Re: New here - treatment quandries

[Guest guest]

Hi. And Welcome. Our son (15 years old) is also on Celexa, but at

60mg. We've gotten conflicting information about the dosage he is on.

Some have said, we would not want to go higher, 60mg is the max. But

others have said we can go up as high as 80mg with OCD. 60mg is

working okay for our son, so we are just sitting on this and going to

therapy, using ERP and CBT to try to get his OCD under control. The

therapy is working really well for our son. He has made a lot of

progress with his rituals. If you get the right kind of therapy it

can be very helpful. Finding someone who knows what they are doing

and will be willing to treat kids or teens, can be a challenge though.

OCD can be very individual in the way it manifests itself, but each

person is an individual too. So, removing sugar from his diet might

help, but it also might now. It can't hurt to try it.

If your son is willing to read about OCD or have you read to him, he

might be persuaded to change his mind about therapy not working. I

know as I personally read about the CORRECT type of therapy, I was

very encouraged to try it. It makes a lot of sense. And we have seen

it working in our son since we started seeing a psychologist who knows

what he is doing. (Believe me, we saw a lot of therapists for years

who didn't know what they were doing and it never helped, just cost a

lot). Here are the names of some books that are very informational,

that might give you and your son hope.

What to do When your Child has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - by

Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D.

Freeing your Child from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - by Tamar E.

Chansky, Ph.D.

Talking Back to OCD - by S. March, MD

Helping Your Child with OCD - by Lee Fitzgibbons, Ph.D, and Cherry

Pedrick, RN

The last two are workbooks, but also give excellent information on

exactly what OCD is, and how to treat it. If you can't find a

therapist near you, you can try using one of them to do some stuff on

your own at home. We tried, but found using a therapist was better

for us. But, there are many who do therapy at home because they can't

find anyone qualified near them.

Just knowing EXACTLY what you are dealing with and having that

knowledge is a HUGE help. Knowing there are proven techniques that

work to improve your quality of life, that you don't have to be a

slave to what OCD is telling you, gives you hope and encouragement to

try. It might change his mind.

Finding a QUALIFIED therapist can be difficult. There are many who

say they treat OCD, but really have no clue how to. If they want to

do talk therapy, don't bother with it. It won't help with OCD. The

two things that help with OCD is ERP (exposure and response

prevention) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). But if they do

CBT, they need to know how to SPECIFICALLY apply it to OCD. Once you

do some reading you will know what you need and know what to ask when

you start looking for a therapist. When I called, I had a list of

specific questions in front of me. I had to get over being shy and be

bold in asking, but it eventually paid off.

A good place to start to find a therapist is the OCfoundation.org

website. But, just because they are listed there does not mean they

know what they are doing. Ask them questions. Interview them. I

would ask to speak directly to the psychologist or therapist, and be

blunt (but friendly) about what we were searching for. If they don't

have a clue what you are talking about, move on. We ran into a lot

that would not treat anyone under 18, crazy but true. So, I would

ask them for names of others who might. Also contact any OCD support

groups within the area you are willing to drive to for therapy, and

ask for names of therapists they might recommend. I emailed a few

that were 70 miles from us and they were very helpful.

I hope I didn't give you information overload. lol

Glad you are here. There are many here who can relate to what you are

going through. It's a great place for support and information.

Again, welcome.

BJ

>

> Another nubie. I tried searching around to see if anyone elses'

> situation paralleled ours, but have noticed how unique each story is.

>

> My 13 year old son has the kind of OCD which is obsessive thinking,

> and then checking or seeking reassurance. Specifically, he is

> obsessed with the thought that some harm will come to either my

> husband or myself, and as a result, asks a thousand questions every

> time we go out, and when we manage to get out, has to call us on our

> cells frequently to make sure we are OK. At night, he is always

> making sure the doors are locked before he goes to bed, and has

> specific ritualistic questions that he must ask us every night before

> he goes to bed. He obsesses about other things, too, mostly material

> possessions... things he doesn't have, but wants. As soon as he gets

> the thing, he wants something else. If he doesn't get the thing, the

> he completely flips. The obsession with the possession is intense,

> not like a typical kid wanting something. He also seems to obsess

> about being with his friends, although, I am more likely to think of

> that as typical teen.

>

> Anyway, it has taken us a good part of 4 years to get this diagnosis.

