What Causes OCD in Children and teens?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

If your child is stuck in weird rituals or can’t stop asking the same question over and over… and you’re starting to worry this is more than a phase—you’re not alone.

I’ve sat across from so many parents who’ve said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but this isn’t my kid.”It’s scary. It’s confusing. And it’s not your fault.

OCD isn’t something your child is choosing. It’s something happening in their brain—and once you understand what’s driving it, you can finally start helping them feel better.

In this blog, we’ll walk through what actually causes OCDin children and teens, answer the big questions parents ask me every week, and talk about what you can do right now to support your child, without guessing.

What is OCD in Children?

OCD isn’t about being extra tidy or liking things “just so.” It’s a brain hiccup that causes kids to get stuck in scary thoughts and feel like they have to do something to make the anxiety go away.

• Obsessionsare unwanted, intrusive thoughtsthat create a lot of fear or worry.
  
• Compulsionsare the rituals or actions kids feel drivento do to feel safe—like handwashing, checking, or repeating things.
  

For example: A child afraid of germs might wash their hands so many times they start to hurt. Not because they want to, but because their brain is telling them they have to.

Even when kids knowtheir thoughts don’t make sense, OCD makes it hard to stop. That’s what makes it so tough for them and for you.

What Causes OCD in Children?

This is the question nearly every parent asks me: “Why is this happening? Did I miss something?”

There’s no single answer. OCD usually shows up because of a bunch of things coming together—not just one event or cause. And I want you to know—this is not your fault.

For many kids, it’s a mix of stuff like:

• Family history.OCD or anxiety can run in families, even if it looks different from one person to the next.
  
• How their brain works.Some kids’ brains handle fear and decisions a bit differently—especially in certain parts of the brain.
  
• Brain chemistry.Pediatric OCD can be linked to how the brain uses serotonin, which helps keep thoughts and feelings in check.
  
• Stress or illness. Big life changes, trauma, or even infections like strep (yes, that’s related to PANDAS) can trigger or worsen OCD symptoms in children.

Can Stress or Trauma Trigger OCD in Kids?

It can and often does.

I’ve seen this happen way too many times to count. A kid goes through something really tough, and then suddenly their brain is on high alert. They start feeling like if they don’t do certain things again and again, something bad will happen. That’s often how OCD sneaks in.

Now, stress or trauma by themselves don’t just causeOCD out of nowhere. But for kids who are already a bit more sensitive or anxious, those hard experiences can flip the switch and bring childhood trauma and ocd to life.

Here are some real-life triggers I see a lot:

• Big life changes,like moving to a new home, starting a new school, or losing someone close
  
• Tough experiences, like getting bullied, being in a car accident, or going through something scary
  
• Ongoing stress,like constant fighting at home or feeling like they haveto be perfect all the time