Re: After OCD - what's next?

[Guest guest]

My daughter very much has both OCD and bipolar. She had problems with

anxiety, OCD, and depression first. Bipolar was added last year when she was

cycling between depression and mania. She gets the anxiety strongly in the

middle

of this too. She is currently in a bipolar flare and still has problems with

the anxiety. The OCD, though, seems to flare separate from the bipolar, but

the anxiety occurs during both. Good luck. Kim

In a message dated 12/15/2007 11:53:52 A.M. Central Standard Time,

thiin_white_duke@... writes:

Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes

(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

[Guest guest]

My daughter very much has both OCD and bipolar. She had problems with

anxiety, OCD, and depression first. Bipolar was added last year when she was

cycling between depression and mania. She gets the anxiety strongly in the

middle

of this too. She is currently in a bipolar flare and still has problems with

the anxiety. The OCD, though, seems to flare separate from the bipolar, but

the anxiety occurs during both. Good luck. Kim

In a message dated 12/15/2007 11:53:52 A.M. Central Standard Time,

thiin_white_duke@... writes:

Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes

(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have three kids, one diagnosed with ocd, and mood disorder nos, another

diagnosed with ocd, bipolar, add,odd, pdd-nos, and panic disorder, and my oldest

child has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder(possibly ocd, but they don't

want to go that far yet).

Hugs

Judy

Lovin Life <thiin_white_duke@...> wrote: Hi,

I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in addition to

OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was on

meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it, but

not to the level that she had. However, she is now being treated for

bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws a

three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not bipoloar,

but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate areas

of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that one

does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that developed

later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage behavior

has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for independence. She

has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will. She

wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen. So

life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when OCD was

raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child, but for

different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes which is

helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc said we

need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi, the exact same thing happened with my 13 year old nephew. First

he was on an SSRI starting at about age 10 for OCD type thinking (I

think zoloft, others tried I think in conjuction included strattera)

and then this Fall (seventh grade) it got to where he was getting

explosive and he was put on Abilify and taken off the SSRI. I am

wondering if the SSRI made him manic as I have heard that can

sometimes happen. However, my sister thinks he is bipolar because she

thinks her mother-in-law was. So it is complicated to figure out with

differing opinions, but I did want you to know, it was the same

pattern. Also I know of another child who was treated for ADHD as a

preschooler and then became bipolar in elementary. It is hard to know

when they've been taking meds so early, if it's the meds or genetics.

I don't mean to sound judgemental, I take an SSRI myself I just

wanted to point out the possible relationship and at any rate, my

nephew's past seems to parallel your child's. Best of luck, it's not

easy, but I can tell you that these few weeks with Abilify is making

my sister quite happy as her son is no longer showing manic type

behavior. He did have a bit of depression/withdrawl from the SSRI.

>

> Hi,

>

> I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in addition to

> OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was on

> meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it, but

> not to the level that she had. However, she is now being treated for

> bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws a

> three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not bipoloar,

> but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate areas

> of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that one

> does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

>

> So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that developed

> later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage behavior

> has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for independence. She

> has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will. She

> wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen. So

> life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when OCD was

> raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child, but for

> different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes which is

> helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc said we

> need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

>

> Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, the exact same thing happened with my 13 year old nephew. First

he was on an SSRI starting at about age 10 for OCD type thinking (I

think zoloft, others tried I think in conjuction included strattera)

and then this Fall (seventh grade) it got to where he was getting

explosive and he was put on Abilify and taken off the SSRI. I am

wondering if the SSRI made him manic as I have heard that can

sometimes happen. However, my sister thinks he is bipolar because she

thinks her mother-in-law was. So it is complicated to figure out with

differing opinions, but I did want you to know, it was the same

pattern. Also I know of another child who was treated for ADHD as a

preschooler and then became bipolar in elementary. It is hard to know

when they've been taking meds so early, if it's the meds or genetics.

I don't mean to sound judgemental, I take an SSRI myself I just

wanted to point out the possible relationship and at any rate, my

nephew's past seems to parallel your child's. Best of luck, it's not

easy, but I can tell you that these few weeks with Abilify is making

my sister quite happy as her son is no longer showing manic type

behavior. He did have a bit of depression/withdrawl from the SSRI.

