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OCD and Related Disorders Resources

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a challenging and confusing journey for families. Below is a curated collection of trusted organizations, engaging videos, school support tools, and evidence-based books to help children, youth, and parents understand OCD and learn how to "starve the OCD monster."

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​Featured Resources from Our Practice

  • OCD in School Settings: A Guide for Families & Educators [Our Practice Handout]: Developed by Dr. Juliana, this practical handout explains how OCD symptoms can show up in the classroom and offers concrete strategies to help students succeed at school.

  • School Accommodations for Students with Anxiety & OCD [Podcast Episode]: Listen to Dr. Juliana discuss how parents and schools can work together to set up effective, compassionate school accommodations for children struggling with anxiety and OCD.

 

​Trusted Organizations & Psycho-education

  • The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) [The Gold Standard Resource]: The premier global organization dedicated to OCD. Their website offers outstanding, high-quality resources, including parent fact sheets, expert videos, and directories for finding specialized care.

  • The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): An excellent medical resource offering clear, research-backed guides on childhood OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

  • The Peace of Mind Foundation: A wonderful organization offering free, regular webinars about OCD designed specifically for families, educators, and mental health professionals.​

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Videos, Cartoons, & Movies for Kids & Teens

These engaging, visual resources help children and youth understand that they are not alone and that OCD is treatable:

  • Unstuck: An OCD Kids Movie: A highly recommended, inspiring short film featuring real children sharing their personal journeys of overcoming OCD.

  • Animated OCD Explainers: [OCD Psychoeducation for Kids] & [Understanding the OCD Mind]

  • GoHackify! Animated Treatment Programme: A fun, animated YouTube series designed to help children learn how to "kick childhood OCD to the curb."

  • What is OCD? Explaining OCD to Kids: A gentle, child-friendly video explaining how OCD tricks the brain.

  • The OCD Mind and Uncertainty (ACT Metaphor): A short video explaining how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps us handle the uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty.

  • #OCD: Starving The Monster (TEDx Talk): An empowering talk by Tauscha Johanson on how families can work together to stop feeding OCD.

  • OCD Cartoons: A collection of lighthearted, relatable cartoons illustrating the daily realities of OCD.

  • An Introduction to OCD Treatment (with specialist Katie d'Ath): A clear, comforting video introduction to how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy works.

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Real Stories & Lived Experience 

  • Corey Hirsch’s Story (Former NHL Goalie):

    • [The Player's Tribune Article]: A breathtaking, honest account of Corey's struggles with severe OCD and depression at the height of his hockey career.

    • [Video Interview]: Corey discusses his fear of what his teammates and coaches would think, and the power of breaking the silence around mental health.

  • CBC Radio Special on OCD: An insightful radio broadcast exploring the lived experiences of Canadians with OCD, featuring a deeply personal discussion by the host.

  • Understanding Moral Scrupulosity OCD: A specialized resource explaining "scrupulosity"—a common subtype of OCD involving intense, distressing worries about being a "bad" or "immoral" person.

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School Resources & IEP Planning

  • IEP Accommodations for Anxiety & OCD: A highly practical website that guides educators and parents through creating Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and classroom accommodations tailored to anxiety and OCD.​

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Online Programmes & Virtual Camps

  • Online OCD Camp (by the IOCDF): A fantastic virtual camp experience designed specifically for kids (ages 6–17) and their families. Check the IOCDF website for upcoming dates!

  • NOCD: A trusted platform offering specialized, virtual Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy with licensed OCD specialists.

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Understanding PANDAS/PANS

​Sometimes, OCD symptoms can appear very suddenly following an infection (such as strep throat). This is known as PANDAS or PANS:

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  • PANDAS/PANS Guide for Families: A clear, reassuring introduction to what PANDAS/PANS is and how it is diagnosed.

  • Medical Assessment Guidelines: A clinical resource to share with your family doctor or pediatrician to help guide their medical evaluation.

  • PANDAS/PANS School Resources: Practical tools to help educators support a student experiencing sudden-onset OCD symptoms.

  • Understanding  for families​

 

Recommended OCD Books & Workbooks

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1. Engaging Stories for Kids & Teens

  • OCDaniel (by Wesley King): A fantastic, award-winning novel about a 13-year-old boy navigating middle school, mystery, and his secret OCD.

  • Everything Is an Emergency (by Jason Katzenstein): A moving and humorous graphic novel illustrating the author's personal journey with OCD through words and pictures.

  • Being Me with OCD: Being Me with OCD (by Alison Dotson): A comforting, real-world guide written by a young woman who shares how she learned to "obsess less" and live her life to the fullest.

 

2. Workbooks for Kids & Teens

  • Stuff That's Loud: A Teen's Guide to Unspiraling When OCD Gets Noisy (by Ben Sedley & Coyne): An incredible, highly visual book using ACT and ERP to help teens acknowledge their thoughts and choose their actions.

  • Talking Back to OCD (by Dr. John March): A classic, highly effective step-by-step programme that helps kids and teens say "no way" to OCD, and helps parents cheer them on.

  • The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD (by Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona): A powerful workbook designed to help teens "unhook" from obsessive thoughts and live a full, values-driven life.

  • The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD (by Jon Hershfield & Corboy): A practical guide combining mindfulness practices with traditional cognitive behavioural strategies to manage obsessions.

 

3. Essential Books for Parents

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