Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 to " stickitty' mom of Gabi, I think you are handling this very well, you figured out it was ocd, you have already lined up the leading therapist and the appointments, and you have found this list. Emotionally, I know it is another matter, alot to deal with when you think childhood years are by definition care-free. This list helps so much to show you that you are not alone, and to somehow accept that children are not necessarily care-free, and to know that OCD can be treated. It is so much better to know something about the problem, than to be waiting with indefineable worries for a " phase " to pass, or constantly trying to figure out why your child seems different. I think if you try to find some posts from other moms whose kids had a young onset, you'll see that young children are not at all adverse to therapy, and are less likely to feel stigmatized by OCD, so more open and can make good progress. That is the impression I have gotten anyway. I think Terry's posts about Ben demonstrate that (Brousseau), can't think of the others. Let us know how your appointments go-best of luck to you and Gabi! Grace In @y..., stickkitty@a... wrote: > I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing called OCD. My four > and a half year old little girl is suffering from rather severe OCD > symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at an even younger > age. Four days ago I thought the cleaning and organizing in her room > was just a childhood phase. I have now walked on the dark side of > the moon. I can't get her out of her bedroom in the morning. She is > so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's proper place > that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. That is not an > easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help with. She is > afraid if she takes her underwear out of her drawer she won't > remember exactly how to put it back. She lines things up in her room > in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move them. When I try to > help she becomes so upset she rubs her dress back and forth on her > mouth until it is red. She asks me questions over and over about > where her teddy bears should sit and if her dollies are lined up > straight. I found all her dirty clothes shoved in her closet and she > became violent when I wanted to wash them and then kept asking for me > to check the dryer every two minutes. My heart is broken. You think > your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. > > So, I have spent the last four days trying to educate myself as > quickly as possible about OCD. After many phone calls I have found a > doctor in the Seattle area who is supposed to be the leading expert. > He has two clinicians who work for him and they will see her on > Tuesday. The trouble is that she is so little that it is hard for > her to understand exactly what is going on. She is so bright and > precocious, she wanted to know if they call it OCD because CD's are > shaped like an " O " . I don't know if someone this little can have > medication. She seems to be okay if I can get her out of her room > and like to the park or just not in her bedroom. I'm not sure if I > should just try to keep her calm until I can get her to a > psychiatrist or if I should go in her room and have her work on the > OCD issues with me. > > So, I'm am glad I have found this group, I have felt so alone with > all this, and so very sad for my baby. Any comments would be helpful > and greatly appreciated. Thanks, bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 Hi " stickkitty " and welcome! There are quite a few of us here who have (or had) kids diagnosed at very early ages. My son, Ben, was diagnosed at about 5 1/2 yo (he is now 6)and I know he is not the youngest on this list. I can TOTALLY relate to your broken heart - kids are _entitled_ to a care-free existence! And ours look like they are not only missing that, but destined toward an adult life full of their own self imposed jailtime. No matter what age your child is diagnosed with OCD, it IS heart breaking - but NOT hopeless! And that's what this list has been helping me with. Grace is also right, at first I was so devastated that Ben contracted the OCD so young. But now, I am grateful for my husband and I to have the chance to work really hard with him while he is still a much more flexible and malleable child. Read the posts of the folks here with pre-adolecent and adolescent children and you'll see what I mean. As it is FREQUENTLY mentioned here, get the book " Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder " by Dr. Tamar Chansky. It is INCREDIBLY helpful and empowering and will give you some practical info on how to explain OCD to Gabi and how to help her " boss " the OCD back. Find out all you can about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP). The therapist she sees should be quite familiar with these terms if they are authorities on OCD. We, unfortunately, did NOT know about this and spent the first 3 - 4 months with a therapist who tried to get Ben to " talk " about and " identify " his fears. If you haven't already, check out the OC Foundation's web site ocfoundation.org. The other benefit to having a child so young is that they can use their imagination to their benefit when they are trying to boss back the OCD. For example: Ben was playing with his little brother one hot day in the kiddie pool and he began asking a lot of his reassurance questions. I told him that there was a rule that OCD is NOT allowed in the pool and is NOT allowed to spoil his fun. Ben said " that's RIGHT!!! " and he pretended to grab the OCD out of his head, dunked it under the water, twirled it over his head a few times and threw it