Top 6 Ways that Parents Exacerbate OCD
When parents accommodate too much to their child's Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it can inadvertently exacerbate the condition and make it more difficult for the child to manage their symptoms.
Accommodation refers to the actions taken by parents to help alleviate the distress caused by the child's OCD, but it can unintentionally reinforce the obsessions and compulsions. Here are six ways in which parents can inadvertently worsen OCD symptoms by accommodating too much:
Reassurance-seeking:
When a child with OCD seeks reassurance from their parents about their fears and anxieties, parents may feel compelled to repeatedly provide comfort and assurances. However, this can perpetuate the cycle of doubt and anxiety, reinforcing the idea that the child's fears are valid and require constant reassurance.
Performing rituals for the child:
Parents might engage in the compulsive behaviors themselves to ease their child's anxiety or prevent distress. For example, if a child is afraid of contamination, a parent might repeatedly clean and disinfect objects for them. This reinforces the belief that the rituals are necessary for safety.
Avoidance:
Parents may make significant efforts to avoid situations or triggers that provoke their child's OCD symptoms. While this may provide temporary relief, it reinforces the idea that these situations are indeed dangerous and should be avoided, making it more challenging for the child to face and overcome their fears.
Enabling avoidance behaviors:
Instead of encouraging the child to confront their fears, parents might enable the child's avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations. For example, if a child fears certain numbers, a parent might go out of their way to avoid using those numbers to prevent distress.
Minimizing exposure to triggers:
Parents might take excessive measures to reduce their child's exposure to things that trigger their OCD. While it may reduce immediate distress, it can hinder the child's ability to learn coping strategies and become more resilient in the face of their fears.
Overprotectiveness:
Being overly protective can send the message to the child that they are not capable of handling challenging situations on their own, leading to increased dependency and avoidance behaviors.
All these accommodations can reinforce the child's belief that their fears and rituals are necessary, valid, and justified, which strengthens the grip of OCD on their lives.
Instead, it is essential for parents to support their child with OCD in a more constructive way:
Encourage professional help:
Seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional who specializes in treating OCD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered the most effective treatment for OCD in children. Contact Kairos Wellness Collective to learn more.
Educate themselves:
Learn about OCD and how to best support their child without enabling the symptoms. Consider watching the ERP training video by Natalia Aiza for OCD parenting.
Practice gradual exposure:
Work with the therapist to gradually expose the child to anxiety-provoking situations and help them resist the urge to engage in rituals.
Set boundaries:
Avoid excessive reassurance and be firm about not participating in the child's compulsive behaviors.
Promote resilience:
Encourage the child to face their fears gradually, providing support and praise for their efforts.
Be patient:
Recovery from OCD takes time and effort. Parents should be patient and understanding throughout the process.
Overall, parents can play a vital role in helping their child manage OCD by striking a balance between providing support and encouragement while not reinforcing the disorder's symptoms through excessive accommodation. Professional guidance and support are essential in helping the child and the family navigate through this challenging condition.
Contact Kairos Wellness Collective today if your child is struggling with recovery from OCD.