Many children and young people experience repeated thoughts, habits or routines at times. These can be part of exploring the world, seeking comfort, or managing feelings such as worry or uncertainty. Having certain rituals or strong preferences does not automatically mean there is a mental health difficulty.
However, when intrusive thoughts (obsessions) or repetitive actions (compulsions) start to cause distress or interfere with day‑to‑day life, extra understanding and support can be very helpful. This resource offers practical strategies for parents and carers, and guidance on when to seek additional help.
Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions
Obsessions are unwanted or intrusive thoughts, images, urges or worries that keep coming back and feel difficult to control.
Compulsions are actions a child feels driven to do repeatedly to reduce discomfort or prevent something bad from happening.
These might show up as:
Children don’t choose these behaviours—they are usually trying to reduce anxiety or regain a sense of control.
Practical Strategies for Parents and Carers
Children experiencing obsessions or compulsions can feel embarrassed, confused or scared.
Helpful phrase:
“I can see this is really hard for you. We’ll figure it out together.”
Children experiencing obsessions or compulsions can feel embarrassed, confused or scared.
Helpful phrase:
“I can see this is really hard for you. We’ll figure it out together.”
Obsessions and compulsions often come from worry, uncertainty or sensory discomfort.
Validating their experience reduces shame and helps them feel safe.
Try:
Obsessions and compulsions often come from worry, uncertainty or sensory discomfort.
Validating their experience reduces shame and helps them feel safe.
Try:
It’s natural to want to reassure, but constant reassurance can unintentionally make compulsions stronger.
Instead:
It’s natural to want to reassure, but constant reassurance can unintentionally make compulsions stronger.
Instead:
Stopping compulsions suddenly can cause distress.
Small, step‑by‑step changes are more effective.
Examples:
Always go at the child’s pace.
Stopping compulsions suddenly can cause distress.
Small, step‑by‑step changes are more effective.
Examples:
Always go at the child’s pace.
Many compulsions increase when children feel overwhelmed or uncertain.
Support them with:
Consistent structure reduces the need to create reassurance through rituals.
Many compulsions increase when children feel overwhelmed or uncertain.
Support them with:
Consistent structure reduces the need to create reassurance through rituals.
These can help a child manage the uncomfortable feelings that drive compulsions.
Breathing Tools
Grounding Skills
Movement and Sensory Breaks
Many children use compulsions to regulate. Offering alternatives can help:
Thought‑Externalising Tools
These can help a child manage the uncomfortable feelings that drive compulsions.
Breathing Tools
Grounding Skills
Movement and Sensory Breaks
Many children use compulsions to regulate. Offering alternatives can help:
Thought‑Externalising Tools
Children may feel more in control when their environment feels balanced.
Focus on:
Children may feel more in control when their environment feels balanced.
Focus on:
Consider seeking extra support if you notice:
If you ever have concerns about safety or wellbeing, contact your GP or appropriate support services urgently.
Consider seeking extra support if you notice:
If you ever have concerns about safety or wellbeing, contact your GP or appropriate support services urgently.
Support
Support