(Re: new therapists)

[Guest guest]

!

If I were in your shoes, I'd get a CLEAN SLATE and start over. We

all deserve THAT!

Have you gotten a diagnosis yet (other than the bogus 'it's your

marriage stuff?') The first thing you need to do is Get A Diagnosis.

You know that I'm no expert, but I'm presuming that that means to go

to the PSYCHIATRIST first and tell him 's symptoms, family

medical history, etc.

Second, ask him/her when you should start therapy. You really can't

start therapy until you get a diagnosis.

Then, when you do get a diagnosis (and if it IS OCD) - do what I

did: I called the therapist that was recommended by 's

psychiatrist with a quick phone call: " Do you do ERP therapy? " I

waited, because I figured that if she didn't know what that meant--

MOVE ON! She knew exactly what it was and proceeded IMMEDIATELY

with ERP (too quick, I might add-- working with his #1 fear! LOL) Oh

well... I didn't fault her for that. I almost dumped her like a hot

potatoe because she's YOUNG with ONE little infant, but she does have

her PHD. I figured that's GOT TO COUNT for something! Then, as

and Kathy suggested, I did the 5 appointment rule (in my book,

it's 3 strikes and yerrrrr OUT, but hey.. I do have a heart!

She's been doing great. She could do a little better, and since

she's employed by ME-- I WILL tell her so. For two sessions in a row

now, she's had go out and touch rocks and dirt outside of her

office (she goes w/ him). I don't see the correlation between dirt

and his *germ* fear, but he IS getting better, so maybe there's

something there. Afterall, she can't fake a cold (or can she?) or

put a germ in a dish and make him touch it.

Anyway, I digress....

Blaming it (OCD/or any mental illness) on the marriage is CRAP.

and I have been at each other's THROATS since 's OCD got

so bad. Abusive to each other? You bet! LOL At times, I was ready

to strangle ANYONE in my way, including HIM! And he wanted to punch

my lights out at times too!!! 's new therapist suggested

marriage counseling to us too, and let it go. She knew what her job

was: 's Therapist. End of Story.

When he was in between meds one session (he had been off of Celexa

for 2 weeks, 4 days, 3 hours, 15 minutes and 2 SECONDS!!! and we were

foaming at the mouth by this point!!!) Anyway, I broke down and

booooo hooooo'd - right there, during my 10 minutes w/ her and

. I told her " You have no idea how hard this has been on the

entire family. It's wrecked HAVOC in my marriage, my other children,

MYSELF, even my extended family-- who TRY to help, but keep blaming

it on 'something and I are doing!' She said, " I understand.

OCD (or any severe mental illness) can take a perfectly good marriage

DOWN THE TOILET. Do you have a support group? " Yes, I do ****hugs

to all****

Start over-- get a CLEAN SLATE. And remember YOU employ them and YOU

call the shots.

Once again, I'll be interested in what advises

(((HUGS and LOTS OF SUPPORT to YOU!!)))

Joni