>

> Hi,

>

> I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in addition to

> OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was on

> meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it, but

> not to the level that she had. However, she is now being treated for

> bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws a

> three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not bipoloar,

> but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate areas

> of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that one

> does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

>

> So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that developed

> later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage behavior

> has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for independence. She

> has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will. She

> wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen. So

> life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when OCD was

> raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child, but for

> different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes which is

> helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc said we

> need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

>

> Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

I don't think ocd and bipolar are in completely separate areas of the

brain, or rather I don't know, because how can that be known? It

would make more sense for a medical provider to say he does not

exactly know, or that research has implicated certain brain areas,

neurotransmitters etc, and the cause of any brain disorders is not

yet clear.

Ocd can be present with bipolar, with schizophrenia, with tourettes,

with adhd, with autism, so on. I have even read that the incidence

of ocd is higher in children with downs syndrome. To me it seems that

there is some relationship between these different disorders, or that

a vulnerability in the brain neurology or biochemistry is making the

individual more subject to one brain disorder if another is present.

So I think comobidity is more common than a singular, clear-cut, one-

disorder diagnosis.

In my children I feel ocd is associated with both ticciness and with

impulsive temper and hard to control anger. Yet we also deal with

timidity and social anxiety. If this is not an offensive comparison-

I'd also add that timid dogs are more likely to become aggressive or

to bite than more relaxed dogs. Their fear response is greater and

adrenaline causes retreat or agression. Similarly I think ocd can be

associated with an out-of-sync flight or fight response-thus

aggression or acting out, rage etc- because everyday things become

feared or avoided dangers or triggers, or blocking a ritual is like

an intense violation.

The agression or release of adrenaline (rage, explosive behavior

tantrum etc) could be the same release that would occur in a true

danger situation, and which we would not thus condemn, but in an ocd

situation we perceive it as uncalled for b/c we do not judge the

trigger to be worthy of such a response (rage etc). So it may seem

like mood disorder(and maybe it is in part). Yet an adrenaline surge

generates those type explosive responses-whether the trigger is

irrational or not.

I think untreated ocd (esp when also associated with ticciness which

causes more impulsivity apparently) could look like, or even be

related to bi-polar type behaviors (sudden anger, mood switiches,

agression) because in both cases the brain has irregular(hyper?)

activity causing more sensitive or out of sync responsiveness. With

treatment I guess the idea is in part that knowledge (it is only ocd-

or this is a manic episode) will moderate the sort of reflexive

responses/behaviors. (And also ritual prevention in the case of ocd).

Just my thoughts on the agression/rage/ moodiness aspects. I have

tried to differentiate between what I call " neurological temper " vs

just bad or nasty mood in my kids I guess. Not excusing the behavior

but knowing that it requires a different type of approach or

understanding.

nancy grace

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in addition

to

> > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

on

> > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

but

> > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being treated

for

> > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws a

> > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

bipoloar,

> > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

areas

> > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

one

> > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> >

> > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that developed

> > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

behavior

> > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for independence.

She

> > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

She

> > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen. So

> > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when OCD

was

> > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child, but

for

> > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

which is

> > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc said

we

> > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> >

> > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I don't think ocd and bipolar are in completely separate areas of the

brain, or rather I don't know, because how can that be known? It

would make more sense for a medical provider to say he does not

exactly know, or that research has implicated certain brain areas,

neurotransmitters etc, and the cause of any brain disorders is not

yet clear.

Ocd can be present with bipolar, with schizophrenia, with tourettes,

with adhd, with autism, so on. I have even read that the incidence

of ocd is higher in children with downs syndrome. To me it seems that

there is some relationship between these different disorders, or that

a vulnerability in the brain neurology or biochemistry is making the

individual more subject to one brain disorder if another is present.

So I think comobidity is more common than a singular, clear-cut, one-

disorder diagnosis.

In my children I feel ocd is associated with both ticciness and with

impulsive temper and hard to control anger. Yet we also deal with

timidity and social anxiety. If this is not an offensive comparison-

I'd also add that timid dogs are more likely to become aggressive or

to bite than more relaxed dogs. Their fear response is greater and

adrenaline causes retreat or agression. Similarly I think ocd can be

associated with an out-of-sync flight or fight response-thus

aggression or acting out, rage etc- because everyday things become

feared or avoided dangers or triggers, or blocking a ritual is like

an intense violation.

