Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally telling -

[Guest guest]

I offered a new fish as soon as he told me how sad he was about his old one, but

he said it would just make him feel worse. My husband (who isn't supposed to

know any of this) said he could relate, because when we lost his best buddy--our

cat--a few years ago, it was devastating, and he had no desire to get another

one for a long time. A while ago, I offered to put up a memorial for the fish

near the cat's burial place in the backyard. Noah wasn't interested. Who would

have thought that a fish could be a best friend?

" autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

could a new fish be a reward to work towards or just a gift right now

to help lift him???

eileen

Quoting lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...>:

> Laurie,

> Sounds like your daughter really was in danger. I think if my son

> were that specific about knives, I'd take him right in too.

>

> Well, I'm in the midst of another night like last. I finally plopped

> my son in front of the TV at 10:15 because he was just sitting in

> his room in a depressed state choking back the tears, said he

> couldn't go to sleep and was in no shape to do the homework that

> couldn't get done earlier because of baseball practice and dinner.

> See, he copes pretty well all day, but everything breaks loose at

> night (I'm such a good audience, eh?). Again, he kept saying he

> didn't want to live and he figured out a new way to do it, but when

> I calmly asked him what it was he wouldn't tell me. That would ruin

> it if he were ever ready. He has no hope that treatment will work.

> He knows it's worked for others but it won't work for him, he's

> sure. I put in calls to both the psychiatrist and psychologist. No

> response yet. I'm ready to give in to the meds, if only he'd get a

> prescription.

>

> It's so much fun spending night after night talking my son off the ledge.

> Oh, we did have a breakthrough tonight. My son expressed how sad he

> was when his fish died (many many months ago). He felt it was his

> best friend, and he has no real friends (just the superficial boy

> kind). In an effort to clean up his dresser a few months ago, I

> finally cleaned out the aquarium and took it to the garage. I

> believe that was what triggered this whole go-round.

>

> Glad to hear your daughter's doing well. Maybe my son really does

> need more intensive, immediate treatment.We have a very good

> hospital here with a pediatric psych program inpatient and outpatient.

>

>

>

> wallflower <wallflower67@...> wrote:

> She's 12. She did two days inpatient in a crap hole

> (sorry). I wanted her at one hospital and they didn't have beds,

> so we ended up at one that didn't have a huge unit and couldn't

> separate them by age. I then took her out against medical advice

> and put her in a partial hospital program that she just completed

> today. Total time was about 3 weeks.

>

> She has terrible separation anxiety from me, which I know needs

> to be dealt with (and we are slowly getting her over that) but she

> was hysterical being left at the hospital....scared to death. She

> is also a bit immature for her age, and I didn't like that she was

> being exposed to drug users, and some pretty hard core stuff. She

> got some of that in the outpatient hospital too, but not so intense

> since these kids were calmer having been discharged from inpatient.

>

> So combined with her separation anxiety from me and my

> disapproval of the facility, that's why I took her out of the

> inpatient.

>

> She has done well. She has had some therapy, but not OCD

> specific. Mostly learning relaxation techniques and " empowerment

> groups " . She felt safe there.

>

> Not sure she'll follow through with the relaxation tapes. My new

> rule is to do it prior to starting homework, which is a huge stress

> for her. She said it was stupid. I said then be quiet while I do

> it :-)

>

> It does sound like your son might have been a danger to

> himself...but only you know him. With my daughter, she had

> withdrawn from friends and expressed that she would rather be dead

> than go to school. She has intense fears that she's going to stab

> herself with knives. She doesn't want to, but she's afraid she's

> going to, and avoids anything sharp.

>

> Laurie

>

> lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

> How old is she? What was her hospitalization like?

> Could you tell me how long she was in, what happened

> there, etc?

>

>

> --- wallflower wrote:

>

> > Hugs to you. My dd is still sleeping in my bed

> > since her hospitlization. At first I was just

> > supposed to do it so I could sense if she got up

> > during the night to do anything suicidal. Now she's

> > afraid to go back to her bed.

> >

> > Laurie

> >

> > lisa fishman wrote:

> > What encouraging stories. I was so desperate this

> > morning, I just went ahead and told the assistant

> > principal what was going on, without being specific.

