Discovering that your child has OCD can be overwhelming, especially if it develops suddenly due to an infection or toxins. As a parent who has neurodivergent kids, I’ve been in your shoes, and have felt frightened and confused whenever I watch my child’s behavior change, with obsessions and compulsions appearing out of nowhere. In these cases, it’s easy to wonder if something has gone terribly wrong.
For children with gradually developing OCD, the challenge is often finding the right diagnosis and treatment. Many parents struggle to get the correct care, as OCD is frequently misdiagnosed or treated as simple anxiety. This journey can be frustrating, and it’s not uncommon for families to spend years searching for the right help.
One of the biggest obstacles is understanding that OCD isn’t just anxiety—it’s a distinct condition that hijacks the brain. You must focus on calming that brain before effective treatment can begin, giving your child the best chance to overcome OCD.
To support you in your quest for natural solutions, here is a list of the treatment options that can be used. All these different treatments don't involve the use of OCD medication that could affect your child's brain development, here are some natural yet effective treatments for OCD.
#1 Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) is the primary treatment for OCD. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help, ERP works best when combined with exposure therapy, allowing children to safely face their obsessions and compulsions.
While therapy is directly for the child, ERP sessions involve parents too, who play a key role at home in helping their child break the OCD cycle. Parent’s participation in ERP is when they learn specific responses to their child’s OCD triggers. I teach parents like you what to say or do when OCD behaviors appear, so you develop confidence in supporting your child through the distress.
ERP can feel challenging initially, as it requires confronting the “OCD monster.” But despite this discomfort, the process is effective and worth it.
I remember working with a young boy named Noah whose OCD was so intense he couldn’t even ride in a car to go to school. His brain was in a highly activated state, so we began with neurofeedback and PEMF therapy to calm his mind before starting ERP.
Once he experienced some relief, his parents initially hesitated to continue with therapy, and his obsessions soon returned after stopping neurofeedback. Finally, they committed to ERP, and over time, Noah was able to overcome his OCD and reclaim his life.
#2 Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a powerful tool used to calm the brain and nervous system, helping children with OCD shift to a more relaxed, parasympathetic state. In this calmer state, children are better able to think clearly and take positive action.
When a child’s nervous system is stressed and overactive, they struggle to think, focus, and take steps to stop their OCD behaviors. Instead, their brains get stuck in cycles of obsessive thoughts and repetitive actions.
Neurofeedback sessions help by calming the central nervous system at a subconscious level, breaking this cycle of stress. When combined with coaching and psychotherapy, children can learn more effective ways to manage their intrusive thoughts and persistent fears.
Once the nervous system is calmed, your child can respond more healthily to triggers. This leads to fewer obsessions, compulsions, and irritability, along with reduced distressing thoughts. They are able to think more clearly, engage more fully, and take action without getting stuck in their OCD patterns.
Research by Prichep et al. (1993) using QEEG Brain Mapping has shown that neurofeedback can identify areas of the brain that are either overstimulated or under-activated. In some cases, OCD may be linked to conditions like PANS/PANDAS or autoimmune encephalopathy, which can cause under-stimulation in the brain.
#3 Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
PEMF uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells, promoting healthier functions, activity, and communication. A PEMF device can alter the bio-electromagnetic field of specific organs, enhancing their cellular function.
Low-frequency PEMFs pass through the body, penetrating cells, tissues, organs, and bones without being absorbed or altered. As they move through, they trigger electrical and chemical processes in the tissues.
For individuals with OCD, PEMF therapy calms the brain, helping shift the nervous system from a stress-driven, sympathetic state to a relaxed, parasympathetic state. With a calmer brain, individuals are better able to engage in therapy and break the brain patterns that lead to obsessive thoughts, compulsions, and rituals.
PEMF therapy boosts cellular energy, improving overall cellular health and function. This therapy supports the body’s ability to process electrical and chemical exchanges, addressing imbalances and dysfunctions for natural healing and improved adaptation.
#4 Nutritional Supplements
There are different supplements that can help alleviate the symptoms of OCD in children and teens. If you don't want to use prescription medications on your child, then you may give the following natural supplements in addition to healthy food. These are great complementary to the methods of treatment mentioned above.