The agression or release of adrenaline (rage, explosive behavior

tantrum etc) could be the same release that would occur in a true

danger situation, and which we would not thus condemn, but in an ocd

situation we perceive it as uncalled for b/c we do not judge the

trigger to be worthy of such a response (rage etc). So it may seem

like mood disorder(and maybe it is in part). Yet an adrenaline surge

generates those type explosive responses-whether the trigger is

irrational or not.

I think untreated ocd (esp when also associated with ticciness which

causes more impulsivity apparently) could look like, or even be

related to bi-polar type behaviors (sudden anger, mood switiches,

agression) because in both cases the brain has irregular(hyper?)

activity causing more sensitive or out of sync responsiveness. With

treatment I guess the idea is in part that knowledge (it is only ocd-

or this is a manic episode) will moderate the sort of reflexive

responses/behaviors. (And also ritual prevention in the case of ocd).

Just my thoughts on the agression/rage/ moodiness aspects. I have

tried to differentiate between what I call " neurological temper " vs

just bad or nasty mood in my kids I guess. Not excusing the behavior

but knowing that it requires a different type of approach or

understanding.

nancy grace

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in addition

to

> > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

on

> > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

but

> > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being treated

for

> > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws a

> > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

bipoloar,

> > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

areas

> > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

one

> > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> >

> > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that developed

> > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

behavior

> > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for independence.

She

> > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

She

> > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen. So

> > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when OCD

was

> > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child, but

for

> > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

which is

> > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc said

we

> > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> >

> > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I appreciate your thoughts on this . I have read many things

about ocd/bipolar/behavioral issues, and it would certainly seem that

there is something brain-based going on, while the cause, or

contributing factors may differ.

Our son, 16, with OCD, and ???, had hypomania, or hypomanic symptoms

induced by high dose of sri celexa. The question in my mind, is can

a drug induce something that is not already there, but is perhaps

latent (we have a history of bipolar in our family). Questions

abound re what part ocd/other, medication, teen stuff play in this

endless cycle of challenges.

Our treatment " team " focuses on behavior and consequences for problem

behavior, which from what I've seen makes no difference when a kid

feels compelled to do something because of an ocd issue, however

there do have to be consequences. Our son continues to report that

he feels unable to stop and says no consequence will stop him.

Fortunately the problem behavior usually " switches " after 6-8 weeks,

unfortunately it is not always to something much better. CBT has just

been started, again, and our hope is that in time some insight will

develop and strategies will follow.

In the mean time our frustration remains what do you do when no one

can be clear what is what, and has no real strategies to assist you

in dealing with the problem behavior? We have removed our child from

our home because of his behavior,as was recommended, in fact the

recommendation was to a homeless shelter!!!He lives with his

grandparents where there are less ocd triggers, and less issues in

general, but problem behavior continues...

It would seem sometimes all you can do is wait it out and hope it

gets better after the teen years. I don't see as many people writing

in about their children after the teen years, so I'm guessing/hoping

that by then the ocd/problems have improved or moved on, or out of

their house!

Barb

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

addition

> to

> > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

> on

> > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

> but

> > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

treated

> for

> > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws

a

> > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> bipoloar,

> > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> areas

> > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> one

> > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> > >

> > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

developed

> > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> behavior

> > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

independence.

> She

> > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

> She

> > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

So

> > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

OCD

> was

> > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

but

> for

> > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> which is

> > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

said

> we

> > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > >

> > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I appreciate your thoughts on this . I have read many things

about ocd/bipolar/behavioral issues, and it would certainly seem that

there is something brain-based going on, while the cause, or

contributing factors may differ.

Our son, 16, with OCD, and ???, had hypomania, or hypomanic symptoms

induced by high dose of sri celexa. The question in my mind, is can

a drug induce something that is not already there, but is perhaps

latent (we have a history of bipolar in our family). Questions

abound re what part ocd/other, medication, teen stuff play in this

endless cycle of challenges.

