Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a very distressing mental health condition, especially for children, as they may struggle to understand their obsessions while also working to manage compulsive behaviours. In many cases, compulsions like hand-washing can disturb their daily life and functioning. In such situations, parents and caregivers need to support the child with empathy and compassion so that the child can navigate complex OCD symptoms with ease. Let’s explore a few ways to support a child struggling with compulsions related to hand washing.
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Recognise that OCD is a condition, not a flaw
As parents and caregivers, it can be incredibly overwhelming and frustrating to see your child wash and scrub their hands repeatedly. You might even want to stop them forcefully. But it’s important to understand they aren’t doing this on purpose; rather, handwashing is their way of calming intense anxiety. So, instead of reacting with anger, approach your child’s behaviour with compassion. This builds trust and allows you to connect with the child deeply.
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Validate their emotions
As discussed earlier, compulsive hand-washing can be distressing and overwhelming for a child, leaving them with confusion, anger or even shame. In such times, open communication and validation from parents can help reduce anxiety and other difficult emotions. Let your child know that you understand their distress and encourage them to openly talk about their symptoms to you so that you can support them accordingly.
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Track their triggers
Make note of specific times or instances where handwashing starts becoming repetitive or compulsive for the child. Is it after using the bathroom or after they have come back from the playground? Understanding these triggers will help you and your child prepare for them in advance to reduce compulsive behaviour and anxiety.
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Create a stress-free environment
Compulsive behaviours in OCD often worsen during stressful times. Focus on building a consistent, calm and stress-free routine for the child. Set realistic expectations to reduce pressure around academic performance. Avoid becoming too critical or rigid. The goal is to create a positive and encouraging environment for the child.
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Set boundaries around hand-washing
While it is important to validate the child’s emotions and offer support, caregivers may sometimes reinforce the OCD cycle by allowing the child to engage in rituals continuously. Gently set limits around how many times or for how long the child can continue to wash hands before they have to stop. Involve the child in setting these boundaries so they are mutually agreed upon.
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Model alternative coping strategies
Children often learn a lot from their parents and other caregivers around them. It can be very comforting for a child when parents show that they are safe and germ-free after only two or three hand washings. You can even practice certain alternative coping strategies, such as drawing, solving a puzzle or reading a book with the child, so that they can use these strategies during hand-washing urges.
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Celebrate small wins
Healing compulsive handwashing in OCD requires time and patience. Look for small wins, such as your child washing hands one less time or spending a few minutes less washing their hands. A few minutes of resistance against the handwashing urges can be a small win for the child as well. These milestones can motivate the child towards progress.
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Encourage help-seeking
While a strong and supportive environment is crucial to quick recovery, OCD with hand-washing compulsions generally requires clinical interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Thus, involving a trained child psychologist in treatment can ensure that your child gets the best possible support and tools for their recovery.
Conclusion:
It takes patience, empathy, and gentle boundaries to help a child with OCD who has compulsive handwashing. By validating the child’s emotions, understanding their needs and creating a healthy environment, you can help the child move from distress to recovery. Additionally, you can also teach them healthy coping skills to manage their anxiety while encouraging therapeutic interventions when necessary.
In the end, it is important to remember that OCD is a condition that can be healed and is not a measure of the child’s ability or identity by any means.
References:
- Antonino, D. R. (2024, December 2). Parenting Tips on How To Help a Child With OCD At Home. Therapy Central. https://therapy-central.com/2024/12/02/how-to-help-a-child-with-ocd-at-home/
- Articles. (n.d.). Cedars-Sinai. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/articles.html
- Compulsive Behavior in Children: Types, Causes, What to Do. (n.d.). Cadey. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://cadey.co/articles/compulsions/
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Parent Guide. (n.d.). YoungMinds. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/ocd/
