As a child, I vividly remember developing an overwhelming dread of misbehavior. At eight years old, a seemingly innocent game of tic-tac-toe on a bathroom wall spiraled into months of anxiety. Though my friend and I erased our artwork and escaped detection, the fear of repercussions consumed me. Even after changing schools, the worry lingered that I would eventually face punishment for my actions.
This fear morphed into other intrusive thoughts. Was it wrong to trade my Garbage Pail Kid cards during school hours? Did sneaking an extra piece of candy when my mom said I had enough make me a bad person? Long after these trivial events, I found myself unable to shake the anxiety that haunted my nights, never revealing my inner turmoil to anyone.
As I grew older, my worries expanded to fears of violence, abduction, and catastrophic events. Ultimately, I developed an anxiety disorder that still affects me today. However, the roots of my struggle can be traced back to those obsessive childhood anxieties about wrongdoing.
I later discovered that I wasn’t alone in these experiences; there’s a term for this type of obsessive thinking known as Moral OCD, or Scrupulosity OCD. This subset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent thoughts centered around guilt, moral failings, and the fear of being seen as immoral or dishonest. Those affected often find themselves scrutinizing their thoughts and actions, convinced they are fundamentally flawed.
Natasha Richards, a child therapist from California specializing in OCD, highlights that Moral OCD is more prevalent among children than many parents recognize, yet it often goes unnoticed or misinterpreted. “Moral OCD starts with an obsessive thought,” explains Richards, a mother of two and writer at Calm Kids. “It can tell a child they’re not good enough or that they’ve committed a moral failing. This barrage of intrusive thoughts leaves them feeling guilty, confused, and full of self-doubt.”
Richards notes that more than half of her OCD patients exhibit symptoms of Moral OCD. Unfortunately, this type of OCD can be subtle, making it easy for parents and even therapists to overlook. “While parents may be aware of other OCD forms, Moral OCD often escapes their notice,” she says.
The tragedy is that children with Moral OCD often become terrified of their own thoughts, locking them away out of fear. They become prisoners to their obsessive thinking, paralyzed and reluctant to seek help, even from their parents. Richards describes the impact: “Moral OCD erodes children from within, bombarding them with horrifying and taboo thoughts. It twists their moral compass, making them doubt their values.”
Many children suffer in silence, allowing these intrusive thoughts to accumulate and spiral out of control. Eventually, some may reach out to confess these “bad thoughts” to their parents, but by then, the situation can be overwhelming. Parents often feel lost and unsure of how to support their troubled child, who appears deeply anxious and distressed.
What many parents fail to understand is that their child is grappling with a form of OCD. “Parents may fear their child is suicidal or morally corrupt, interpreting the intrusive thoughts as valid,” Richards explains. This misunderstanding can exacerbate the child’s distress.
Fortunately, some parents seek therapy for their children. If the therapist is well-versed in recognizing the signs of Moral OCD, they can help children receive the support they desperately need. Therapy can aid parents in realizing that their child’s distressing thoughts do not define them but are symptoms of a psychological disorder. “In therapy, parents learn that these thoughts stem from OCD and do not reflect their child’s true nature,” Richards adds.
A vital aspect of therapy for Moral OCD is helping children recognize they are not alone in their experiences. Understanding that there’s a name for their struggle can provide immense relief. Through therapy, children often feel reassured that they are not “crazy,” and that it’s merely OCD fueling their distress.
Richards emphasizes that part of therapy involves educating parents to respond appropriately when their child’s OCD manifests. “Therapists can guide parents to engage with the OCD itself rather than their child, using phrases like, ‘Tell your OCD I’m not engaging with it,’” she explains.
The most effective treatment for Moral OCD is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) known as Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), which has shown significant success. For further insights into this disorder, visit Calm Kids, or explore resources such as the Mayo Clinic’s guide on In Vitro Fertilization for related topics.
If you suspect your child may be experiencing Moral OCD or any other mental health issue, it’s crucial to take their concerns seriously. Having faced similar challenges in my childhood, I understand how vital it is for children to realize they are not irreparably broken. Their experiences are not only common but also treatable.
Summary
Moral OCD, a lesser-known aspect of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, manifests through intrusive thoughts about wrongdoing and moral failings. Many children suffer in silence, fearing that their thoughts make them bad people. Understanding and recognizing this disorder can help parents support their children effectively, leading to a path of healing through therapy.