Summer break can be a much-needed pause from the demands of school. But for teens with OCD, less structure can also mean new challenges. OCD symptoms might shift, get louder, or attach to new worries—making it easy for teens to feel frustrated or discouraged.
We spoke with Dr. Patrick McGrath, Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD, to get his best advice for helping teens (ages 13–18) feel supported, resilient, and confident during the summer months.
Here are 6 simple, therapist-backed strategies that can help:
1. Remind your teen that shifts in symptoms are normal
As teens grow, OCD themes can change—from harm, to religion, to sexuality, and more. “OCD will latch onto anything you might have doubts about,” says Dr. McGrath. “It might think that this thing right now is the worst thing ever, and then in a couple of days, something else will feel even worse.”
If your teen feels discouraged by changing obsessions, remind them that shifting themes are a typical part of OCD—and that they can keep using the skills they’re learning in therapy to manage whatever comes up.
2. Encourage consistent therapy
Summer can be a powerful time for your teen to strengthen the skills they’ve been building in therapy. With fewer school demands, they may have more space to focus on treatment and make real progress. But consistency matters. As Dr. McGrath puts it, “OCD is not going to give up. Why would we give up?”
Encouraging daily exposures, regular practice, and ongoing therapy sessions can help your teen stay steady—and more confident heading into the new school year.
3. Be careful not to accommodate OCD at home
While it might feel easier to relax expectations over the summer, it’s important to keep setting firm, supportive limits around OCD behaviors. “OCD doesn’t take a vacation,” Dr. McGrath reminds families. That means continuing to resist providing reassurance, enabling avoidance, and engaging in other behaviors that can unintentionally reinforce symptoms.
For example, if your teen struggles with contamination fears and insists on being the only person allowed to use a certain bathroom, it’s important not to agree to that rule. Holding firm on boundaries will give your teen more chances to face their fears, practice their therapy skills, and build confidence.
4. Support your teen’s independence without overstepping
As teens grow, they’ll naturally want more ownership over their lives, including in their OCD treatment. It’s important to encourage independence while still staying supportive and involved. As a family, staying present, encouraging, and involved can make a big difference in helping teens feel capable of facing OCD challenges. Dr. McGrath reminds families that even during summer, “you don’t want OCD setting the rules in your house.” Allow your teen to take the lead in setting their own goals and boundaries, but step in when needed to limit accommodations, reinforce therapy skills, and offer encouragement when challenges come up.
5. Keep them active and engaged
Too much unstructured time can leave space for OCD to grow. Dr. McGrath suggests encouraging teens to stay busy with activities they enjoy, or even a summer job. Staying active gives OCD less room to take hold and can help teens feel more confident and independent.
6. Prepare ahead for vacations and special events
Family trips, camps, and big events can stir up new anxieties, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Steering clear of challenges just feeds OCD. Instead, Dr. McGrath recommends preparing in advance: “It’s probably best to start talking about it and working with a therapist, so that when the time comes, it’s not overwhelming.” With a little extra planning and support, your teen can still experience all the fun milestones of summer—while continuing to maintain mental health progress.
Bottom line
Managing OCD during the summer doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right support and strategies, your teen can keep making progress and enjoy all the freedom and growth this season has to offer. If you or your teen is looking for extra support, NOCD offers specialized OCD therapy designed to help teens build skills, confidence, and independence. Get started by booking a free call with our team today.