Prevalence and Differentiating OCD from Anxiety

Today we’re unpacking a topic that so many families struggle to understand—Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD—especially when it shows up in children. My guest is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a clinical psychologist and author of the newly updated and revised edition of her seminal book Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In our conversation, Tamar and I talk about how our understanding of OCD has evolved over the past 25 years, what intrusive thoughts really are, and how parents can recognize and respond to them with compassion and clarity. Tamar walks us through her five-step approach for helping kids manage OCD effectively, and she offers a message of hope—reminding us that with the right support, children can learn to take charge of their thoughts and lead full, joyful lives.

About Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D.

Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D., founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, has helped thousands of children overcome fears and gripping mental compulsions. She is also the author of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Freeing Yourself from Anxiety.

Things you'll learn from this episode

• How OCD can deeply impact family life and why awareness and understanding make such a difference

• Why recognizing the difference between typical anxiety and OCD is key to getting the right support

• How intrusive thoughts are more common than many realize—and can be effectively managed with treatment

• Why parents play a central role in helping children navigate OCD using structured, behavior-focused approaches

• How the five-step model empowers families to support change without reinforcing compulsions

• Why education, support, and understanding can ease parental fears and lead to better outcomes for kids

Resources mentioned

• Dr. Tamar Chansky’s website

• Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents (Updated in 2025) by Dr. Tamar  Chansky

• Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness by Dr. Tamar Chansky

• Freeing Yourself from Anxiety: Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries, and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life–from Toddlers to Teens by Dr. Tamar Chansky

• Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety in Plymouth Meeting, PA

• Dr. Tamar Chansky on How to Free Children from Negative Thinking (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast)

• Tamar on Instagram

• Natasha Daniels on Helping Kids Crush OCD (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast)

• Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Overcome OCD With CBT and Exposures by Natasha Daniels

• Filmmaker Chris Baier Helps Families Get Unstuck from OCD (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

• UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie (Available with Spanish, French, Russian, Greek, Portuguese subtitles and an audio description)

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