How We See Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Your Son at Gateway Academy.

We can help your son as he struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (or OCD), an anxiety disorder distinguished by unsolicited and continual feelings, thoughts and ideas.

His endless cycle of undesirable thoughts (obsessions) leads him to try to resolve them by engaging in compulsive actions. He will know that the thoughts or behaviors are excessive, and yet will get only a passing break by performing the compulsive behaviors.

This can produce even more anxiety, with apprehension of mistakes, illness, dirt, germs, disease, insistence upon precision, unwelcome urge to harm somebody else, objectionable religious or sexual thoughts.

His usual compulsions may be found in excessively ceremonial behavior, like eating in a precise pattern, hoarding things with no true value, repetition of normal acts like hand washing and turning the stove or a light switch on and off, refusal to shake hands.

*Note: while sometimes used synonymously, OCD is not to be confused with OCPD, or Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. An OCD sufferer has unwanted thoughts and understands that they are pointless, while an OCPD sufferer believes his thinking to be natural and proper.

Gateway Academy – Here to Help Your Teen Who Struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Without care, your boy might suffer further problems (although not all caused directly by OCD): depression, eating or anxiety disorders, substance abuse, an overall, poor quality of life, suicidal thoughts (or behavior).

Cognitive behavior therapy is most successful, frequently together with medication, in helping him tackle OCD fears and anxieties in healthy ways.  Anti-depressants that interact with the brain’s serotonin production may be especially helpful in mitigating symptoms of OCD.

Adventure Replaces Risky Behavior, Mentoring Brings Change at Gateway Academy for Boys
Gateway Academy for Boys is a character-building boarding school that offers positive discipline and life-change for boys who’ve gotten off track in life, need discipline and order, and respect for authority and for their loved ones.

Our Teen Challenge achievement lifestyle will allow your son to change for the better, with new drive and a new passion to serve others. We teach self-discipline, the value of academics and trust in God, to boys who arrive without purpose but develop solid direction and goals for their life ahead.  Counseling, team sports, spiritual emphasis and a hands-on mission outreach are offered at The Academy (plus ranch and farm), turning troubled boys into respectful and caring young men

High school diplomas are awarded to our graduates, who will have been assisted in their self-paced, computer based Christian curriculum by certified teachers. Team sports teach critical interpersonal skills of camaraderie and knowing how to work with others, and so we strongly encourage athletic participation with all our students.  Our life changing military format (we were once a Christian military school) creates a pattern of achievement, and includes frequent chapel service, evenings of Bible discussion, and biblical themes interjected into everything we do.

We provide our students with an atmosphere that offers a sense of well-being and ongoing support for those who are troubled by personal, spiritual and academic challenges.  In the classroom, on the exercise field and at the ranch, Gateway Academy is designed for the betterment of each student, and the restoration of the family. Call us at 850 547-9011 so that your son can discover there’s more to life than struggling or fighting with those who care most about him.