> > I

> > told her my son has an anxiety disorder and clinical

> > depression and he needs some slack when it comes to

> > homework assignments and tardiness. She was very

> > supportive and mentioned the formalized

> > accommodations

> > plan (IP?). I will ask our doctor if that would help

> > my son.

> >

> > All this after a night of hell. Yesterday the

> > psychologist gave us an exercise to do. I was to

> > tape

> > a button to a wall and have my son get closer and

> > closer, measuring his anxiety response. How stupid I

> > was to tape the button to his bedroom wall. He

> > freaked

> > out! That was the closest thing to a haven he had.

> > Of

> > course, he never got to the exercise. He scrubbed

> > the

> > wall a few times, screamed at me, talked again about

> > wanting to die.

> > Then somehow we got into the problems with his

> > father.

> > I didn't realize how bad it was. He said he hates

> > him,

> > that he's mean and teases him...maybe some of it's

> > the

> > OCD talking. Anyway, I put the two of them together

> > for a chat, during which my husband denied ever

> > teasing my son or doing anything wrong. He did admit

> > we needed family counseling.

> > We left my son alone for a few minutes. He was in

> > his

> > room looking for ways to hurt himself. I thought of

> > taking him to the hospital but really REALLY didn't

> > want to, because I was so exhausted and he does

> > better

> > by day. Anyway, he wrote a scathing note implicating

> > every one of us in the family and saying a final

> > goodbye. I didn't leave his side the rest of the

> > night

> > until I knew he was asleep.

> > I'm at the end of my rope. Virtual hugs, please!

> >

> > Noah's Mom

> >

> > --- jtlt@... wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 3/21/2007 2:46:56 P.M. Eastern

> > > Standard Time,

> > > bugnsunsmom@... writes:

> > >

> > > I would tell her teachers and then tell her I told

> > > them and

> > > why................................

> > > ..............................................She

> > > was always surprised that

> > > the teachers *LOVED* her the same or more. It made

> > > her more comfortable and

> > > less frightened.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > That's so sweet when they realize that the people

> > > around them who they look

> > > up to accept who they are & don't judge. You can

> > > actually see the

> > > relief/excitement on their little faces.

> > >

> > > Shortly after my dd was diagnosed & put on meds

> > (but

> > > before they were

> > > working & we were in the height of the OCD

> > > craziness) we HAD to explain to our son

> > > what was going on. His bedroom is right next to

> > the

> > > hall bath (where all the

> > > crying & yelling & hysteria occurred on a daily

> > > basis) we could tell he just

> > > tried to ignore it & never asked about it. Our

> > > daughter was, of course,

> > > terrified for him to find out - what if he teases

> > me

> > > about it, what if he says

> > > something to someone on the bus... etc etc (normal

> >

> > > fears experienced by a

> > > younger sibling...).

> > >

> > > She sat upstairs the night we explained everything

> > > to him. And actually, in

> > > the middle of our 'talk', he said to us, " I know,

> > > she has OCD.... I saw the

> > > medication in the kitchen cabinet when I was

> > looking

> > > for something, saw her

> > > name on it and looked it up on the Internet... "

> > > Apparently he had known for a

> > > couple of weeks before we ever said anything to

> > him.

> > > ANYWAY, afterwards,

> > > our daughter came down & they just looked at each

> > > other, I said " ok, we

> > > explained everything to ... " and he went to

> > put

> > > his arm around her and she just

> > > ran into his arms so fast & hard, it nearly

> > knocked

> > > the boy over. They both

> > > said they loved each other, he assured her that he

> > > would never say anything

> > > to anyone (and never has). The relief on her face

> > > was indescribable.

> > >

> > > We came home one day from out & there was the

> > > boychild at the top of the

> > > stairs helping his baby sister through a showering

> > > episode by trying to talk her

> > > through it through the door. It was SO sweet.

> > > LT

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ************************************** AOL now

> > > offers free email to everyone.

> > > Find out more about what's free from AOL at

> > > http://www.aol.com.

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

My daughter is on, but hasn't posted yet. She is not a good speller, and is

sensitive about it. I will encourage her to try again. She will be under my

screen name, wallflower. At least until I feel comfortable getting her her own

screen name

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

The psychiatrist finally called back this morning. I don't think the

psychologist ever picked up his messages! If we didn't know him personally and I

hadn't been told he was the best around for this, I'd consider switching.

