This one's for the parents.
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller tackle one of the most common questions they hear from families - I think my child might have OCD. Where do I even start?
The episode begins with Celin sharing a moment from a school tour with her three-year-old daughter — catching herself wondering whether her daughter's leaf-counting was a compulsion, before laughing and pulling herself back. It's a perfect illustration of what happens when you know too much. And also of the core question this episode explores: how do you tell the difference between normal childhood behaviour and something worth paying attention to?
They walk through the watch, wait, wonder principle — why not rushing in to diagnose, label, or rescue is often the most helpful thing a parent can do. They explore what normal development looks like at different ages, why the 7–12 age group is when OCD most commonly first emerges, and what the telltale signs are that something has shifted from typical childhood anxiety to something more persistent.
They also get practical — what to do if you're worried, who to talk to, and which resources are worth your time.
Warm, funny, honest, and genuinely useful. Whether you're a parent with questions, a clinician who works with families, or someone who grew up with OCD and is finally making sense of it — this one's for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
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