Supporting a child with OCD can feel incredibly heavy, especially when obsessive thoughts, compulsions, and rituals take over daily life. You may feel unprepared and out of time and patience to manage these behaviors, and finding the right solution can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But you’re not alone in this. For 30 years, I’ve been helping OCD kids and their families figure a way out of their obstacles, and I’m here to share with you that the number 1 most effective approach is to start by calming the brain. In this episode, you’ll learn all about the complexities of OCD, the strategies that have changed the lives of the people I met, and what you can do to start managing your OCD child’s intrusive thoughts.
Overview
Intrusive thoughts can become “habits” in the brain through a process called negative reinforcement. Here’s how it works: your child might experience a fear, like *“What if I get sick from touching that doorknob?”* To ease their anxiety, they might wash their hands repeatedly. While this ritual brings temporary relief, it actually strengthens the fear over time, making it more likely they’ll feel the need to repeat the behavior again and again. This is why OCD can feel so hard to break without the right help.
The key to managing OCD is addressing both the anxious brain and the behaviors. Calming the brain can involve science-backed tools like mindfulness, breathwork, neurofeedback, or even PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy). At the same time, changing behaviors is essential, and one of the most effective approaches is a type of therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP works by helping your child gradually face their fears in a safe and supportive way, without performing rituals, which teaches their brain that the fear isn’t as dangerous as it feels.
There are powerful strategies you can use at home, too. Avoiding accommodations—like helping with rituals—while teaching stress tolerance and reinforcing coping skills can make a big difference. Together with expert care, these tools can help your child learn to navigate OCD and build resilience, so they can feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Key Lessons from OCD Podcast:
- OCD develops from fear. The symptoms are triggered when a child perceives danger, and reacts accordingly to prevent bad things from happening.
- OCD is a clinical issue where your child gives in to irrational intrusive thoughts and rituals, all to prevent something from happening. On the other hand, anxiety is more of a pervasive worry that doesn’t translate to any action (only worrying).
- OCD fears mostly don’t make sense, while anxiety fears are more rational or real.
- The 1st step to preventing intrusive thoughts is to calm the brain through breathwork, mindfulness work, PEMF, ERP, Neurofeedback, Neurotastic Multi-Mag Brain Formula, and the BrainBehavior Reset Program.
- The BrainBehavior Reset Program is an integrative treatment plan that helps you turn intrusive thoughts around.
- An OCD specialist and a licensed therapist is really important in your journey.
- ERP combines CBT (where you learn to think differently) and change your behavior by adding safe exposures. It teaches the brain to think that the “bad things” are not going to happen.
- Never feed the “OCD Monster”. This means don’t give in to your child’s ritual behavior and participate in their requests. Instead, help them develop their tolerance by reinforcing coping behaviors.
Evidence-based approaches and complementary therapies can empower you to actively participate in your child’s treatment journey and foster a holistic approach to mental well-being. It is possible to navigate OCD with confidence and resilience and I’m here to help you throught it.
What Others say About Dr. Roseann’s OCD Podcast
What is the science behind OCD?
The science behind OCD involves complex interactions between genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. It's believed to involve dysregulation in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate, and abnormalities in specific brain circuits, particularly those involving the cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CSTC) loop. Additionally, research suggests a genetic predisposition to OCD, although environmental triggers and life experiences also play a significant role in its development and expression (Nicolini et al., 2009).
How to naturally treat OCD?
To treat OCD naturally, one should use various strategies that may include mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing exercises to help manage anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can contribute to overall well-being and may alleviate OCD symptoms.
What are nootropics for OCD?
Nootropics like L-theanine, Rhodiola rosea, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been studied for their potential benefits in reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity, which may indirectly help manage OCD symptoms for some individuals.
How long do OCD episodes last?
The duration of OCD episodes can vary significantly from person to person and even within the same individual over time. Episodes may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or even days, depending on factors such as the severity of symptoms, individual coping mechanisms, and the effectiveness of treatment strategies.
Does CBD help with OCD?
While some anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD (cannabidiol) may help alleviate symptoms of OCD, scientific research on its effectiveness is still limited. Some studies have shown promising results in reducing anxiety, which is a common symptom associated with OCD, but more research is needed to determine CBD's specific effects on OCD symptoms (Kayser et al., 2020).
What is the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
The most effective treatment for OCD typically involves a combination of therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tailored explicitly for OCD, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to situations that trigger their obsessions while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors, helping them learn to tolerate anxiety without resorting to rituals.
How to get out of OCD loop?
Getting out of an OCD loop involves employing strategies to interrupt the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. One practical approach is to practice mindfulness, focusing on the present moment and observing intrusive thoughts without reacting to them. Additionally, gradually exposing oneself to triggers while resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors, as guided by a therapist in ERP therapy, can help desensitize the anxiety associated with obsessions.
How debilitating is OCD?
The degree to which OCD can be debilitating varies from person to person, ranging from mild to severe impairment in daily functioning. For some individuals, OCD symptoms may be manageable and have minimal impact on their daily lives. In contrast, for others, OCD can significantly disrupt activities such as work, school, relationships, and overall quality of life. The severity of OCD symptoms, the presence of comorbid conditions, and access to effective treatment all play crucial roles in determining the level of impairment experienced by individuals with OCD.
Citations
Kayser, R. R., Haney, M., Raskin, M., Arout, C., & Simpson, H. B. (2020). Acute effects of cannabinoids on symptoms of obsessive‐compulsive disorder: A human laboratory study. Depression and Anxiety, 37(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23032
Nicolini, H., Arnold, P., Nestadt, G., Lanzagorta, N., & Kennedy, J. L. (2009). Overview of genetics and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research, 170(1), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2008.10.011
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in OCD Treatment who is frequently in the media:
- Hope for Anxiety and OCD: Sudden Onset OCD
- Integrative Practitioner: Integrative Approaches to Treating OCD
- HappiHuman: Is it an Eating Disorder or OCD
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Licensed Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including The Mel Robbins Show, CBS, NBC, PIX11 NYC, Today, FORBES, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Women’s Day, Healthline, CNET, Parade Magazine and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”
She coined the terms, “Re-entry panic syndrome” and “eco-anxiety” and is a frequent contributor to media on mental health.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has three decades of experience in working with children, teens and their families with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, concussion, dyslexia and learning disability, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and mood disorder, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS using science-backed natural mental health solutions such as supplements, magnesium, nutrition, QEEG Brain maps, neurofeedback, PEMF, psychotherapy and other non-medication approaches.
She is the author of three bestselling books, It’s Gonna Be OK!: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child's Mental Health, The Teletherapy Toolkit, and Brain Under Attack. Dr. Roseann is known for offering a message of hope through science-endorsed methods that promote a calm brain.
Her trademarked BrainBehaviorResetⓇ Program and It’s Gonna be OK!Ⓡ Podcast has been a cornerstone for thousands of parents facing mental health, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges.
She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, Neurotastic™Brain Formulas and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
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