Anyway, the MD prescribed Prozac, only 10mg, which I questioned. He said we

should start there and see how it goes. So we are. I'm not thrilled with either

of these doctors being so slow to respond. Don't they know what profession

they're in???

As a matter of fact, I got Noah on the children's board as soon as I could.

Unfortunately, it's not as well trafficked as our board. He's had just one

response. But he was thrilled to get it.

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us to

make that particular day, for religious reasons.

I wish everyone on this board would try to get their kids on the OCDkidsonline.

jtlt@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/22/2007 10:54:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

Again, he kept saying he didn't want to live and he figured out a new way to

do it, but when I calmly asked him what it was he wouldn't tell me. That

would ruin it if he were ever ready. He has no hope that treatment will work. He

knows it's worked for others but it won't work for him, he's sure. I put in

calls to both the psychiatrist and psychologist. No response yet. I'm ready

to give in to the meds, if only he'd get a prescription.

Are you being specific with your messages to both p-docs about his talk of

suicide? I don't know if I'm more shocked, horrified (or could I just be

ignorant on this topic???) that when I child talks like that - both docs don't

jump to and get you ASAP.

I know what you mean about trying meds. That was the first thing out of my

mouth to our first psychologist. I was disappointed at how fast those words

came out of her mouth - on the very first appt!!! I said I wanted to try

EVERYTHING before we attempted meds. Now I know it was just some misguided

opinion I had about them. I don't know if I imagined my dd walking around like a

zombie or gaining 50 pounds overnight or WHAT... but I was dead-set against

them. Until we realized that life would never be under control again just

doing what we were doing (couldn't find anyone qualified in CBT & ERP). Our

2nd psychologist explained it to us this way - if your thoughts & anxiety level

are out of control and you're not capable of rational thought or

concentration, you can never *learn* anything or *reason* about anything. That's

really

what the meds do, and without the meds, the OCDr is unable to rationally

look at the situation. Everything they think & feel is true to them. They

can't step back and see what's really happening and that there ARE things out

there that can help them.

Would your son consider chatting online or getting involved in a message

board for kids? I tried to convince my dd of this early on.... what with the

anonymity of the Internet & all... but she never went for it. I know it's

quite helpful for some kids - talking to someone other than an adult.

Anyway, just some suggestions.

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

dd wants to get on too - only 7 though - and still has male issues

don't know if typing to them is permitted or could be good erp!

eileen

Quoting wallflower <wallflower67@...>:

> My daughter is on, but hasn't posted yet. She is not a good

> speller, and is sensitive about it. I will encourage her to try

> again. She will be under my screen name, wallflower. At least

> until I feel comfortable getting her her own screen name

>

> Laurie

>

> lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

> The psychiatrist finally called back this morning. I don't think

> the psychologist ever picked up his messages! If we didn't know him

> personally and I hadn't been told he was the best around for this,

> I'd consider switching. Anyway, the MD prescribed Prozac, only 10mg,

> which I questioned. He said we should start there and see how it

> goes. So we are. I'm not thrilled with either of these doctors being

> so slow to respond. Don't they know what profession they're in???

>

> As a matter of fact, I got Noah on the children's board as soon as I

> could. Unfortunately, it's not as well trafficked as our board.

> He's had just one response. But he was thrilled to get it.

> There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible

> for us to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

>

> I wish everyone on this board would try to get their kids on the

> OCDkidsonline.

>

>

>

> jtlt@... wrote:

> In a message dated 3/22/2007 10:54:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> noahfsmom@... writes:

>

> Again, he kept saying he didn't want to live and he figured out a new way to

> do it, but when I calmly asked him what it was he wouldn't tell me. That

> would ruin it if he were ever ready. He has no hope that treatment

> will work. He

> knows it's worked for others but it won't work for him, he's sure. I put in

> calls to both the psychiatrist and psychologist. No response yet. I'm ready

> to give in to the meds, if only he'd get a prescription.

>

>

>

> Are you being specific with your messages to both p-docs about his talk of

> suicide? I don't know if I'm more shocked, horrified (or could I just be

> ignorant on this topic???) that when I child talks like that - both

> docs don't

> jump to and get you ASAP.

