When Anxiety, OCD, or ADHD Start Taking Over: How to Know it’s Time to Seek Support
It’s easy to second-guess yourself as a parent.
Is this just a phase?
Is my child just “strong-willed”?
Are they anxious… or just sensitive?
Is this ADHD, or normal kid energy?
Many families wait months or even years before reaching out. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re trying everything they can first. That makes sense. You want to handle it. You want to support your child. You want to get it right.
But here’s the truth: when worry, meltdowns, focus struggles, or rigid behaviors start interfering with daily life, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Early support makes a real difference.
What Anxiety in Kids and Teens Really Looks Like
Anxiety doesn’t always look like fear. Sometimes it looks like:
Refusing school
Trouble sleeping alone
Constant reassurance-seeking
Physical complaints like stomachaches
Perfectionism and fear of mistakes
Big reactions to small changes
For teens, anxiety may show up as irritability, avoidance, shutdown, or spending hours stuck in overthinking.
When anxiety runs the show, the whole family feels it.
Understanding OCD Beyond “Handwashing”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often misunderstood.
It’s not just about germs. OCD can look like:
Intrusive thoughts about harm, morality, or “bad things happening”
Repeated checking or confessing
Mental rituals
Reassurance loops that never feel like enough
Avoiding normal activities because of fear
OCD is loud, convincing, and exhausting. The good news? It responds extremely well to evidence-based treatment, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
ADHD vs. Anxiety: Why the Right Assessment Matters
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and anxiety often overlap.
A child who can’t focus might be distracted by worry.
A teen who seems unmotivated might actually be overwhelmed.
Impulsivity, emotional reactivity, and executive functioning challenges can show up in multiple diagnoses.
That’s why comprehensive psychological assessment is so important. A clear understanding of what’s going on helps:
Guide treatment
Support school accommodations
Reduce shame
Give parents direction
Labels aren’t the goal. Clarity is.
When Is It Time to Reach Out?
Consider seeking support if:
Your child’s anxiety or behaviors are affecting school or friendships
Family life feels tense or dominated by one child’s struggles
You’re walking on eggshells
You’re giving constant reassurance but it’s never enough
You feel stuck, exhausted, or unsure what to do next
You don’t have to wait until things are severe.
Therapy isn’t just for crises. It’s also for prevention, skill-building, and strengthening family systems.
What Evidence-Based Therapy Looks Like
Effective therapy for OCD and anxiety isn’t just talking about feelings.
It includes:
Structured, gradual exposure work
Building tolerance for discomfort
Parent coaching
Behavior plans rooted in science
Clear, measurable goals
When working with kids and teens, parents are part of the process. Change happens faster when the whole system is aligned.
A Note to Parents
If you’re reading this, you care deeply. That already matters.
Parenting a child with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or learning differences can feel isolating. It can also bring up guilt, frustration, and doubt.
You’re not failing. You may just need the right tools.
With the right support, kids become braver. Teens gain confidence. Families breathe again.
Looking for Support in Beverly Hills or Encino?
At Kesher Psychological Services, we work with children, teens, and young adults struggling with:
OCD
Anxiety disorders
ADHD
Autism
Learning differences
Behavioral challenges
We provide evidence-based therapy and comprehensive psychological assessments in a warm, structured, family-centered environment.
If you’re wondering whether therapy or assessment is the right next step, reaching out for a consultation can help you get clarity.