Imps of the Mind Gone Awry: Obsessive Compulsive DisorderImps of the Mind Gone Awry: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
All In The Mind
Rituals, checking the stove, repetitive thoughts. Everyday patterns for all of us, but when they go awry, the impact of these imps of the mind is devastating and life-consuming. This week, a provocative theory with new, convincing science - could Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in some children be triggered by a common bout of strep throat? And, nipping the obsessions and compulsions in the bud - one parent's story, and a pilot project already changing the lives of young people plagued by OCD.
29:46•18 Nov 2006
Imps of the Mind: Childhood OCD, Strep Links and Early Help
Episode Overview
- OCD in children can turn everyday routines into exhausting, hour-long rituals driven by contamination fears and intrusive thoughts.
- Early intervention with cognitive behavioural therapy and group support helps young people understand OCD, reduce rituals and tolerate obsessive thoughts.
- A small subgroup of children may show sudden, severe OCD symptoms potentially linked to strep throat, described as PANDAS, though this remains controversial.
- Genetic vulnerability and environmental factors both appear to play a role in OCD, with treatment often combining psychological therapy and serotonin-based antidepressants.
- Parents may struggle to find suitable help, but specialised programmes and meeting others with OCD can reduce secrecy and bring a sense of normality.
“"They go from being perfectly healthy to completely incapacitated within 24 to 48 hours."”
What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? This episode of *All In The Mind* turns the spotlight on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), especially how it plays out in young people’s lives. You’ll first hear Morris, a 14-year-old whose day is consumed by hour-long showers, harsh cleaning products and endless washing, leaving his hands red, his friendships gone and his parents in tears.
His story sets the tone: OCD isn’t just quirky habits; it can be utterly exhausting and isolating. Psychologist Catherine Ianson from the Anxiety Recovery Centre in Melbourne explains OCD as intrusive, distressing thoughts that drive compulsive rituals. She points out that kids often know their behaviour is irrational but feel completely stuck, describing OCD as “extraordinarily disabling” in severe cases.
She also talks through early intervention using cognitive behavioural therapy and group work, helping teens “devalue the rituals” and learn to let obsessive thoughts sit without reacting to them. Professor David Castle adds clinical context: OCD can build slowly from childhood, may have genetic and environmental roots, and is often treated with a mix of psychological therapy and serotonin-boosting antidepressants. He stresses there’s no single magic fix, but combined approaches can make a real difference.
The episode then shifts to Dr Susan Sweeto from the US National Institute of Mental Health, who outlines a controversial theory: that a small subgroup of children might develop sudden, severe OCD after a common bout of strep throat, in a pattern labelled PANDAS. She describes kids who go from “perfectly healthy to completely incapacitated within 24 to 48 hours”, and talks about immune responses that may mistakenly target brain tissue.
A mother’s candid account of her daughter’s rituals, fears and eventual support through a pilot programme rounds things off with honesty and hope. If OCD has touched your family, could hearing these stories and explanations be the first step towards asking for help?
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