> We knew he had an anxiety disorder, but for some reason that my

> husband and I can't fathom, not one shrink mentioned the term OCD to

> us until this year. We didn't make the diagnosis ourselves; who knew

> that OCD can come in so many flavors, especially since his is not

> vanilla? Also, over the 4 years, he has tried a number of different

> SSRI's with no effect.

>

> He is currently on Celexa, an 80mg dose which completely unnerves me.

> I am told that OCD med treatment is more effective in higher doses,

> but 80mg of this drug is way above the average dosage. My first

> question is, does anyone else have experience or knowlege of high

> doses of celexa? We just started the 80mg, so I can't speak to its

> effectiveness. I just know that 60mg wasn't doing anything, and his

> psychiatrist seems to think its fine to go to the next level.

>

> Also wondering what role sugar has in the whole treatment process.

> Our son is definitely into sugar and we are exploring the possibility

> of removing it completely from our house. My husband believes that a

> stimulant like sugar may exacerbate the OCD problem. My son also has

> impulsive behavioral problems, and we are getting him neuropsyche

> tested this week for a possible ADD diagnosis on top of everything.

>

> We have not started any kind of cognitive therapy yet, as we are still

> digesting his diagnosis, and have to find the right person. The

> bigger problem is that he refuses to go to therapy as he is convinced

> that there is nothing that can help him. We obviously are going to

> insist he goes, but my other question is if anyone else has

> experienced going to therapy with a child who is convinced he won't

> get better?

>

> I appreciate your reading this, and any help or advise you can throw

> my way.

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome. I can relate to your son not believing he can get better. After much

intensive treatment, my 11 year old son still doesn't think there's any hope,

but his therapist says it doesn't matter, as long as he does the therapy.

When my son was in residential treatment, they were very careful that the kids

have absolutely no caffeine and very limited sugar. Knowing what sugar does to

me (I'm addicted to it) I can imagine that it could certainly affect somebody

with OCD. So I think you have a good idea there. At least try to limit your

son's sugar to one treat a day. (I should follow my own advice, heh heh.)

bostonpies <wjoltsik@...> wrote: Another

nubie. I tried searching around to see if anyone elses'

situation paralleled ours, but have noticed how unique each story is.

My 13 year old son has the kind of OCD which is obsessive thinking,

and then checking or seeking reassurance. Specifically, he is

obsessed with the thought that some harm will come to either my

husband or myself, and as a result, asks a thousand questions every

time we go out, and when we manage to get out, has to call us on our

cells frequently to make sure we are OK. At night, he is always

making sure the doors are locked before he goes to bed, and has

specific ritualistic questions that he must ask us every night before

he goes to bed. He obsesses about other things, too, mostly material

possessions... things he doesn't have, but wants. As soon as he gets

the thing, he wants something else. If he doesn't get the thing, the

he completely flips. The obsession with the possession is intense,

not like a typical kid wanting something. He also seems to obsess

about being with his friends, although, I am more likely to think of

that as typical teen.

Anyway, it has taken us a good part of 4 years to get this diagnosis.

We knew he had an anxiety disorder, but for some reason that my

husband and I can't fathom, not one shrink mentioned the term OCD to

us until this year. We didn't make the diagnosis ourselves; who knew

that OCD can come in so many flavors, especially since his is not

vanilla? Also, over the 4 years, he has tried a number of different

SSRI's with no effect.

He is currently on Celexa, an 80mg dose which completely unnerves me.

I am told that OCD med treatment is more effective in higher doses,

but 80mg of this drug is way above the average dosage. My first

question is, does anyone else have experience or knowlege of high

doses of celexa? We just started the 80mg, so I can't speak to its

effectiveness. I just know that 60mg wasn't doing anything, and his

psychiatrist seems to think its fine to go to the next level.

Also wondering what role sugar has in the whole treatment process.

Our son is definitely into sugar and we are exploring the possibility

of removing it completely from our house. My husband believes that a

stimulant like sugar may exacerbate the OCD problem. My son also has

impulsive behavioral problems, and we are getting him neuropsyche

tested this week for a possible ADD diagnosis on top of everything.

We have not started any kind of cognitive therapy yet, as we are still

digesting his diagnosis, and have to find the right person. The

bigger problem is that he refuses to go to therapy as he is convinced

that there is nothing that can help him. We obviously are going to

insist he goes, but my other question is if anyone else has

experienced going to therapy with a child who is convinced he won't

get better?