to the South Pole where it would freeze solid and not be able to bother him. Elaborate...yes...but it worked. I doubt if Ben was 13 right now that he'd be willing to do that...... This is just my own opinion, but just like learning a second language can be much easier for a young child - and even become second nature, I think that learning CBT at a young age MUST be easier and will be more likely to become second nature for them when they are older - the intrusive thoughts spring up and - click - their boss back training springs into action before the thought has a chance to immobilize. It will be a lot of hard work - but I am optimistic that the effort NOW will be SO worth it later. Hang in there and let us know how Gabi's first visit to the therapist goes! Terry in NY > I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing called OCD. My four > and a half year old little girl is suffering from rather severe OCD > symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at an even younger > age. Four days ago I thought the cleaning and organizing in her room > was just a childhood phase. I have now walked on the dark side of > the moon. I can't get her out of her bedroom in the morning. She is > so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's proper place > that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. That is not an > easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help with. She is > afraid if she takes her underwear out of her drawer she won't > remember exactly how to put it back. She lines things up in her room > in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move them. When I try to > help she becomes so upset she rubs her dress back and forth on her > mouth until it is red. She asks me questions over and over about > where her teddy bears should sit and if her dollies are lined up > straight. I found all her dirty clothes shoved in her closet and she > became violent when I wanted to wash them and then kept asking for me > to check the dryer every two minutes. My heart is broken. You think > your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. > > So, I have spent the last four days trying to educate myself as > quickly as possible about OCD. After many phone calls I have found a > doctor in the Seattle area who is supposed to be the leading expert. > He has two clinicians who work for him and they will see her on > Tuesday. The trouble is that she is so little that it is hard for > her to understand exactly what is going on. She is so bright and > precocious, she wanted to know if they call it OCD because CD's are > shaped like an " O " . I don't know if someone this little can have > medication. She seems to be okay if I can get her out of her room > and like to the park or just not in her bedroom. I'm not sure if I > should just try to keep her calm until I can get her to a > psychiatrist or if I should go in her room and have her work on the > OCD issues with me. > > So, I'm am glad I have found this group, I have felt so alone with > all this, and so very sad for my baby. Any comments would be helpful > and greatly appreciated. Thanks, bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 Hi Gabi's mom! You've already gotten such excellent info from Terry and Grace that I just read but I wanted to say " welcome " too! And it's great that Gabi will be seen so soon! I agree that, in my opinion from what I've heard and read, the younger kids seem easier about receiving the ERP therapy. My now 12 y/o son 's severe OCD symptoms came about exactly a year ago now and I sometimes wish it HAD been at a younger age when he'd been more amenable (?) to trying therapy, with that younger-age imagination; after that severe onset, I could look back and see the milder behaviors that he'd always had too. Out of curiousity, had Gabi been sick lately? Since the severity of it came on what seems suddenly? It's so hard to watch when they're upset and tormented by what's going on! And with some people, the behaviors will change over time. Some of the main things was doing the first 2-3 months have gone completely, new behaviors came, some we've managed to lessen, etc. But all in all, he's a lot better now than when OCD hit - from somewhat severe to now mild behaviors. And this will be true for Gabi too!!! Remember to take care of yourself also!! Keep us posted on how the appointment goes! > I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing called OCD. My four > and a half year old little girl is suffering from rather severe OCD > symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at an even younger > age. Four days ago I thought the cleaning and organizing in her room > was just a childhood phase. I have now walked on the dark side of > the moon. I can't get her out of her bedroom in the morning. She is > so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's proper place > that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. That is not an > easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help with. She is > afraid if she takes her underwear out of her drawer she won't > remember exactly how to put it back. She lines things up in her room > in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move them. When I try to > help she becomes so upset she rubs her dress back and forth on her > mouth until it is red. She asks me questions over and over about > where her teddy bears should sit and if her dollies are lined up > straight. I found all her dirty clothes shoved in her closet and she > became violent when I wanted to wash them and then kept asking for me > to check the dryer every two minutes. My heart is broken. You think > your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. > > So, I have spent the last four days trying to