Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be difficult to manage without professional guidance and ongoing support. Some families have trouble recognizing the warning signs of their loved one’s condition. These parents or caregivers may find it beneficial to thoroughly research the condition. By investigating in this way, they may gain a better understanding of their daughter’s mental health issues. Unmanaged OCD is a condition that can negatively interfere with many aspects of one’s life. Fortunately, psychotherapy and parent weekend workshops at Clearview can help families gain more insight into the effects of OCD.

What Is OCD?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an individual having problems with OCD may experience persistent uncontrollable thoughts or obsessions. It can be incredibly hard for someone with OCD to control their behavior even while knowing how excessive their actions may be. Certain intrusive thoughts may recur. It is also common for someone with OCD to engage in compulsive behaviors.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that can interfere with one’s ability to function daily. Many people experience significant distress as certain rituals can be time-consuming and derail them from completing important daily priorities. For example, some individuals may spend over an hour a day on their obsessions and compulsions.

Negative Outcomes From Untreated OCD

Symptoms of OCD can negatively impact relationships with family and friends and interfere with an adolescent’s academic progress. Because OCD can wreak havoc on one’s life, some individuals abuse drugs and alcohol to gain a sense of relief. This is why unmanaged OCD can increase one’s chance of developing substance use disorder (SUD). SUD may in turn worsen the symptoms of OCD. Although these facts can paint a bleak picture, many families take heart in knowing that their loved one’s mental distress is highly treatable.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of OCD

It can be tough for adolescents to cope with their OCD symptoms. OCD can also be frustrating for families to manage without assistance. It can be helpful for families to learn about the symptoms of OCD and research treatment options. This may help parents better report their concerns to a trusted specialist for further evaluation to achieve a safe and successful recovery.

OCD symptoms may not be the same for everyone but commonly include:

  • Having a great fear of contamination or germs, leading to excessive hand washing or cleaning
  • Frequently forgetting, misplacing, or losing items
  • Having fear of losing control of one’s actions
  • Experiencing aggressive thoughts toward oneself or others
  • Having taboo, unwanted, or forbidden religious, sexual, or harmful thoughts
  • Experiencing the urge to organize everything in perfect order
  • Repeatedly checking up on things such as the oven or house door for fear of mistakes leading to danger
  • Silently repeating certain words or compulsively counting

Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Research indicates that having OCD in youth puts a person at an increased risk of developing comorbid psychiatric disorders in adulthood. According to Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked OCD as one of the top 20 causes of disability in 15- to 44-year-olds.

Without treatment, an individual’s symptoms typically follow a chronic path forward. Most individuals do not gain pleasure from their compulsions but instead feel a sense of relief from related anxiety. Co-occurring mental health conditions include mood disorders such as anxiety, major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder.

Moving Forward With Treatment Options at Clearview

OCD can be challenging to manage if families do not seek professional care. Fortunately, many young girls gain mental stability after pursuing treatment at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy. Clearview Horizon Girls Academy offers a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan to ensure an effective path forward for girls with OCD symptoms.

Depending on the severity of one’s condition a professional may recommend a variety of treatments that are effective in treating OCD and co-occurring disorders. Clearview therapy services include:

  • Equine therapy
  • Trust-based relational intervention (TRBI) therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Lifespan integration
  • Reality therapy
  • Neurofeedback
  • Craniosacral therapy treatments

Engaging in Treatment Together to Create Ongoing Support

It can be difficult for families to understand the effects of OCD. Parent weekend workshops can be a great way to involve parents and caregivers in their loved one’s path to recovery. A typical workshop allows family members to practice and integrate new life skills and apply insights that are gained collectively.

Everyone deserves to heal and have a chance to create a positive future with healthy relationships. Each participant in Clearview’s workshops begins to enhance self-awareness, improve relationships, and apply effective communication skills that support long-term recovery.

The many benefits of Clearview’s family support resources include:

  • A reduced sense of isolation
  • Comfort, hope, and a sense of being understood
  • Healthy development for individuals and the family as a whole
  • Enhanced psychological well-being for the student in our program

At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we employ a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to address the diverse needs of our students. Licensed therapists conduct thorough assessments to understand the nature and extent of each girl’s challenges, paving the way for targeted interventions. Parents are encouraged to visit their daughter after an appropriate number of family therapy phone calls. We understand that the journey toward healing and growth involves not just the girls in our residential treatment center but their families as well. When you visit, one of our therapists will participate in family therapy with your daughter. Each visit has a set of behavioral goals the student works on during that time period. For more, call us at 866-584-4788.