I appreciate your reading this, and any help or advise you can throw

my way.

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

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Welcome. I can relate to your son not believing he can get better. After much

intensive treatment, my 11 year old son still doesn't think there's any hope,

but his therapist says it doesn't matter, as long as he does the therapy.

When my son was in residential treatment, they were very careful that the kids

have absolutely no caffeine and very limited sugar. Knowing what sugar does to

me (I'm addicted to it) I can imagine that it could certainly affect somebody

with OCD. So I think you have a good idea there. At least try to limit your

son's sugar to one treat a day. (I should follow my own advice, heh heh.)

bostonpies <wjoltsik@...> wrote: Another

nubie. I tried searching around to see if anyone elses'

situation paralleled ours, but have noticed how unique each story is.

My 13 year old son has the kind of OCD which is obsessive thinking,

and then checking or seeking reassurance. Specifically, he is

obsessed with the thought that some harm will come to either my

husband or myself, and as a result, asks a thousand questions every

time we go out, and when we manage to get out, has to call us on our

cells frequently to make sure we are OK. At night, he is always

making sure the doors are locked before he goes to bed, and has

specific ritualistic questions that he must ask us every night before

he goes to bed. He obsesses about other things, too, mostly material

possessions... things he doesn't have, but wants. As soon as he gets

the thing, he wants something else. If he doesn't get the thing, the

he completely flips. The obsession with the possession is intense,

not like a typical kid wanting something. He also seems to obsess

about being with his friends, although, I am more likely to think of

that as typical teen.

Anyway, it has taken us a good part of 4 years to get this diagnosis.

We knew he had an anxiety disorder, but for some reason that my

husband and I can't fathom, not one shrink mentioned the term OCD to

us until this year. We didn't make the diagnosis ourselves; who knew

that OCD can come in so many flavors, especially since his is not

vanilla? Also, over the 4 years, he has tried a number of different

SSRI's with no effect.

He is currently on Celexa, an 80mg dose which completely unnerves me.

I am told that OCD med treatment is more effective in higher doses,

but 80mg of this drug is way above the average dosage. My first

question is, does anyone else have experience or knowlege of high

doses of celexa? We just started the 80mg, so I can't speak to its

effectiveness. I just know that 60mg wasn't doing anything, and his

psychiatrist seems to think its fine to go to the next level.

Also wondering what role sugar has in the whole treatment process.

Our son is definitely into sugar and we are exploring the possibility

of removing it completely from our house. My husband believes that a

stimulant like sugar may exacerbate the OCD problem. My son also has

impulsive behavioral problems, and we are getting him neuropsyche

tested this week for a possible ADD diagnosis on top of everything.

We have not started any kind of cognitive therapy yet, as we are still

digesting his diagnosis, and have to find the right person. The

bigger problem is that he refuses to go to therapy as he is convinced

that there is nothing that can help him. We obviously are going to

insist he goes, but my other question is if anyone else has

experienced going to therapy with a child who is convinced he won't

get better?

I appreciate your reading this, and any help or advise you can throw

my way.

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

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

>

> Welcome. I can relate to your son not believing he can get better.

After much intensive treatment, my 11 year old son still doesn't think

there's any hope, but his therapist says it doesn't matter, as long as

he does the therapy.

>

> When my son was in residential treatment, they were very careful

that the kids have absolutely no caffeine and very limited sugar.

Knowing what sugar does to me (I'm addicted to it) I can imagine that

it could certainly affect somebody with OCD. So I think you have a

good idea there. At least try to limit your son's sugar to one treat a

day. (I should follow my own advice, heh heh.)

>

>

diagnosis.

I am glad to hear that your therapist says not having hope doesn't

matter. I was afraid that it would muck up the progress. It probably

has some kind of impact, but we can't let it get in the way

completely. Someone mentioned even providing rewards for going to the

therapist each time, which I shamelessly may do.

I know what you mean about the sugar addiction. I have one, too, but

luckily don't have any mental health issues that would be affected by

it. However, I have decided that if my son has to greatly lower his

intake, then I will too. My other younger son, fortunately, doesn't

crave sugar the way some of us do.

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Welcome. I can relate to your son not believing he can get better.