educate myself as > quickly as possible about OCD. After many phone calls I have found a > doctor in the Seattle area who is supposed to be the leading expert. > He has two clinicians who work for him and they will see her on > Tuesday. The trouble is that she is so little that it is hard for > her to understand exactly what is going on. She is so bright and > precocious, she wanted to know if they call it OCD because CD's are > shaped like an " O " . I don't know if someone this little can have > medication. She seems to be okay if I can get her out of her room > and like to the park or just not in her bedroom. I'm not sure if I > should just try to keep her calm until I can get her to a > psychiatrist or if I should go in her room and have her work on the > OCD issues with me. > > So, I'm am glad I have found this group, I have felt so alone with > all this, and so very sad for my baby. Any comments would be helpful > and greatly appreciated. Thanks, bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 Welcome to the group! This list has been a great help to me on our families journey through OCD. I know you will find it helpful too. I live in the Seattle area also. I am curious as to who you are taking your child to. I am always looking for new Dr.s who are familiar with OCD and how they treat this disorder. Vivian in WA ST with son (17 dx at 12) --- stickkitty@... wrote: > I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing > called OCD. My four > and a half year old little girl is suffering from > rather severe OCD > symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at > an even younger > age. Four days ago I thought the cleaning and > organizing in her room > was just a childhood phase. I have now walked on > the dark side of > the moon. I can't get her out of her bedroom in the > morning. She is > so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's > proper place > that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. > That is not an > easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help > with. She is > afraid if she takes her underwear out of her drawer > she won't > remember exactly how to put it back. She lines > things up in her room > in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move > them. When I try to > help she becomes so upset she rubs her dress back > and forth on her > mouth until it is red. She asks me questions over > and over about > where her teddy bears should sit and if her dollies > are lined up > straight. I found all her dirty clothes shoved in > her closet and she > became violent when I wanted to wash them and then > kept asking for me > to check the dryer every two minutes. My heart is > broken. You think > your child will have a certain life and then it is > all changed. > > So, I have spent the last four days trying to > educate myself as > quickly as possible about OCD. After many phone > calls I have found a > doctor in the Seattle area who is supposed to be the > leading expert. > He has two clinicians who work for him and they will > see her on > Tuesday. The trouble is that she is so little that > it is hard for > her to understand exactly what is going on. She is > so bright and > precocious, she wanted to know if they call it OCD > because CD's are > shaped like an " O " . I don't know if someone this > little can have > medication. She seems to be okay if I can get her > out of her room > and like to the park or just not in her bedroom. > I'm not sure if I > should just try to keep her calm until I can get her > to a > psychiatrist or if I should go in her room and have > her work on the > OCD issues with me. > > So, I'm am glad I have found this group, I have felt > so alone with > all this, and so very sad for my baby. Any comments > would be helpful > and greatly appreciated. Thanks, bye for now. > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 To stickkitty <I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing called OCD. My four and a half year old little girl is suffering from rather severe OCD symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at an even younger age. > I to am new to this group. My son has had symptoms at an early age but after a day or two he seemed to get better. Now he was just diagnosed with OCD August 28 th. <She is so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's proper place that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. That is not an easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help with. > Please get help for her. My son is 10 and it torments both of us for several months before we seen a specialist for a diagnosis. It is hear wrenching to watch and see the pain there in. I just want to hold my son and make it better. <She lines things up in her room in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move them. > When my son was 3 he did the same thing for a few days. He now keeps things neat in his room or back pack. Lines up his alarm clock with his bed it must be perfect. <My heart is broken. You think your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. > I am feeling the same way. (((((HUG)))))) a hug for you from me. Tammy from Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2001 Report Share Posted September 1, 2001 Dear Gabi's mother, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with Gabi. You have definetly come to the right place - we've all been exactly where you are now. Many of us have children who first got very sick with OCD as four year olds, and many of them were medicated at that age. A combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy is very effective, and you can be sure that things will get better. Many of our children are very bright and precocious like your daughter (I loved the comment