Guidance for Grown-Ups
April 2007
Understanding OCD

OCD: Trapped in Your Own Head
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This Discussion Guide contains the following Activity Sections:

1. The Answers to Your Questions



2. Problem Solving: Exploring Options, Giving Advice



3. Make a Historical and Global Connection: Changing Options

I. The Answers to Your Questions

The purpose of this activity is to understand the origin, symptoms, and treatment options for obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD.

1. Open the conversation about OCD by asking how many teens in the group have heard of OCD. Can anyone describe it?



2. Ask one of the teens to read the Teen Voices' definition, "What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?" out loud.



3. Next, ask the teens to read the interview, " Breaking Down OCD" in pairs. One can read the part of the Teen Voices' interviewer, and one can read the part of Diane Davey, program director at the OCD Institute. When they finish, ask the teens to return to the group. What questions do they have about OCD? Write down all of their questions in a place everyone can read, and return to those questions at the end of this series of activities.

Resources
More reading on OCD — www.kidshealth.org

II. Problem Solving: Exploring Options, Giving Advice

The purpose of this activity is to help teens spot behavior consistent with OCD, to foster empathy for those who have experienced OCD, and to understand the importance of seeking help.

1. Worries and anxieties are a natural part of growing up. Here is a list of the top eight worries of kids ages 9 to13, according to a survey by KidsHealth:
   • Grades
   • Looks or appearance
   • Problems at home
   • Being liked and fitting in at school
   • Being out of shape or overweight
   • The future
   • Being a failure or disappointing loved ones
   • Friends and their problems
   After reviewing this list, ask the teens to write about how they approach one of these topics. They could write from the point of view of worrying too much, and can explain their worries and what happens as a result, or they can write about the fact that they never worry about this topic, because they have figured out a good strategy for staying positive.



2. While the list above may be considered "normal" or "everyday" worries, the anxieties and behaviors of people with OCD are heightened and often unreasonable. To understand OCD more closely, ask the teens to read "My Obsessive Secret," by Nina Nielepko, 17. Next, ask the teens to think of how someone with OCD might handle a worry from the above list.



3. Keeping OCD a secret is a common theme among the Teen Voices contributors on this topic. Ask the teens to observe why someone with OCD may not want others to know. What is dangerous about keeping OCD symptoms a secret? What are the benefits of sharing an OCD experience, the way Sarah Henderson, 18, does in "Breaking Free From OCD?"



4. In "Counting, Counting All the Time…One, Two, Three, Six, Nine", 18-year-old Melinda Stroda does not seek help for her OCD. A follow-up interview with Teen Voices reveals that Melinda is doing OK. But other teens may not fare as well. Can the teens come up with a Top 10 list for getting help for OCD? (Note the tips from Teen Voices!)

III. Make a Historical and Global Connection: Changing Options

The purpose of this activity is to encourage the teens to take their knowledge of OCD to the next level of understanding.

1. Issue a challenge to the teens: How could they make a difference in their community now that they understand the symptoms and challenges of OCD? Following is a list of ideas but even better if the teens come up with one of their own:
   • Read a book about OCD to an elementary school class
   • Write a research paper on OCD for a school assignment
   • Write a personal essay about a firsthand experience with OCD or an OCD symptom
   • Create a survey about worrying, disseminate it at school, and publish the results in the school paper
   • In a supportive, caring, and one-on-one conversation, express concern to a friend or family member who may exhibit OCD symptoms
   
   

Resources

• What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD, by Dawn Huebner; Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews (recommended for kids 6-12).
• Tips for helping a family member cope with an anxiety disorder — www.adaa.org

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