Our treatment " team " focuses on behavior and consequences for problem

behavior, which from what I've seen makes no difference when a kid

feels compelled to do something because of an ocd issue, however

there do have to be consequences. Our son continues to report that

he feels unable to stop and says no consequence will stop him.

Fortunately the problem behavior usually " switches " after 6-8 weeks,

unfortunately it is not always to something much better. CBT has just

been started, again, and our hope is that in time some insight will

develop and strategies will follow.

In the mean time our frustration remains what do you do when no one

can be clear what is what, and has no real strategies to assist you

in dealing with the problem behavior? We have removed our child from

our home because of his behavior,as was recommended, in fact the

recommendation was to a homeless shelter!!!He lives with his

grandparents where there are less ocd triggers, and less issues in

general, but problem behavior continues...

It would seem sometimes all you can do is wait it out and hope it

gets better after the teen years. I don't see as many people writing

in about their children after the teen years, so I'm guessing/hoping

that by then the ocd/problems have improved or moved on, or out of

their house!

Barb

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

addition

> to

> > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

> on

> > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

> but

> > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

treated

> for

> > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws

a

> > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> bipoloar,

> > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> areas

> > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> one

> > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> > >

> > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

developed

> > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> behavior

> > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

independence.

> She

> > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

> She

> > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

So

> > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

OCD

> was

> > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

but

> for

> > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> which is

> > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

said

> we

> > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > >

> > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

My daughter is 19 and the ocd, severe anxiety, mood issues etc

started in 6th grade. Episodes of severe depression have been her

worst symptom, I think brought on by frustration and overwhelming

aspects of trying to cope with ocd, and missing out on things other

kids enjoy. So when she is not depressed and suicidal I am ok with

her other symptoms because at least she can smile and do some fun

things and try her best. No therapy or medication prior to

residential treatment at Menninger really helped her achieve normal

functioning-though she graduated early by testing out-mainly because

she could not cope with highschool. At Menninger I believe she

learned both to accept and to better control some symptoms-this helps

her outlook alot. She has been able to travel-somethiung she could

not do before.

Still I don't envision her managing a full college load or full time

work, or even daily chores etc, despite being very smart, vivacious

at times, creative, extremely well-read and intellectual. I just

don't see, even with improved functioning, how she will support

herself, at least not at this time. At the same time she so wants to

be out of this house and on her own, she gets very irritable and edgy

but trys to contain it, so I would like to have her somewhere else

too. Her inability to leave, drive, work take classes, etc would not

even bother me so much- thinking it will just take a longer time for

her, if there were not two other kids down the line who seem to be

headed the same way.

My dh and I wonder how we will manage if there are possibly 3 adults

not able to become independent. I have two siblings in the same boat,

they barely get by (though another one does fine. My husband also

has one troubled sibling. His mother and my dad have ocd). We really

have to think this out and be creative, I think, about how they can

support themselves under unusual circumstances.

nancy grace

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

> addition

> > to

> > > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and

was

> > on

> > > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has

it,

> > but

> > > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

> treated

> > for

> > > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she

throws

> a

> > > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> > bipoloar,

> > > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said

anxiety

> > > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> > areas

> > > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said

that

> > one

> > > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the

other).

> > > >

> > > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

> developed

> > > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> > behavior

> > > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

> independence.

> > She

> > > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding

will.

> > She

> > > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live

life

> > > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot

happen.

> So

> > > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

> OCD

> > was

> > > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

> but

> > for

> > > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> > which is

> > > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

> said

> > we

> > > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is

not

> > > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > > >

> > > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes it's best not to think to far ahead, isn't it?! I have the

same concerns re our sons future. At this point he is 16 with a

grade 8 education, and although capable of completing more schooling,

he has been stuck in a " treatment program " not going forward...if I

think about this I can feel pannicked.

Barb

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi,

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

> > addition

> > > to

> > > > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and

> was

> > > on

> > > > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has

> it,

> > > but

> > > > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

> > treated

> > > for

> > > > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she

> throws

> > a

> > > > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> > > bipoloar,

> > > > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said

> anxiety

> > > > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely

separate

> > > areas

> > > > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said

> that

> > > one

> > > > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the

> other).

> > > > >

> > > > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

> > developed

> > > > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> > > behavior

> > > > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

> > independence.

