When my daughter Jordan was a toddler, the bedtime rituals were exhausting. If we missed a step in the process, it would need to start all over again. OCD told her it had to be “just right.” Fourteen years later, Jordan the high school student stopped eating. OCD gave her countless reasons why her food… Read more »
Posts Categorized: OCD in Kids
Mental Health Awareness Month: A Spotlight on Children’s Mental Health
Although mental health was once considered a taboo subject, it has increasingly become a topic of everyday conversation. While we still have much work to do, it’s promising to see so many people taking initiative to learn about the various conditions that impact the lives of millions of Americans. Unfortunately, mental health disorders know no… Read more »
Learning to be Present Again
This author has asked to remain anonymous My heart ached when I heard the report of the school shooting in Florida last month. As the horrific images appeared on my television screen, my mind flashed back to my twelve-year-old self when I was glued to the news coverage of the 1999 Columbine school shooting. My… Read more »
On the Other Side of Despair
This author has asked to remain anonymous The signs of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) began showing in our son at an early age. When he was 7, he started to exhibit many unusual and unprovoked movements but given he was the eldest child, our general knowledge of middle childhood behaviors was lacking. We began to… Read more »
A thirteen-year-old’s advice to other children with OCD
By Alex R. I have recently been diagnosed with severe pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). When I suffered from my OCD symptoms, I hated my life. I was not able to do simple tasks – such as walking from my bedroom to the kitchen, brushing my teeth, or eating and… Read more »
Lessons from an 11-year old
This author has asked to remain anonymous My OCD symptoms started in 2014 when I was eight years old. First I was having trouble parting my hair and getting it perfect. Then it was about my negative mindset. I saw many doctors at that time but I could not find one who I thought understood… Read more »
A Mother’s Perspective
Written by Darla Knopp This story is part of our blog series called “Stories from the OCD Community.” Stories from the community are submitted and edited by Toni Palombi. If you are interested in sharing your story you can view submission details at www.iocdf.org/ocd-stories. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a term that can sometimes be easily… Read more »
One Teen’s Guide to Conquering OCD: by Josh Steinberg
Tips for Helping Loved Ones Struggling With OCD 1. Your Child is Not Trying to be Difficult: It can be almost as stressful for parents and siblings of kids suffering from OCD as it is for the kids themselves! Children who are still resisting treatment or whose symptoms are upsetting the family’s routines are not… Read more »
Guest Post: Seeing The Light At The End Of The Dark Tunnel: My Experience With The Doubting Disease
Today’s blog is by Ryan, age 12, a 7th grader in New Jersey who wanted to share her experiences of living with OCD. Thank you to Ryan for sharing her story! When I was first diagnosed with OCD at the very end of 2015, I was, to be honest, shocked. My struggles were nothing like… Read more »
Then & Now: How has the IOCDF changed your life?
Did you know that this year is the IOCDF’s 30th anniversary? In November 1986, a small group of advocates gathered together to start a non-profit to help all of those affected by OCD and related disorders. This year, we celebrate 30 years and we have all of you to thank for your continued support! In… Read more »