After much intensive treatment, my 11 year old son still doesn't think

there's any hope, but his therapist says it doesn't matter, as long as

he does the therapy.

>

> When my son was in residential treatment, they were very careful

that the kids have absolutely no caffeine and very limited sugar.

Knowing what sugar does to me (I'm addicted to it) I can imagine that

it could certainly affect somebody with OCD. So I think you have a

good idea there. At least try to limit your son's sugar to one treat a

day. (I should follow my own advice, heh heh.)

>

>

diagnosis.

I am glad to hear that your therapist says not having hope doesn't

matter. I was afraid that it would muck up the progress. It probably

has some kind of impact, but we can't let it get in the way

completely. Someone mentioned even providing rewards for going to the

therapist each time, which I shamelessly may do.

I know what you mean about the sugar addiction. I have one, too, but

luckily don't have any mental health issues that would be affected by

it. However, I have decided that if my son has to greatly lower his

intake, then I will too. My other younger son, fortunately, doesn't

crave sugar the way some of us do.

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

>

[Guest guest]

>Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

>

[Guest guest]

Our son is doing okay on 60mg. Sometimes I wonder if it should be

higher, but he is already a bit spacey on 60mg, so I don't want to

raise it more unless we have to.

Our son also had that reaction while we were raising his meds. . .He

would do okay for about a week, sometimes two, then it would worsen

again. That is why we kept having to raise it. At 60mg, he is doing

good, but it could be better. He still has tough days here and there.

If your son doesn't start showing improvement soon, has his doc

considered changing to a different SSRI? I know some meds work for

some and other meds work for others. Sometimes it is a matter of

finding the right one. That can be awfully tough on the kid though,

weaning off of one and waiting for another to start working. We have

tried to avoid that, but sometimes it is necessary. On the other

hand, I've read it can take quite a while for a SSRI to reach it's

maximum benefit, so we've always tried to not give up too soon. It's

tough to know what to do about meds sometimes.

That is so great that you have a place not too far from you for

treatment. We live on the west coast, in Washington, and there is not

a lot available here. There's definitely no OCD treatment centers.

They all seem to be back east. It took us three months to find

someone who was qualified and would take our son for treatment.

BJ

>

>

> >Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

> bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

> disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

> for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

>

> I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

> very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

> psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

> harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

> seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

> got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

> been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

>

> I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

> I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

> probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

> from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

> so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

> confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

> try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

> this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

> are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

> those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

> their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

> and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Our son is doing okay on 60mg. Sometimes I wonder if it should be

higher, but he is already a bit spacey on 60mg, so I don't want to

raise it more unless we have to.

Our son also had that reaction while we were raising his meds. . .He

would do okay for about a week, sometimes two, then it would worsen

again. That is why we kept having to raise it. At 60mg, he is doing

good, but it could be better. He still has tough days here and there.

If your son doesn't start showing improvement soon, has his doc

considered changing to a different SSRI? I know some meds work for

some and other meds work for others. Sometimes it is a matter of

finding the right one. That can be awfully tough on the kid though,

weaning off of one and waiting for another to start working. We have

tried to avoid that, but sometimes it is necessary. On the other

hand, I've read it can take quite a while for a SSRI to reach it's

maximum benefit, so we've always tried to not give up too soon. It's

tough to know what to do about meds sometimes.

That is so great that you have a place not too far from you for

treatment. We live on the west coast, in Washington, and there is not

a lot available here. There's definitely no OCD treatment centers.

They all seem to be back east. It took us three months to find

someone who was qualified and would take our son for treatment.

BJ

>

>

> >Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

> bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

> disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

> for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

>

> I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

> very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

> psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

> harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

> seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

> got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

> been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

>

> I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

> I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

> probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

> from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

> so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

> confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

> try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

> this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

> are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

> those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

> their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

> and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but at MA General Hospital , they

also offer free OCD studies from time to time. I brought my dd there for a study

on bipolar disorder. After you complete the study, they give you diagnosis's and

a treatment plan. Although it is time consuming, you may find it worth your

while.You also get to converse with some very very good doctors. My dd has

bipolar disorder as well as ocd and she was able to see Dr. ph Beiderman,

who is an expert in the field .