about the CDs!!!!) and you may be surprised at what your daughter will understand. There are many good books out there (check the OCFoundation web site) that help explain it to small children. Your daughter's intelligence will probably help her to fight the OCD - it has definetly been a plus for my daughter that she is very verbal and capable of discussing what is going on in her head. My own daughter had an abrupt onset of OCD when she was four also, as a result of encephalitis (she was clearly predisposed to it, but was "normal" until then). She has been on medication for about a year and a half and in therapy for that long as well. Unfortunately it took us several years to get a diagnosis. She is now almost nine and doing quite well. In fact, the OCD is not really her biggest problem anymore. So have hope, and continue to do the amazing job you have already done (four days and you've already found doctors!!!!). Your daughter WILL get better. And you will survive. I know this is the saddest and hardest thing you could have imagined. I still have moments of anguish about my daughter and how her life will be ten years from now, but believe me, it gets better!! Keep in touch and let us know how things are going. in Reno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2001 Report Share Posted September 2, 2001 Hi, Mom of Gabi, I am so sympathetic for you and Gabi. She sounds like such a terrific, bright little girl. My situation is different in that onset of OCD in my son didn't occur until age 13. So I don't have words of wisdom dealing with a small child. But, I wanted to say that I am impressed with all you have done so quickly to address the problem. I feel sure you will make progress quickly. Alot of people feel treating someone young can be more successful than treating a teen (who have attitudes and hormones, ad nauseum). Anyway, welcome to the group. I know you will find information and incredible support here. We have all experienced the realization, " You think your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. " I would encourage you to get a copy of Dr. Chansky's book, " Freeing Your Child from OCD " . It is a great book! In it on pg. 14 is a poem entitled, " Welcome to Holland " by Perl Kindsley. Read it...it will help you during this adjustment period. I still reread it frenquently. Again, welcome to the group. Keep us posted Melinda S. Dallas > I'm new to this group and alas new to the thing called OCD. My four > and a half year old little girl is suffering from rather severe OCD > symptoms. Looking back, I know she had trouble at an even younger > age. Four days ago I thought the cleaning and organizing in her room > was just a childhood phase. I have now walked on the dark side of > the moon. I can't get her out of her bedroom in the morning. She is > so afraid that everything isn't right, isn't in it's proper place > that she becomes inconsolable. She is tormented. That is not an > easy thing to watch, let alone not be able to help with. She is > afraid if she takes her underwear out of her drawer she won't > remember exactly how to put it back. She lines things up in her room > in geometric patterns and won't let anyone move them. When I try to > help she becomes so upset she rubs her dress back and forth on her > mouth until it is red. She asks me questions over and over about > where her teddy bears should sit and if her dollies are lined up > straight. I found all her dirty clothes shoved in her closet and she > became violent when I wanted to wash them and then kept asking for me > to check the dryer every two minutes. My heart is broken. You think > your child will have a certain life and then it is all changed. > > So, I have spent the last four days trying to educate myself as > quickly as possible about OCD. After many phone calls I have found a > doctor in the Seattle area who is supposed to be the leading expert. > He has two clinicians who work for him and they will see her on > Tuesday. The trouble is that she is so little that it is hard for > her to understand exactly what is going on. She is so bright and > precocious, she wanted to know if they call it OCD because CD's are > shaped like an " O " . I don't know if someone this little can have > medication. She seems to be okay if I can get her out of her room > and like to the park or just not in her bedroom. I'm not sure if I > should just try to keep her calm until I can get her to a > psychiatrist or if I should go in her room and have her work on the > OCD issues with me. > > So, I'm am glad I have found this group, I have felt so alone with > all this, and so very sad for my baby. Any comments would be helpful > and greatly appreciated. Thanks, bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2001 Report Share Posted September 2, 2001 Hi, I can sympathize with your broken heart over your little girl Gabbi. I didn't read your post, however gathered some info from reading others responses to you. My son Jake 4 years old just diagnosed with OCD. I felt like my world had crashed. I felt sad for him having to suffer this terrible disease and at the same time wondering if in fact it was something we were doing as parents to cause this. With therapy we have all come to realize that it is real and we all need to fight back. The road seems hard and long, but, when we have those small successes we thank God for that day! We also noticed symptoms back when he was 2 years old. I haven't heard of many with such young children, that makes it difficult. It does help when someone else talks about something their child is doing and I realize that Jake does that too--makes me feel a bit better that it is not just him, and I'm not crazy. Hope you'll find support here! O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.