Emergency Resources
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 — available 24/7, free and confidential
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 — free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text
IOCDF Resources
International OCD Foundation — find specialized help and support groups at iocdf.org
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357 — free referrals and information, 24/7, 365 days
When to Go to the ER
Go to your nearest emergency room or call 911 if:
- Your child is expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Your child is physically hurting themselves during an OCD episode
- Your child is unable to eat, drink, or function for an extended period
- You feel unable to keep your child safe
- Your child has ingested something harmful as part of a compulsion
- There is any risk of immediate physical danger to your child or others
During a Severe OCD Episode
When your child is in acute distress, focus on safety and presence:
- 1
Keep your voice calm and low
Your child's anxiety is already at peak. A calm voice helps regulate their nervous system.
- 2
Don't try to reason with OCD in the moment
Logic doesn't work during a crisis. Save problem-solving for when the wave has passed.
- 3
Be physically present without engaging with rituals
Stay nearby. Let them know you're there. Don't participate in or encourage compulsions.
- 4
Validate the feeling, not the fear
Try: "I can see you're really scared right now. That must be so hard. I'm right here."
- 5
Wait for the wave to pass, then offer comfort
Anxiety always peaks and then comes down. It may take 20-45 minutes. Be patient.
What NOT to Do During a Crisis
Don't force your child to stop the ritual by physical means
Physical intervention increases panic and can damage trust.
Don't yell or express frustration at the OCD behavior
Your child isn't choosing this. Anger adds shame to an already painful experience.
Don't try to use logic to argue with OCD
"But the door IS locked" doesn't help — OCD isn't rational.
Don't leave your child alone if they're distressed
Your presence provides safety, even if you can't fix it.
Don't give ultimatums or threats
"If you don't stop, we're not going" adds pressure that worsens the cycle.
Don't compare them to siblings or other children
This increases shame and doesn't motivate change.
After the Crisis
Once the acute distress has passed (it always does), take these next-day steps:
Contact your child's therapist to debrief
Share what happened so they can adjust the treatment plan if needed.
Log the episode in your tracker
Recording details while they're fresh helps you and your therapist see patterns.
Talk with your child when they're calm
Use externalizing language: "OCD was really loud last night, huh? That must have been exhausting."
Take care of yourself
These episodes are traumatic for parents too. Talk to someone, rest, be kind to yourself.
Remember: crises are temporary
Even the worst episodes end. They don't erase progress. Recovery isn't linear.
International Resources
United Kingdom
Samaritans: 116 123
Free, 24/7
Canada
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988
24/7
Australia
Lifeline: 13 11 14
24/7
New Zealand
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
24/7
Ireland
Samaritans: 116 123
Free, 24/7
India
Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-2662-345
24/7
South Africa
SADAG: 0800 567 567
24/7
Germany
Telefonseelsorge: 0800 111 0 111
Free, 24/7
France
SOS Amitie: 09 72 39 40 50
24/7
Japan
TELL Lifeline: 03-5774-0992
Daily 9am-11pm
Need guidance, not emergency help?
Our AI Coach can help you navigate difficult OCD moments with evidence-based strategies.
This page provides emergency contact information as a public service. OCD Parent Coach is not a crisis service and does not provide emergency intervention. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.