Hugs

Judy

bostonpies <wjoltsik@...> wrote:

>Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

>

[Guest guest]

How does one pursue this?

jchabot <jchabot@...> wrote: I don't know if you are aware of this

or not, but at MA General Hospital , they also offer free OCD studies from time

to time. I brought my dd there for a study on bipolar disorder. After you

complete the study, they give you diagnosis's and a treatment plan. Although it

is time consuming, you may find it worth your while.You also get to converse

with some very very good doctors. My dd has bipolar disorder as well as ocd and

she was able to see Dr. ph Beiderman, who is an expert in the field .

Hugs

Judy

bostonpies <wjoltsik@...> wrote:

>Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

>

[Guest guest]

I have seen these Mass General studies posted in a few places... one

on their website (do a search) and one on the OCD foundation website

(sorry, also don't have the exact website handy and I'm learning a new

computer...) I don't think they are a match for my situation since my

son is a reluctant, almost defiant patient, and the idea of bringing

him to see even more doctors than a regular therapist would be too

much to ask. I'm glad it worked out for jchabot.

> >Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to the

> bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

> disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will look

> for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed elseware, too.

>

> I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I am

> very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured by a

> psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

> harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose. It

> seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the OCD

> got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its only

> been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

>

> I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist yet, but

> I think that will be next week, of course the week before Christmas is

> probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not too far

> from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is located,

> so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

> confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other connections to

> try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard questions

> this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks' there

> are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

> those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't know

> their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious time,

> and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year old boy.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just to let you know, my dd is very defiant. She did not want anything to do

with the study, and/or any of the other dozens of places I have taken her to.

The people who work there are very good with these kinds of kids.

Judy

bostonpies <wjoltsik@...> wrote: I have seen

these Mass General studies posted in a few places... one

on their website (do a search) and one on the OCD foundation website

(sorry, also don't have the exact website handy and I'm learning a new

computer...) I don't think they are a match for my situation since my

son is a reluctant, almost defiant patient, and the idea of bringing

him to see even more doctors than a regular therapist would be too

much to ask. I'm glad it worked out for jchabot.

--

[Guest guest]

Hi Colette,

I just made a phone call. They put me on a short waiting list. Like I said, it

was difficult,but I felt it was worthwhile.

JMHO

Hugs

Judy

Colette Myers <mctommom@...> wrote: How

does one pursue this?

..

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I think it would be worthwhile too, for the right study. We are in

Ohio so that makes it a bit tough but I am at a point of " I'd do anything! " X,

Colette

jchabot <jchabot@...> wrote: Hi Colette,

I just made a phone call. They put me on a short waiting list. Like I said, it

was difficult,but I felt it was worthwhile.

JMHO

Hugs

Judy

Colette Myers <mctommom@...> wrote: How does one pursue this?

..

[Guest guest]

Colette,

Have you tried any of the big hospitals closer to you?

I live in CT, but definitely felt it was worthwhile traveling almost 3 hours one

way up to MA to get this done. We only had to go up there for one day.

Everything else was done by mail and e-mail. It took almost 4 months to get the

results in, but like I said, I received IQ scores, as well as medication, and

therapy treatment plans. I received a list of diagnosis.I live in a very small

town, with small town doctors, and I was so happy to see doctors who specialize

in the field.( My dd also Dr. Janet Wozniak, who specializes in early onset

bipolar disorder)

Check out the Ohio hospital or one in a state close to you.Most of them offer

OCD studies, and they will actually pay you to participate.I would like to

attend an OCD one also, but have not had the time. (Maybe after the holidays) My

kids have so many commorbid diagnosis that I need to seek out as many opinions

as I can.

Hugs

Judy

Colette Myers <mctommom@...> wrote:

Thanks. I think it would be worthwhile too, for the right study. We are in

Ohio so that makes it a bit tough but I am at a point of " I'd do anything! " X,

Colette

jchabot <jchabot@...> wrote: Hi Colette,

I just made a phone call. They put me on a short waiting list. Like I said, it

was difficult,but I felt it was worthwhile.

JMHO

Hugs

Judy

Colette Myers <mctommom@...> wrote: How does one pursue this?

.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Another place to try is Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic in

RI, 401 444 2178. My dd participated in a study on treatment for

OCD, that is still going on. It was very helpful. It was 12 weeks

of CBT at no charge, they actually paid my dd!! and relieved her of

most of her OCD!!

in MA

> > >Thank you, BJ, so much for your thoughtful reply. I am off to

the

> > bookstore today to stock up. I have read many general anxiety

> > disorder books, but have yet to buy one specific to OCD. I will

look

> > for the titles you recommended, I have seen them listed

elseware, too.