> > > She

> > > > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding

> will.

> > > She

> > > > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live

> life

> > > > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot

> happen.

> > So

> > > > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was

when

> > OCD

> > > was

> > > > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding

child,

> > but

> > > for

> > > > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic

episodes

> > > which is

> > > > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

> > said

> > > we

> > > > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is

> not

> > > > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other

disorders?

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Barb,

I'm new to this group and have a seven year old with severe ocd. I'm also a

child therapist and did work with him for over a year before trying meds. I

also have a friend who is a child psychiatrist, and she warned me to be very

careful with the ssri's IF we had a family history of bipolar. We do not, and

we are currently givine him lexapro, which is helping him some, but also causing

hyperactivity. It can be so hard to tell what is what. For a bit, I was afraid

the drug was bringing out some unknown bipolar tendency. But with trial and

error, we realized his body was metabolizing his meds very quickly and then

dropping him. So, not instead of 10 mg at night, we're doing 5 mg in the

morning and 5 mg in the evening. It leveled him off.

Hope that helps some.

Leigh Anne

Re: After OCD - what's next?

I appreciate your thoughts on this . I have read many things

about ocd/bipolar/ behavioral issues, and it would certainly seem that

there is something brain-based going on, while the cause, or

contributing factors may differ.

Our son, 16, with OCD, and ???, had hypomania, or hypomanic symptoms

induced by high dose of sri celexa. The question in my mind, is can

a drug induce something that is not already there, but is perhaps

latent (we have a history of bipolar in our family). Questions

abound re what part ocd/other, medication, teen stuff play in this

endless cycle of challenges.

Our treatment " team " focuses on behavior and consequences for problem

behavior, which from what I've seen makes no difference when a kid

feels compelled to do something because of an ocd issue, however

there do have to be consequences. Our son continues to report that

he feels unable to stop and says no consequence will stop him.

Fortunately the problem behavior usually " switches " after 6-8 weeks,

unfortunately it is not always to something much better. CBT has just

been started, again, and our hope is that in time some insight will

develop and strategies will follow.

In the mean time our frustration remains what do you do when no one

can be clear what is what, and has no real strategies to assist you

in dealing with the problem behavior? We have removed our child from

our home because of his behavior,as was recommended, in fact the

recommendation was to a homeless shelter!!!He lives with his

grandparents where there are less ocd triggers, and less issues in

general, but problem behavior continues...

It would seem sometimes all you can do is wait it out and hope it

gets better after the teen years. I don't see as many people writing

in about their children after the teen years, so I'm guessing/hoping

that by then the ocd/problems have improved or moved on, or out of

their house!

Barb

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

addition

> to

> > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

> on

> > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

> but

> > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

treated

> for

> > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws

a

> > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> bipoloar,

> > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> areas

> > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> one

> > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> > >

> > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

developed

> > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> behavior

> > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

independence.

> She

> > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

> She

> > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

So

> > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

OCD

> was

> > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

but

> for

> > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> which is

> > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

said

> we

> > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > >

> > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Dear Barb,

I'm new to this group and have a seven year old with severe ocd. I'm also a

child therapist and did work with him for over a year before trying meds. I

also have a friend who is a child psychiatrist, and she warned me to be very

careful with the ssri's IF we had a family history of bipolar. We do not, and

we are currently givine him lexapro, which is helping him some, but also causing

hyperactivity. It can be so hard to tell what is what. For a bit, I was afraid

the drug was bringing out some unknown bipolar tendency. But with trial and

error, we realized his body was metabolizing his meds very quickly and then

dropping him. So, not instead of 10 mg at night, we're doing 5 mg in the

morning and 5 mg in the evening. It leveled him off.

Hope that helps some.

Leigh Anne

Re: After OCD - what's next?

I appreciate your thoughts on this . I have read many things

about ocd/bipolar/ behavioral issues, and it would certainly seem that

there is something brain-based going on, while the cause, or

contributing factors may differ.

Our son, 16, with OCD, and ???, had hypomania, or hypomanic symptoms

induced by high dose of sri celexa. The question in my mind, is can

a drug induce something that is not already there, but is perhaps

latent (we have a history of bipolar in our family). Questions

abound re what part ocd/other, medication, teen stuff play in this

endless cycle of challenges.