A well-rounded treatment approach to OCD may include ocd supplements known to support neurological health. Vitamins for OCD, such as Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E, play a role in maintaining nervous system balance and are considered some of the best supplements for OCD. The regimen might also include natural supplements for OCD that have been traditionally used to support mental well-being.
Magnesium
Magnesium inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters and can increase serotonin, a feel-good brain chemical that enhances mental health. In OCD, the brain gets stuck in an intrusive thought loop due to too many excitatory neurotransmitters. By calming down those excitatory neurotransmitters, a child or teen with OCD can better use the tools they learn in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
NAC helps the body synthesize glutathione, an important antioxidant necessary for liver detoxification It protects the body from different toxins by binding and inactivating environmental pollutants, microbes, herbicides, toxic heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, and drugs like acetaminophen. Too much toxin in the body triggers the brain's inflammatory response and may cause different mental health issues like OCD.
The occurrence of OCD is influenced by excessive neurotransmitter activities and inflammation. NAC is a good supplement for OCD kids as it inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters release and reduces inflammation.
Glycine
Glycine, as a naturally occurring amino acid, supports neurotransmitter and nerve functions. It assists in the production of cellular energy, supports detoxification, and promotes brain and intestinal health.
While the body can produce small amounts of glycine, it is best acquired through food and supplement intake. High concentrations of glycine can be found in high-protein meat, gelatin, collagen, and bone broth.
Glycine also supports a lot of cognitive, metabolic, and muscle functions. It keeps the gut healthy, which is essential for brain health. It works by inhibiting oxidative stress that interferes with intestinal health.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle helps children and teens with OCD patients by promoting detoxification for improved mental health. Toxins building up in the body or brain or body may cause the psychiatric symptoms associated with OCD.
Milk Thistle helps increase the serotonin level of those with OCD. Research shows that Milk Thistle may help lower obsessions and compulsions in as fast as four weeks (Karcı & Celik, 2020).
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is another helpful amino acid for children and teens suffering from OCD. Found in green tea, L-Theanine helps ease depression and anxiety symptoms due to its relaxing and calming properties. L-Theanine also supports healthy brainwave activities and neurocognitive functioning by calming the brain.
L-Theanine works against anxiety disorders by increasing GABA. But unlike prescription medicines, it doesn't induce sleepiness or impair a child's motor skills. It also blocks glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. Inhibiting glutamate means preventing the brain from getting overstimulated. When the brain is calm, the onset of the symptoms of a mental health disorder like OCD is prevented (Lardner, 2013).
Inositol
Inositol, also called Vitamin B8, helps promote relaxation, restful sleep, and brain wellness. It helps reduce depression, anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions. One research studied the effect of inositol on OCD patients. Results show that their Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores got significantly lower scores when taking inositol (Fux et al., 1996). It can help with intrusive thoughts and compulsions.
#5 Essential Oils
The use of essential oils is also recommended for children and teens with OCD. The use of these oils, along with some lifestyle interventions and relaxation techniques, may help your child greatly. Some of the most helpful oils that can alleviate OCD symptoms are:
Frankincense
Frankincense oil was used in an animal-based study and results show that it can initiate a significant reduction in the patient's corticosterone levels when administered in diluted and undiluted forms. It may also be combined with jojoba oil to further reduce stress (Okano et al., 2019).
Rosemary
Neuropharmacological investigations have shown that rosemary has anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It also helps prevent anxiety while boosting memory functions. Its essential oil is one of the most promising natural remedies to treat the pathological conditions of the nervous system, such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease among others (Rahbardar & Hosseinzadeh, 2020).
Ylang Ylang
Ylang-ylang oil can help decrease pulse rate and blood pressure while increasing alertness and attentiveness after either transdermal absorption or inhalation (Setzer, 2009). As a floral essential oil, it has been shown to create a comforting and soothing effect on children and kids with OCD or other neurological disorders.
