Re: Re: DIna--long

[Guest guest]

Hi, Dina. I'm glad you found this group. I am responding to your questions

about friends and family. Yes, I have some who get it and some who don't. I

have two daughters with OCD. Hannah is fourteen and was diagnosed at eleven

after having full blown OCD for a year. She hid it well. My other daughter,

, is eleven, and was diagnosed at seven after showing signs of OCD her

entire life. Hannah was diagnosed about two years after was. I have OCD

also as do several family members including my father. We just recently spent

a week at my parents' house and was on a role. She was very OCD and my

mother was completely irritated by the whole thing. My dad, trying to prove

to me that the kids are fine, kept trying to do things that we don't do like

watch scary tv or go to bed very late. He was horrified when he overheard me

talking to about her OCD. Both of my parents are heartbroken at the

thought that their precious grandbabies could possibly have something wrong with

them and I think that is why they react as they do. My dad, especially, feels

such guilt over the whole " genetic " aspect of it, he can hardly stand it. He

has never been and never will be treated for his OCD but he is aware that he

has it. My mom feels horrible guilt over not realizing that I had it when I was

a kid. I feel sorry for both of them because I know that life could be

better if they would just face a little reality. I do sometimes think back to

when

was first diagnosed. It was a day or so before Christmas Eve and after

struggling with for weeks, I had to leave the house. My parents were

coming into town for the holidays and I left them with the kids while I went to

the movies. When I returned home, my mom and were standing at the

sink. was washing her hands over and over again. My mom just stood there

and handed her paper towel after paper towel. The garbage was so full, it was

clear that all they had done was wash hands all afternoon. I know it was a

crushing thing to my mom. I know she and my father desperately want my kids to

not have OCD and denial is one way they attempt to make it happen. It isn't

right but I do understand a little. I try to talk about it in front of them so

that they will begin to see it as " normal " for us and maybe it helps. As for

the guilt you are feeling over getting frustrated--let yourself off the hook.

Your child is so lucky to have a mom like you watching out for her. Dealing

with OCD is very hard and it never ends. Don't think of all the times you

lose it--think of the many more times you don't. Think of the hours you are

spending trying to get her well and think of all the things you have given up.

It's okay to get upset sometimes--you are under a tremendous amount of

pressure. Your daughter will forgive you. Someday, things will be better.

Things at

my house are much better than they used to be and I know they will get better

still. Pat yourself on the back and tell yourself that you are doing a good

job. You deserve it. Kelley in NV