>

> I know what you mean about trying meds. That was the first thing out of my

> mouth to our first psychologist. I was disappointed at how fast those words

> came out of her mouth - on the very first appt!!! I said I wanted to try

> EVERYTHING before we attempted meds. Now I know it was just some misguided

> opinion I had about them. I don't know if I imagined my dd walking

> around like a

> zombie or gaining 50 pounds overnight or WHAT... but I was dead-set against

> them. Until we realized that life would never be under control again just

> doing what we were doing (couldn't find anyone qualified in CBT & ERP). Our

> 2nd psychologist explained it to us this way - if your thoughts &

> anxiety level

> are out of control and you're not capable of rational thought or

> concentration, you can never *learn* anything or *reason* about

> anything. That's really

> what the meds do, and without the meds, the OCDr is unable to rationally

> look at the situation. Everything they think & feel is true to them. They

> can't step back and see what's really happening and that there ARE things out

> there that can help them.

>

> Would your son consider chatting online or getting involved in a message

> board for kids? I tried to convince my dd of this early on.... what with the

> anonymity of the Internet & all... but she never went for it. I know it's

> quite helpful for some kids - talking to someone other than an adult.

>

> Anyway, just some suggestions.

> LT

>

> ************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

> Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

>

>

[Guest guest]

pets can work wonders - maybe he'll change his mind or a different

kind so it's not a replacement????

eileen

Quoting lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...>:

> I offered a new fish as soon as he told me how sad he was about his

> old one, but he said it would just make him feel worse. My husband

> (who isn't supposed to know any of this) said he could relate,

> because when we lost his best buddy--our cat--a few years ago, it

> was devastating, and he had no desire to get another one for a long

> time. A while ago, I offered to put up a memorial for the fish near

> the cat's burial place in the backyard. Noah wasn't interested. Who

> would have thought that a fish could be a best friend?

>

>

>

> " autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

> could a new fish be a reward to work

> towards or just a gift right now

> to help lift him???

> eileen

>

> Quoting lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...>:

>

> > Laurie,

> > Sounds like your daughter really was in danger. I think if my son

> > were that specific about knives, I'd take him right in too.

> >

> > Well, I'm in the midst of another night like last. I finally plopped

> > my son in front of the TV at 10:15 because he was just sitting in

> > his room in a depressed state choking back the tears, said he

> > couldn't go to sleep and was in no shape to do the homework that

> > couldn't get done earlier because of baseball practice and dinner.

> > See, he copes pretty well all day, but everything breaks loose at

> > night (I'm such a good audience, eh?). Again, he kept saying he

> > didn't want to live and he figured out a new way to do it, but when

> > I calmly asked him what it was he wouldn't tell me. That would ruin

> > it if he were ever ready. He has no hope that treatment will work.

> > He knows it's worked for others but it won't work for him, he's

> > sure. I put in calls to both the psychiatrist and psychologist. No

> > response yet. I'm ready to give in to the meds, if only he'd get a

> > prescription.

> >

> > It's so much fun spending night after night talking my son off the ledge.

> > Oh, we did have a breakthrough tonight. My son expressed how sad he

> > was when his fish died (many many months ago). He felt it was his

> > best friend, and he has no real friends (just the superficial boy

> > kind). In an effort to clean up his dresser a few months ago, I

> > finally cleaned out the aquarium and took it to the garage. I

> > believe that was what triggered this whole go-round.

> >

> > Glad to hear your daughter's doing well. Maybe my son really does

> > need more intensive, immediate treatment.We have a very good

> > hospital here with a pediatric psych program inpatient and outpatient.

> >

> >

> >

> > wallflower <wallflower67@...> wrote:

> > She's 12. She did two days inpatient in a crap hole

> > (sorry). I wanted her at one hospital and they didn't have beds,

> > so we ended up at one that didn't have a huge unit and couldn't

> > separate them by age. I then took her out against medical advice

> > and put her in a partial hospital program that she just completed

> > today. Total time was about 3 weeks.

> >

> > She has terrible separation anxiety from me, which I know needs

> > to be dealt with (and we are slowly getting her over that) but she

> > was hysterical being left at the hospital....scared to death. She

> > is also a bit immature for her age, and I didn't like that she was

> > being exposed to drug users, and some pretty hard core stuff. She

> > got some of that in the outpatient hospital too, but not so intense

> > since these kids were calmer having been discharged from inpatient.