While it is not yet certain what the exact cause of OCD is, taking the first step to finding the right treatment programs for your child is essential to set them in the right direction. The use of natural, science-backed solutions to treatment-resistant OCD doesn't just give you that sense of safety against the severe side effects of OCD medications but will also help in improving your child's quality of life.
Integrating Lifestyle and Nutritional Strategies for Curing OCD
Managing OCD and anxiety often starts with examining lifestyle choices and nutrition. When combined with natural remedies like cognitive strategies and holistic therapies, these approaches can form a strong foundation for easing symptoms and supporting overall well-being.
Targeted Nutritional Approaches for OCD
When considering supplements for OCD, it’s essential to evaluate the role of specific nutrients. Research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, may have a positive impact on brain health and help manage intrusive thoughts. Identifying the best vitamins and supplements for OCD is a personalized process, involving a thorough dietary assessment and individualized supplement plans tailored to each person’s needs.
Best Practices for Supplementation and Symptom Relief
Choosing the right supplement for OCD requires a nuanced understanding of an individual’s unique biochemical makeup and symptoms. Carefully selected natural supplements for OCD can be a valuable component of a holistic treatment plan. These supplements should always be integrated with evidence-based practices and used under the guidance of a healthcare professional for optimal results.
The Synergy of Nutrition, Lifestyle, and OCD Management
A well-rounded lifestyle, including stress management and regular physical activity, plays a crucial role in managing OCD symptoms. When combined with the right supplements, this synergistic approach can lead to better overall outcomes, helping to alleviate the challenges of living with OCD.
Integrating nutritional strategies, natural remedies, and lifestyle adjustments into a holistic management plan can significantly improve quality of life for those living with OCD and anxiety. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or treatment regimen to ensure the most effective and safe approach.
Fostering Hope and Resilience in OCD Recovery
While the search for a one-size-fits-all cure for OCD continues, fostering hope and resilience is key. Stories of those who have found success in managing OCD—whether through dietary changes, herbal remedies for anxiety, or comprehensive treatment plans—serve as powerful inspiration. Working with a certified integrative mental health professional and an OCD expert can help guide you toward the right treatment approach for your unique needs.
As a certified brain health coach and licensed therapist, I believe that natural remedies like herbs, neurofeedback, PEMF, and cognitive behavioral therapy can significantly help those struggling with OCD. From my experience, while OCD can feel overwhelming, utilizing these tools to calm the nervous system and combining them with therapy can enable children and families to overcome the challenges of this disorder.
Citations
Fux, M., Levine, J., Aviv, A., & Belmaker, R. H. (1996). Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(9), 1219–1221. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.153.9.1219
Karcı, C. K., & Celik, G. G. (2020). Nutritional and herbal supplements in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. General Psychiatry, 33(2), e100159. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2019-100159
Lardner, A. L. (2013). Neurobiological effects of the green tea constituent theanine and its potential role in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Nutritional Neuroscience, 17(4), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1179/1476830513y.0000000079
Okano, S., Honda, Y., Kodama, T., & Kimura, M. (2019). The Effects of Frankincense Essential Oil on Stress in Rats. Journal of Oleo Science, 68(10), 1003–1009. https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess19114
Prichep, L. S., Mas, F., Hollander, E., Liebowitz, M., John, E. R., Almas, M., DeCaria, C. M., & Levine, R. H. (1993). Quantitative electroencephalographic subtyping of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 50(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-4927(93)90021-9
Rahbardar, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2020). Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders. Iran J Basic Med Sci, 23(9). https://doi.org/10.22038/ijbms.2020.45269.10541
Setzer, W. N. (2009). Essential Oils and Anxiolytic Aromatherapy. Natural Product Communications, 4(9), 1934578X0900400. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578×0900400928
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a mental health expert who is frequently called up to give her expert opinion in the media:
- Insider – What is OCD?
- What to Expect: Why Does My Toddler Keep Pulling Her Own Hair?
- Parade: Olympic Boxer Ginny Fulchs Has OCD—Here's Why That Term Is More Complex Than Many People Think
- Single Care Controlling the uncontrollable: Living with OCD during a pandemic
- MomsCove How to Help a Child with Anxiety and OCD
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