Introductory Long Post

[Guest guest]

Hi, I wrote before about my 16 yr. old son. He was diagnosed with

OCD when he was about 13. He had the symptoms now when I look back

since he was about 1 l/2 yrs. old. I didn't know what was wrong with

him and it was awful. When he was in grade school, he had to do some

touching and reassuring but nothing that interfered with his life. I

thought it would pass. Well, by the time he was 13 (8th grade) it

was terrible. He had to constantly touch things over and over, and

re-read all the time, and was So anxious. He had fits of fustration

and was beside himself. He was put on Luvox. Things were better but

not good. He did very well in 9th grade, did sports, had many

friends, it was great. But two weeks into 10 grade, the bottom fell

out. I guess he just couldn't handle hiding his OCD from friends,

the symptoms got worse (touching his locker and deathly afraid

someone would notice and ridicule him). He also had paranoia. I was

so afraid for him and so sick inside. He had to leave school, was

admitted to hospital (severe depression) and then went to an

outpatient clinic which was useless as it had mainly drug-problem

kids. He signed up for night school this Sept., went for two months,

and quit. Says he can't go because of severe anxieties (he has

social anxiety). He sees an excellent pyschogist who specializes in

adolescent problems (OCD), takes Luvox, Buspar, and Wellbutrin. The

Pysciatrist says he might switch him to Paxil, if this increase in

Luvox doesn't work. Thank you for listening. If you have any advice

for me I'd love to hear it. One more question, do you mothers work

outside the home? I do not work (quit a good job I just started when

he had to go in hospital) and feel guilty at the thought of leaving

him and going to a job. Please help me.