Podcast Episode 395: Signs of OCD in Kids That Most Parents Miss with Dr.Tamar Chanksy
Ever watch your kid spend 20 minutes trying to get their sock on just right and think, “Okay… is this normal, or are we spiraling here?”
You’re not alone. It’s hard to know what’s a harmless habit, what’s anxiety, and what could actually be something more—especially when your child seems otherwise totally fine. Or when the behavior isn’t even visible at all.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Tamar Chansky, a leading expert in childhood OCD and author of Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. She explains what OCD really looks like in kids—and spoiler alert: it’s not about being super neat or loving color-coded closets. It’s about intrusive thoughts your child can’t control and the rituals they create to feel safe.
We talk about the hidden signs of OCD in children, how to gently separate your child’s identity from those thoughts, and why giving the OCD a silly name (like “Voldemort” or “sticky brain”) can help your child feel more empowered and less ashamed. Dr. Chansky also shares easy, practical ways to help your child “boss back” those thoughts and start breaking free from them—without power struggles.
If your gut is telling you something more might be going on, this episode gives you the tools, clarity, and hope you need to take the next step. Don’t miss it.
In this episode of the No Guilt Mom podcast you’ll learn:
- How to determine the difference between anxiety and signs of OCD behaviors
- Understand why OCD is more than anxiety and “being neat”
- Simple strategies to help your child
- How to separate the child from the disorder
Resources We Shared In This Episode:
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