> >

> > So combined with her separation anxiety from me and my

> > disapproval of the facility, that's why I took her out of the

> > inpatient.

> >

> > She has done well. She has had some therapy, but not OCD

> > specific. Mostly learning relaxation techniques and " empowerment

> > groups " . She felt safe there.

> >

> > Not sure she'll follow through with the relaxation tapes. My new

> > rule is to do it prior to starting homework, which is a huge stress

> > for her. She said it was stupid. I said then be quiet while I do

> > it :-)

> >

> > It does sound like your son might have been a danger to

> > himself...but only you know him. With my daughter, she had

> > withdrawn from friends and expressed that she would rather be dead

> > than go to school. She has intense fears that she's going to stab

> > herself with knives. She doesn't want to, but she's afraid she's

> > going to, and avoids anything sharp.

> >

> > Laurie

> >

> > lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

> > How old is she? What was her hospitalization like?

> > Could you tell me how long she was in, what happened

> > there, etc?

> >

> >

> > --- wallflower wrote:

> >

> > > Hugs to you. My dd is still sleeping in my bed

> > > since her hospitlization. At first I was just

> > > supposed to do it so I could sense if she got up

> > > during the night to do anything suicidal. Now she's

> > > afraid to go back to her bed.

> > >

> > > Laurie

> > >

> > > lisa fishman wrote:

> > > What encouraging stories. I was so desperate this

> > > morning, I just went ahead and told the assistant

> > > principal what was going on, without being specific.

> > > I

> > > told her my son has an anxiety disorder and clinical

> > > depression and he needs some slack when it comes to

> > > homework assignments and tardiness. She was very

> > > supportive and mentioned the formalized

> > > accommodations

> > > plan (IP?). I will ask our doctor if that would help

> > > my son.

> > >

> > > All this after a night of hell. Yesterday the

> > > psychologist gave us an exercise to do. I was to

> > > tape

> > > a button to a wall and have my son get closer and

> > > closer, measuring his anxiety response. How stupid I

> > > was to tape the button to his bedroom wall. He

> > > freaked

> > > out! That was the closest thing to a haven he had.

> > > Of

> > > course, he never got to the exercise. He scrubbed

> > > the

> > > wall a few times, screamed at me, talked again about

> > > wanting to die.

> > > Then somehow we got into the problems with his

> > > father.

> > > I didn't realize how bad it was. He said he hates

> > > him,

> > > that he's mean and teases him...maybe some of it's

> > > the

> > > OCD talking. Anyway, I put the two of them together

> > > for a chat, during which my husband denied ever

> > > teasing my son or doing anything wrong. He did admit

> > > we needed family counseling.

> > > We left my son alone for a few minutes. He was in

> > > his

> > > room looking for ways to hurt himself. I thought of

> > > taking him to the hospital but really REALLY didn't

> > > want to, because I was so exhausted and he does

> > > better

> > > by day. Anyway, he wrote a scathing note implicating

> > > every one of us in the family and saying a final

> > > goodbye. I didn't leave his side the rest of the

> > > night

> > > until I knew he was asleep.

> > > I'm at the end of my rope. Virtual hugs, please!

> > >

> > > Noah's Mom

> > >

> > > --- jtlt@... wrote:

> > >

> > > >

> > > > In a message dated 3/21/2007 2:46:56 P.M. Eastern

> > > > Standard Time,

> > > > bugnsunsmom@... writes:

> > > >

> > > > I would tell her teachers and then tell her I told

> > > > them and

> > > > why................................

> > > > ..............................................She

> > > > was always surprised that

> > > > the teachers *LOVED* her the same or more. It made

> > > > her more comfortable and

> > > > less frightened.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > That's so sweet when they realize that the people

> > > > around them who they look

> > > > up to accept who they are & don't judge. You can

> > > > actually see the

> > > > relief/excitement on their little faces.