Our treatment " team " focuses on behavior and consequences for problem

behavior, which from what I've seen makes no difference when a kid

feels compelled to do something because of an ocd issue, however

there do have to be consequences. Our son continues to report that

he feels unable to stop and says no consequence will stop him.

Fortunately the problem behavior usually " switches " after 6-8 weeks,

unfortunately it is not always to something much better. CBT has just

been started, again, and our hope is that in time some insight will

develop and strategies will follow.

In the mean time our frustration remains what do you do when no one

can be clear what is what, and has no real strategies to assist you

in dealing with the problem behavior? We have removed our child from

our home because of his behavior,as was recommended, in fact the

recommendation was to a homeless shelter!!!He lives with his

grandparents where there are less ocd triggers, and less issues in

general, but problem behavior continues...

It would seem sometimes all you can do is wait it out and hope it

gets better after the teen years. I don't see as many people writing

in about their children after the teen years, so I'm guessing/hoping

that by then the ocd/problems have improved or moved on, or out of

their house!

Barb

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

addition

> to

> > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and was

> on

> > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has it,

> but

> > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

treated

> for

> > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she throws

a

> > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> bipoloar,

> > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> areas

> > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> one

> > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the other).

> > >

> > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

developed

> > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> behavior

> > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

independence.

> She

> > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding will.

> She

> > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live life

> > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

So

> > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

OCD

> was

> > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

but

> for

> > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> which is

> > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

said

> we

> > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is not

> > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > >

> > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Thanks Leigh Ann. In our case we are clear enough that the hypomania

was drug induced (high dose celexa). Just not sure if truly bipolar

or only drug induced. Time will tell....

Thanks for your thoughts.

Barb

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

> addition

> > to

> > > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and

was

> > on

> > > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has

it,

> > but

> > > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

> treated

> > for

> > > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she

throws

> a

> > > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> > bipoloar,

> > > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> > areas

> > > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> > one

> > > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the

other).

> > > >

> > > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

> developed

> > > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> > behavior

> > > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

> independence.

> > She

> > > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding

will.

> > She

> > > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live

life

> > > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

> So

> > > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

> OCD

> > was

> > > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

> but

> > for

> > > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> > which is

> > > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

> said

> > we

> > > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is

not

> > > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > > >

> > > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Leigh Ann. In our case we are clear enough that the hypomania

was drug induced (high dose celexa). Just not sure if truly bipolar

or only drug induced. Time will tell....

Thanks for your thoughts.

Barb

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I'm looking for some folks who have had other issues in

> addition

> > to

> > > > OCD. Our dd had OCD really, really bad for a few years and

was

> > on

> > > > meds (Prozac) which was a tremendous relief. She still has

it,

> > but

> > > > not to the level that she had. However, she is now being

> treated

> > for

> > > > bipolar like behavior. She has manic episodes where she

throws

> a

> > > > three-year old tantrum in a 14-year old body. She is not

> > bipoloar,

> > > > but has symptoms that are bipolar-like. Our pdoc said anxiety

> > > > disorders like OCD and bipolar are in two completely separate

> > areas

> > > > of the brain and are not related. However, our tdoc said that

> > one

> > > > does affect the other (but does not necessarly cause the

other).

> > > >

> > > > So I was wondering if anyone else had other issues that

> developed

> > > > later. Our dd is 14 now, and hormones and typical teenage

> > behavior

> > > > has a lot to do with her defiance and demands for

> independence.

> > She

> > > > has developed quite an attitude and has a very demanding

will.

> > She

> > > > wants nothing to do with us and would prefer that she live

life

> > > > without limits and boundaries, which of course cannot happen.

> So

> > > > life in our house is pretty hellish these days. It was when

> OCD

> > was

> > > > raging, so we're used to dealing with a very demanding child,

> but

> > for

> > > > different reasons. She is on Abilify for the manic episodes

> > which is

> > > > helping. She's been off the Lexapro for OCD since her pdoc

> said

> > we

> > > > need to handle one issue at a time for now. But the OCD is

not

> > > > nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

> > > >

> > > > Anyone else have any similar experiences with other disorders?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

>