Common Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive actions or mental rituals a child feels must be done to prevent harm, reduce anxiety, or make things feel “just right.” While they bring brief relief, they actually strengthen OCD’s grip.

Typical compulsive themes

Checking: doors, locks, homework, lights.
Washing / cleaning: hands, items, or lengthy shower routines.
Repeating: tapping, blinking, rereading, re-doing tasks until it “feels right.”
Ordering & arranging: lining up toys symmetrically, organizing pencils by colour.
Counting or chanting: silent numbers, “lucky” phrases.
Reassurance seeking: constant “Are you sure?” questions to parents.
Mental reviewing: replaying conversations to ensure no mistakes.

If these behaviours take more than an hour a day, lead to distress, or disrupt life, it’s time to seek help.

Why kids can’t “just stop”

Compulsions temporarily lower the anxiety created by intrusive thoughts. The brain learns ritual = relief—so the cycle repeats. Breaking the loop means feeling the anxiety and not doing the ritual until the fear fades.

How parents can respond

Label OCD as the bossy voice. Externalising reduces shame: “OCD is telling you to wash again.”
Delay, don’t forbid. “Let’s wait five minutes before checking.” Small delays build tolerance.
Avoid reassurance traps. Instead ask, “What does your OCD say? What do you think?”—skills taught in SPACE training.

Parents practise these tactics in one-on-one parent coaching and the Parenting Anxious Children group.

Evidence-based treatment

ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) in individual therapy for children 8–10 and teens 11–19.
Anxiety Skills Kids 9-12 group to practise resisting rituals alongside peers.
Parent accommodation reduction via SPACE and supportive coaching.
For a full overview see OCD in Children (Childhood OCD page).

Clinicians experienced with compulsions

Dr. Zia Lakdawalla – ERP specialist, parent coach
Dr. Lana Zinck – SPACE-certified provider
Cassandra Harmsen – ACT + ERP approach
Ola Obaro – family-centred ERP for school impacts

FAQs — Common Compulsions

1. Will ignoring a compulsion harm my child?

With therapist guidance, delaying or skipping rituals is safe and necessary for recovery.

2. My child hides rituals—how can I spot them?

Look for long bathroom times, worn skin from washing, or repeated questions seeking certainty.

3. Are rituals ever “normal”?

Many kids have routines. Red flags are distress, interference, and inability to stop.

4. Do rewards help stop compulsions?

Rewards for resisting rituals can motivate, but ERP and parent coaching are key.

5. How soon will treatment help?

Many families notice fewer rituals within 8-12 ERP sessions when consistently practised at home.