Many children occasionally have thoughts that bother them, and they might feel like they have to do something about those thoughts, even if their actions don’t actually make sense. For example, they might worry about having bad luck if they don’t wear a favourite piece of clothing. For some children, the thoughts and the urges to perform certain actions persist, even if they try to ignore them or make them go away. Children may have an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) when unwanted thoughts, and the behaviours they feel they must do because of the thoughts, happen frequently, take up a lot of time (more than an hour a day), interfere with their activities, or make them very upset. The thoughts are called obsessions. The behaviours are called compulsions.

• OCD in Children - Anxiety Care UK
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | OCD Symptoms & Support | YoungMinds
• OCD Support Groups | OCD-UK (ocduk.org)
• Obsessive Complusive Disorder (OCD) | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

Educational Psychology Service Parent Helpline

Do you have concerns about your child’s education or development that you would like to talk through with an Educational Psychologist (EP)?

Call our Parent Helpline

01245 433293

Mondays 1pm – 5pm

(during term time)

What is the Parent helpline?

The helpline is for carers and parents of children and young people up to the age of 19 with concerns about their children’s education or development.

What will happen during a call?

You will talk to a qualified Educational Psychologist who will listen to your concerns and work with you to find a positive way forward.

What will happen after a call?

It will be a discrete piece of work with no follow up from the EP. The helpline is confidential and personal details will not be recorded and nor will information be passed onto other sources.