Transitioning from high school to college can be a drastic change in a teen’s life. There are new experiences, new friendships, a new level of independence—in many ways, it’s a whole new world. It can be an empowering period of self-discovery, yet also a very stressful one.
For many students, this transition can evoke feelings of confusion, stress, and a sense of loss of control. They’re juggling coursework, relationships, responsibilities, adjusting to campus life, and for some, living away from home for the first time.
College can be a complicated time for any young adult. And on top of it all, having to manage mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a reality for many students, leading to additional stress for them and their parents.
As the parent of a teen with OCD, you can set them up to manage their symptoms and enjoy their college experience.
If you’re new to OCD or your teen was recently diagnosed
First, let’s talk to those of you who may be just finding out your teen has OCD. Starting college can be a time of significant change and unpredictability, so it makes sense that OCD would appear for the first time. OCD doesn’t like uncertainty, and what could be more uncertain than heading off to a new place and determining what you want to do with the rest of your life?
The good news is that there are steps you can take to help your teen navigate this new diagnosis and the challenges it may bring.
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1. Learn as much as you possibly can about OCD
While progress has been made, OCD remains widely misunderstood, and as a result, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about the condition and its treatment. To avoid stigma and false narratives being spread, make sure you’re turning to credible sources for your information about OCD. The NOCD blog has an extensive library of resources and articles reviewed by some of the world’s top OCD experts. The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are also reputable sources to look into.
2. Seek out evidence-based treatment
Since the mental health of college students is integral to their success, it’s crucial to ensure that your teen’s OCD symptoms are being properly treated during college. The best way to do this is by finding an OCD specialist trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is the most effective treatment for OCD, and it can help people of all ages develop lifelong skills to manage their symptoms. An OCD specialist can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your teen so they can navigate college efficiently.
3. Make a game plan
OCD can affect a student’s college experience in several different areas, from their academic success to their social life. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with these potential impacts and look into resources at your teen’s college or university that may be valuable sources of support, such as counseling or tutoring services.
4. Take care of yourself
Watching your teen leave the nest and start this new adventure in life can be both rewarding and intimidating. As much as you might be focused on caring for their well-being, it’s equally important to make sure you’re also taking time to care for yourself. Spending time with friends and family can be a great source of support. Seeking out a therapist for yourself can also be a helpful way to process your emotions and manage stress. Remember, you’re in a better position to help your children when you’re feeling your best.
If you’re familiar with OCD or your teen was previously diagnosed
Now, let’s look at how you can help your teen if you’re a parent who is already familiar with OCD. You may have already gone through the process of receiving a diagnosis, learning more about OCD, and finding treatment. You may also have learned how to help your teen when they lived at home and developed a routine that worked well for your family. However, now you’re faced with the challenge of adjusting to different circumstances and finding new ways to provide support.
If that’s the case for you, here are a few steps that may be helpful:
1. Learn about accommodation–and how to avoid it
If you have participated in OCD treatment alongside your teen, you may already be familiar with the idea of not providing accommodations. This will be an important skill to continue throughout their college experience, but it will look slightly different. You may have to be more aware of the sneaky ways that your college student may try to elicit accommodation, particularly through reassurance-seeking or requesting single dorm rooms or extra time on tests, which all feed into OCD.
2. Encourage your teen to find community
Finding and connecting with others—both with and without OCD—can provide your teen with much-needed emotional support and encouragement. You can help them connect with support groups and community resources that can be there when they’re facing OCD-related setbacks or challenges. Strengthening their social connections will also help take some of the pressure off you to be their primary source of support and motivation.
3. Lead by example
The more comfortable you feel about your teen’s new adventure, the more likely they are to feel the same way. In other words, when you’re confident, they can become more confident. As they head off to college, you can continue to be their constant cheerleader, just as you were during their younger years. You can help them focus on the positives rather than the things that may seem scary at first by reminding them of their strength and all of the times they “did the scary things” while in the throes of an OCD episode.
4. Help them accept the uncertainty that lies ahead
The uncertainty of the future and what comes after college can be stressful—and that’s without throwing OCD into the mix. OCD can make uncertainty seem overwhelmingly stressful, so when you’re supporting your teen through this transition into their adult life, it can be helpful to tell your teen to practice accepting uncertainty. Remind them that it’s common to have hesitations and concerns around new experiences—and that everyone, at some point, feels lost or unsure about what their future may hold.
Bottom line
College is a big step, but with the right tools and support, your teen can thrive. Whether you’re just learning about OCD or have been helping them manage it for years, your steady encouragement and preparation will go a long way. Remember to care for your own well-being too, as doing so helps you support them more effectively.
Key takeaways
- Preparing your teen with OCD for college starts with education, planning, and access to evidence-based treatment.
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the most effective treatment that can empower your teen to manage OCD at school and beyond.
- Teaching your teen to embrace uncertainty and avoid compulsions is crucial to their long-term success.
- Support groups for parents can offer connection, guidance, and reassurance as you navigate this transition together.