> >

> > I am happy to hear your son is doing well on the 60mg celexa. I

am

> > very uncomfortable with the 80mg dosage, but have been reassured

by a

> > psychopharmacologist and his psychiatrist that it is OK. The even

> > harder part is that I don't see any real change on either dose.

It

> > seemed a bit more in control for awhile on the 60, but then the

OCD

> > got worse, and even on the 80 doesn't seem better although its

only

> > been a few days. It is just so overwhelming.

> >

> > I have not started the journey of finding the right therapist

yet, but

> > I think that will be next week, of course the week before

Christmas is

> > probably a tough one to look. We live in the Boston area, not

too far

> > from Belmont where the Mass General OCD treatment center is

located,

> > so I will probably try there. I have already heard, but not

> > confirmed, that they have a wait period. I have other

connections to

> > try, too. But as you say, I am going to ask alot of hard

questions

> > this time, and be very picky. Its just amazing how many 'hacks'

there

> > are in this business. I have to admit, I have resentment towards

> > those therapists that we spent too much time with, who didn't

know

> > their stuff at all in retrospect. We wasted so much precious

time,

> > and did nothing but provide hopelessness to a wonderful 13 year

old boy.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

in MA,

I am curious, what was their treatment?

>

> Hi, Another place to try is Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic in

> RI, 401 444 2178. My dd participated in a study on treatment for

> OCD, that is still going on. It was very helpful. It was 12 weeks

> of CBT at no charge, they actually paid my dd!! and relieved her of

> most of her OCD!!

>

> in MA

>

>

[Guest guest]

The treatment was CBT - exposure response prevention. They started

with a heirarchy and worked their way up the list in twelve weeks.

She had homework every week. I tried similiar steps at home and it

never worked, for some reason this research study worked great for

her. It has been three years and there are days when all I have to

say is " what would Dr...say " and she will stop her OCD. The study

was on treatment with a therapist vs with a psychiatrist while the

patient is on an ssri that is not 100% working. We were in the

group with the psychiatrist. The big risk is that you might get a

group with neither and they just follow your meds for 12 weeks. No

matter what group, if there is no improvement you have the

opportunity to get CBT for another 12 weeks at no cost. feel free

to email offline if you have other questions.

in MA

> >

> > Hi, Another place to try is Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic

in

> > RI, 401 444 2178. My dd participated in a study on treatment

for

> > OCD, that is still going on. It was very helpful. It was 12

weeks

> > of CBT at no charge, they actually paid my dd!! and relieved

her of

> > most of her OCD!!

> >

> > in MA

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I have to say that we are very lucky with our health insurance plan.

We get all this covered, except for the co-pay each visit. My son

just finished a neuropsyche test and even that was covered completely

by this plan, which I am told is fairly unusual.

With that said, and considering the reluctance of my son to

participate in treatment to begin with, I don't think a study would be

helpful to us.

Sounds like it was amazing for you, . I can't wait to get to

that point with my son.

> > >

> > > Hi, Another place to try is Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic

> in

> > > RI, 401 444 2178. My dd participated in a study on treatment

> for

> > > OCD, that is still going on. It was very helpful. It was 12

> weeks

> > > of CBT at no charge, they actually paid my dd!! and relieved

> her of

> > > most of her OCD!!

> > >

> > > in MA

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I have to say that we are very lucky with our health insurance plan.

We get all this covered, except for the co-pay each visit. My son

just finished a neuropsyche test and even that was covered completely

by this plan, which I am told is fairly unusual.

With that said, and considering the reluctance of my son to

participate in treatment to begin with, I don't think a study would be

helpful to us.

Sounds like it was amazing for you, . I can't wait to get to

that point with my son.

> > >

> > > Hi, Another place to try is Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic

> in

> > > RI, 401 444 2178. My dd participated in a study on treatment

> for

> > > OCD, that is still going on. It was very helpful. It was 12

> weeks

> > > of CBT at no charge, they actually paid my dd!! and relieved

> her of

> > > most of her OCD!!

> > >

> > > in MA

> > >

> > >

> >

>