It can be surprising and difficult for parents to learn that their children can experience anxiety. Anxiety in children often looks different from anxiety in adults, so it can be hard to understand when it's happening. Understanding the differences between adult and child anxiety can help parents recognize the signs in their children and know how to best help them.

As a parent of a teen with OCD, it can be difficult to watch them struggle to manage their symptoms while also keeping up with school life, homework, and expectations from peers. They may feel lonely through this time, and it can feel like no one understands what they are going through.

When thinking about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you might not consider your teen as someone likely to experience it. What is often surprising for parents is to learn that OCD actually most commonly develops in teen years.  As a teen, it can be difficult to seek help from others. They may want to handle it on their own. 

As a parent or caregiver, realizing your child is dealing with anxiety can be heartbreaking. Getting to the root cause of their anxiety is the best thing you can do for both of you.