Intrusive Thoughts
Unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that feel impossible to control — sometimes called 'scary thoughts.'
My child told me they have 'scary thoughts' they can't stop
Your child has come to you — maybe at bedtime, maybe out of nowhere — and told you they have thoughts that scare them. They might not be able to explain them clearly, or they might be crying and saying things like 'my brain won't stop' or 'I keep thinking something bad.' They seem genuinely distressed and possibly ashamed.
They're terrified they might hurt someone even though they never would
Your child has confided — possibly in tears, possibly in a whisper — that they're afraid they might hurt someone. Maybe a sibling, a friend, a pet, or even you. They might be avoiding being alone with certain people, refusing to hold a pencil near someone, or asking you to 'keep them away' from others. They are terrified and may believe they're dangerous.
They feel they're a 'bad person' because of thoughts they can't control
Your child seems weighed down by guilt and shame that you can't quite explain. They may say things like 'I'm a terrible person,' 'You wouldn't love me if you knew what I think,' or 'I don't deserve good things.' They might withdraw, seem depressed, or confess random minor 'wrongs' throughout the day. Underneath it all, OCD has convinced them that their intrusive thoughts define who they are.
My child avoids knives, scissors, or sharp objects because of intrusive thoughts
You've noticed your child refusing to set the table if it involves knives, leaving the room when you're cooking, avoiding scissors during craft projects, or becoming visibly anxious around any sharp objects. They may have told you why — or they may be hiding the reason out of deep shame. The underlying fear is that they might use the object to hurt someone, and the avoidance feels like the only way to keep everyone safe.