> > > >

> > > > Shortly after my dd was diagnosed & put on meds

> > > (but

> > > > before they were

> > > > working & we were in the height of the OCD

> > > > craziness) we HAD to explain to our son

> > > > what was going on. His bedroom is right next to

> > > the

> > > > hall bath (where all the

> > > > crying & yelling & hysteria occurred on a daily

> > > > basis) we could tell he just

> > > > tried to ignore it & never asked about it. Our

> > > > daughter was, of course,

> > > > terrified for him to find out - what if he teases

> > > me

> > > > about it, what if he says

> > > > something to someone on the bus... etc etc (normal

> > >

> > > > fears experienced by a

> > > > younger sibling...).

> > > >

> > > > She sat upstairs the night we explained everything

> > > > to him. And actually, in

> > > > the middle of our 'talk', he said to us, " I know,

> > > > she has OCD.... I saw the

> > > > medication in the kitchen cabinet when I was

> > > looking

> > > > for something, saw her

> > > > name on it and looked it up on the Internet... "

> > > > Apparently he had known for a

> > > > couple of weeks before we ever said anything to

> > > him.

> > > > ANYWAY, afterwards,

> > > > our daughter came down & they just looked at each

> > > > other, I said " ok, we

> > > > explained everything to ... " and he went to

> > > put

> > > > his arm around her and she just

> > > > ran into his arms so fast & hard, it nearly

> > > knocked

> > > > the boy over. They both

> > > > said they loved each other, he assured her that he

> > > > would never say anything

> > > > to anyone (and never has). The relief on her face

> > > > was indescribable.

> > > >

> > > > We came home one day from out & there was the

> > > > boychild at the top of the

> > > > stairs helping his baby sister through a showering

> > > > episode by trying to talk her

> > > > through it through the door. It was SO sweet.

> > > > LT

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ************************************** AOL now

> > > > offers free email to everyone.

> > > > Find out more about what's free from AOL at

> > > > http://www.aol.com.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > > removed]

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > __________________________________________________________

> > > Expecting? Get great news right away with email

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> > > Try the Beta.

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> > > Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D., Tamar

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> > > Geller, M.D.,Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D., (

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> > >

[Guest guest]

My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are in the US? We are in

Nebraska.

jtlt@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower <wallflower67@...> wrote: My

I ask what region or state you are in, if you are in the US? We are in

Nebraska.

jtlt@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other weekend

somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are in the

US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Great idea. Maybe some may even be willing to use the phone. It may feel less

anonymous, and harder for me to monitor, but it would be faster for them to

converse.I'll see if the group leader will be willing to announce it at the next

group and distribute our e-mail address.

Gratefully,

jtlt@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

" autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

pets can work wonders - maybe he'll change his mind or a different

kind so it's not a replacement????

eileen

That's funny. I told my husband today that I thought a dog might be a big help

to Noah. He admitted to thinking the same thing but worried that if the dog

attached to one of our other kids instead it could be even more devastating.

We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of us feels

ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

---------------------------------

Finding fabulous fares is fun.

Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel

bargains.

[Guest guest]

My son was very happy to see a few new messages today, even those not addressed

to him. I encouraged him to respond to them all--I believe one is dd of a poster

here. I was especially excited that he asked her how she decided to tell other

people about her OCD, because he's not sure if he wants to. I'm hoping...

" autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

dd wants to get on too - only 7 though - and still has male issues

don't know if typing to them is permitted or could be good erp!

eileen

---------------------------------

Get your own web address.

Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/25/2007 2:51:23 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom@... writes:

We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of us feels

ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

What about a cat? Cats will pretty much go to anyone who will give them a

little love - they especially will pick out the one person in a room of 20 who

HATES cats.. hahaha I truly don't know how they manage to do this, but it'll

happen every time.

The plus side to a cat is that you can take off & leave them alone for up to

3 days & not have to worry... just don't get them used to canned food. My

cat only ate dry food for as long as I had him. I put a big casserole dish of

water out, another of dry food... made sure the litter box was clean and we

were good for 3 days with out worrying about him. Kind of the best of both

worlds.

We're going to surprise our dd with a cat for her 16th birthday (May 1st).

I'd love to give her a dog, but (as much as I hate to admit it.. hee hee

hee....) I think my husband is right - she'll be going to college in just a

couple years - and if she moves out of state, or far away & lives in a dorm or

something... who gets stuck with the pet???? We do!! Not that we don't like

animals, I think my husband is afraid of being tied down to a dog - or extra

expense to kennel it when we go.... you know. I guess he's right. I would

still love to have a little lap dog of some kind.

