphasises… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ BDD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:BDD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/5-ways-to-help-manage-ocd/what-OCD-looks-like-in-kids.jpg) ### Article: 5 Ways to Help Manage OCD [Article: 5 Ways to Help Manage OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/5-ways-to-help-manage-ocd) OCD can significantly disrupt a child’s daily life, but there are practical ways to help. This piece explores five supportive strategies for managing OCD… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/common-myths-about-ocd/ocdmyths.webp) ### Article: Common Myths About OCD [Article: Common Myths About OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/common-myths-about-ocd) This article explores common myths about OCD and replaces them with clear, accurate facts. It explains what OCD really is, how it affects children and… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/breaking-down-barriers-to-learning/barriers-to-learning-02.jpg) ### Video: Breaking down barriers to learning [Video: Breaking down barriers to learning](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/breaking-down-barriers-to-learning) In this 3-minute film, children talk about their difficulties with learning and how these make them feel. It illustrates the importance of proactively… [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Dyspraxia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyspraxia) [ Dyslexia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyslexia) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) [ Dyscalculia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyscalculia) [ Tourettes ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Tourettes) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/guide-to-understanding-ocd-in-children/what-OCD-looks-like-in-kids.jpg) ### Factsheet: Guide to understanding OCD in children [Factsheet: Guide to understanding OCD in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/guide-to-understanding-ocd-in-children) OCD can be broken down into symptoms of intrusive thoughts (or obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (or compulsions). Here's our guide to how to spot… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/ocd-and-bdd-overlap-in-children-and-young-people/overlap-of-ocd-and-bdd.webp) ### Article: OCD and BDD Overlap in Children and Young People [Article: OCD and BDD Overlap in Children and Young People](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-and-bdd-overlap-in-children-and-young-people) A reflection on our conversation about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in children and young people with consultant… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ BDD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:BDD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/parenting-a-child-with-ocd-kitty/ocd.png) ### Video: Parenting a child with OCD - Kitty [Video: Parenting a child with OCD - Kitty](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/parenting-a-child-with-ocd-kitty) In primary school, Kitty and Daniel's daughter often worried about harm coming to herself and others. She was finally diagnosed with OCD when she was … [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/tips-for-teachers/tips-for-teachers-on-ocd-in-children/OCDStill005.jpg) ### Video: Tips for Teachers on OCD in children [Video: Tips for Teachers on OCD in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/tips-for-teachers-on-ocd-in-children) OCD is characterised by thoughts, images, or feelings which the person finds uncomfortable or intrusive, and therefore tries to minimise by repetitive… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/how-to-recognise-symptoms-of-compulsion-or-ocd/OCD-10.png) ### Video: How to Recognise Symptoms of Compulsion or OCD [Video: How to Recognise Symptoms of Compulsion or OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/how-to-recognise-symptoms-of-compulsion-or-ocd) A child with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is likely to experience both intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions). [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/barriers-to-learning-why-children-might-not-be-engaged-in-school/how-schools-can-be-inclusive.jpg) ### Article: Barriers to learning: why children might not be engaged in school [Article: Barriers to learning: why children might not be engaged in school](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/barriers-to-learning-why-children-might-not-be-engaged-in-school) Explore the many reasons children may struggle to engage at school, from sensory overwhelm and neurodivergent needs to anxiety, bullying and life stresses.… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/the-journey-of-treating-ocd-and-bdd/body-dysmorphia-in-kids.jpg) ### Podcast: The journey of treating OCD and BDD in children and young people [Podcast: The journey of treating OCD and BDD in children and young people](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/the-journey-of-treating-ocd-and-bdd) Dr Bruce Clark, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, shares his extensive experience supporting children and young people experiencing OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive… [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ BDD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:BDD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/comorbidity-in-autistic-children/breathing.jpg) ### Video: Comorbidity in autistic children [Video: Comorbidity in autistic children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/comorbidity-in-autistic-children) Autistic people will often, but certainly not always, experience some mental health challenges. It is estimated that around 70% of autistic people have… [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Dyslexia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyslexia) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/what-is-neurodiversity/what-is-neurodiversity.webp) ### Article: What is neurodiversity? [Article: What is neurodiversity?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/what-is-neurodiversity) Neurodiversity is a concept that aims to recognise and celebrate neurological differences in the same way as other variations in humans. For example, some… [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Mental Health](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health.md) - Previous: [Eating Disorders](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders.md) - Next: [PTSD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd.md) - Children: - [5 Ways to Help Manage OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/5-ways-to-help-manage-ocd.md) - [Common Myths About OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/common-myths-about-ocd.md) - [Guide to understanding OCD in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/guide-to-understanding-ocd-in-children.md) - [How to Recognise Symptoms of Compulsion or OCD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/how-to-recognise-symptoms-of-compulsion-or-ocd.md) - [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Tips For Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-tips-for-teachers.md) - [OCD and BDD Overlap in Children and Young People](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-and-bdd-overlap-in-children-and-young-people.md) - [OCD and me](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-and-me-real-life-child-memories.md) - [OCD Guide](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-guide.md) - [Parenting a child with OCD - Kitty](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/parenting-a-child-with-ocd-kitty.md) - [The journey of treating OCD and BDD in children and young people](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/the-journey-of-treating-ocd-and-bdd.md) - [Treating OCD and BDD in children and young people](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/treating-ocd-and-bdd-in-children-and-young-people.md) - [OCD in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/video-or-ocd-in-children.md)