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

mine just started bugging but I'm trying to put it off too - it is a

big committment -if you do, maybe have him pick it and bring it home

kind of bond with him first??? may not work but???? just thoughts

eileen

Quoting lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...>:

>

>

> " autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

> pets can work wonders - maybe he'll

> change his mind or a different

> kind so it's not a replacement????

> eileen

>

> That's funny. I told my husband today that I thought a dog might be

> a big help to Noah. He admitted to thinking the same thing but

> worried that if the dog attached to one of our other kids instead it

> could be even more devastating.

> We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of

> us feels ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Finding fabulous fares is fun.

> Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find

> flight and hotel bargains.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I hope it helps - how old is he again?

eileen

Quoting lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...>:

>

> My son was very happy to see a few new messages today, even those

> not addressed to him. I encouraged him to respond to them all--I

> believe one is dd of a poster here. I was especially excited that he

> asked her how she decided to tell other people about her OCD,

> because he's not sure if he wants to. I'm hoping...

>

>

>

> " autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

> dd wants to get on too - only 7 though -

> and still has male issues

> don't know if typing to them is permitted or could be good erp!

> eileen

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

>

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter, Beth, just made her first post yesterday. she fought me over it

because typing is so hard for her. I told her they won't care about her

spelling! Anyway, she won't be able to respond until tomorrow because she is at

her dad's today. She's under wallflower, like me.

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

My son was very happy to see a few new messages today, even those not addressed

to him. I encouraged him to respond to them all--I believe one is dd of a poster

here. I was especially excited that he asked her how she decided to tell other

people about her OCD, because he's not sure if he wants to. I'm hoping...

" autumn71A@... " wrote: dd wants to get on too - only 7 though - and

still has male issues

don't know if typing to them is permitted or could be good erp!

eileen

---------------------------------

Get your own web address.

Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

My daughter, Beth, just made her first post yesterday. she fought me over it

because typing is so hard for her. I told her they won't care about her

spelling! Anyway, she won't be able to respond until tomorrow because she is at

her dad's today. She's under wallflower, like me.

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom@...> wrote:

My son was very happy to see a few new messages today, even those not addressed

to him. I encouraged him to respond to them all--I believe one is dd of a poster

here. I was especially excited that he asked her how she decided to tell other

people about her OCD, because he's not sure if he wants to. I'm hoping...

" autumn71A@... " wrote: dd wants to get on too - only 7 though - and

still has male issues

don't know if typing to them is permitted or could be good erp!

eileen

---------------------------------

Get your own web address.

Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

My son is 13 and has OCD and social anxiety. When he was initially

diagnosed we decided to get him a dog.

We thought it would help. At first he was afraid of " dog germs " . he

would pull his sleeves over his hands when trying

To interact with the dog. Finally he must have decided that wasn't good

enough and he started to touch and pet the dog.

The dog also seemed to help with the social anxiety. He didn't view the

dog as a threat and began to interact with the dog.

I believe it helped him. We still struggle and the past few weeks have

seen an exacerbation of his OCD and Social anxiety.

But it seems to wax and wane with him. I do think overall the the dog

was a help to him.

I do have a question. I have heard that people with depression often

have a depressive episode occur at the " change of seasons "

Spring is almost here and my sons OCD and Social anxiety are acting up.

Has anyone heard that OCD and social anxiety often acts up

With the change of season? I was just curious about this? It may just

be a fluke.

He has been sick with a pretty bad sinus infection the past month so

maybe he is a bit run down and that may be why it is acting up.

Any thoughts?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

" autumn71A@frontiern <mailto:autumn71A%40frontiernet.net> et.net "

<autumn71A@frontiern <mailto:autumn71A%40frontiernet.net> et.net> wrote:

pets can work wonders - maybe he'll change his mind or a different

kind so it's not a replacement????

eileen

That's funny. I told my husband today that I thought a dog might be a

big help to Noah. He admitted to thinking the same thing but worried

that if the dog attached to one of our other kids instead it could be

even more devastating.

We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of us

feels ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

---------------------------------

Finding fabulous fares is fun.

Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight

and hotel bargains.

[Guest guest]

My son is 13 and has OCD and social anxiety. When he was initially

diagnosed we decided to get him a dog.

We thought it would help. At first he was afraid of " dog germs " . he

would pull his sleeves over his hands when trying

To interact with the dog. Finally he must have decided that wasn't good

enough and he started to touch and pet the dog.

The dog also seemed to help with the social anxiety. He didn't view the

dog as a threat and began to interact with the dog.

I believe it helped him. We still struggle and the past few weeks have

seen an exacerbation of his OCD and Social anxiety.

But it seems to wax and wane with him. I do think overall the the dog

was a help to him.

I do have a question. I have heard that people with depression often

have a depressive episode occur at the " change of seasons "

Spring is almost here and my sons OCD and Social anxiety are acting up.

Has anyone heard that OCD and social anxiety often acts up

With the change of season? I was just curious about this? It may just

be a fluke.

He has been sick with a pretty bad sinus infection the past month so

maybe he is a bit run down and that may be why it is acting up.

Any thoughts?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

" autumn71A@frontiern <mailto:autumn71A%40frontiernet.net> et.net "

<autumn71A@frontiern <mailto:autumn71A%40frontiernet.net> et.net> wrote:

pets can work wonders - maybe he'll change his mind or a different

kind so it's not a replacement????

eileen

That's funny. I told my husband today that I thought a dog might be a

big help to Noah. He admitted to thinking the same thing but worried

that if the dog attached to one of our other kids instead it could be

even more devastating.

We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of us

feels ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

---------------------------------

Finding fabulous fares is fun.

Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight

and hotel bargains.

[Guest guest]

Anyone From PA in this group?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Guest guest]

Anyone From PA in this group?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Guest guest]

I think spring and fall are supposed to be the worst for exacerbations of mental

illnesses. You'd think spring would be a good thing, but I guess not.

Laurie

I do have a question. I have heard that people with depression often

have a depressive episode occur at the " change of seasons "

Spring is almost here and my sons OCD and Social anxiety are acting up.

Has anyone heard that OCD and social anxiety often acts up

With the change of season? I was just curious about this? It may just

be a fluke.

He has been sick with a pretty bad sinus infection the past month so

maybe he is a bit run down and that may be why it is acting up.

Any thoughts?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

" autumn71A@frontiern et.net "

et.net> wrote:

pets can work wonders - maybe he'll change his mind or a different

kind so it's not a replacement????

eileen

That's funny. I told my husband today that I thought a dog might be a

big help to Noah. He admitted to thinking the same thing but worried

that if the dog attached to one of our other kids instead it could be

even more devastating.

We've toyed with the idea of a dog for a long time, but neither of us

feels ready to make that commitment. The kids have begged for one.

---------------------------------

Finding fabulous fares is fun.

Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight

and hotel bargains.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am in PA. It is a big state. Where are you located?

Joye in Southeastern PA

Allarie <rnherbal@...> wrote:

Anyone From PA in this group?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am from sville, PA between Philadelphia and Reading. And you?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com.> com.> com.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am from sville, PA between Philadelphia and Reading. And you?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com.> com.> com.

[Guest guest]

I am between Philadelphia and the State of Delaware. Actually I am about 1/2

mile from the Delaware border.

Allarie <rnherbal@...> wrote: Hi ,

I am from sville, PA between Philadelphia and Reading. And you?

Re: Re: Keeping OCD a secret...then finally

telling -

Oh,that's too bad. We can't make it either! I would drive every other

weekend somewhere for dd, but 8 hours is a bit much!

Laurie

lisa fishman <noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com>

wrote:

We're in St. Louis, Missouri.

wallflower wrote: My I ask what region or state you are in, if you are

in the US? We are in Nebraska.

jtlt@... <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> <mailto:jtlt%40aol.com> wrote:

In a message dated 3/23/2007 4:39:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

noahfsmom (DOT) <mailto:noahfsmom%40> com writes:

There is one support group for kids in our city, but it's impossible for

us

to make that particular day, for religious reasons.

Maybe you could call the person who organizes the support group, explain

you

can't attend but perhaps some of the kids would like to email with your

son??

LT

************************************** AOL now offers free email to

everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com.> com.> com.