Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi Theresa, welcome! What you wrote sounds so familiar to us! I can understand, at age 12, why she may be worried about running into " local " therapist, she's at " that age. " Have you visited the OCD Foundation website yet? They have a place to search for therapists, etc., may locate one listed there. Some universities sometimes have services. And sometimes you just have to go through the yellow pages! Finding someone who is actually experienced with treating OCD can be difficult for some people. Read up on treatment at the Foundation website so you know what to look for, someone who does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure & Response/ritual Prevention (ERP). CBT is used for other mental health issues, so many professionals use CBT but it really helps to have someone who knows OCD. We live in a sort of rural type area and I worked at our local mental health agency (office support) and no one there was trained for OCD. It is hard to parent when OCD is in such control. I remember those late nights, my son had bedtime issues. His was just being able to get in bed the " right way " , would have to get up and repeat, etc. Could take 30 minutes, could take 2 hours. There are some great books available for kids, have you yet searched for any? The Foundation website probably has some listed (great ones for parents too). Right now you might try having your daughter work on just 1 or 2 things, like trying to shorten the length of showers or getting into bed (some task), even if it's just shortening it by...3 minutes! Work way up. Bedtime was such a huge deal for my son (and I wanted my sleep) that we put that aside for working on finally, just worked on some other things. Therapists will sometimes do a hierarchy of OC behaviors, have a person list behaviors, putting the least anxiety-causing as number 1, going up to the most anxiety, etc. Then pick some lower things to work on. Wish I had more time but need to get back to work (peeking in on break!). Glad you found us! , now 19, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild (OCD began age 11.5) > > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Thanks for the helpful hints. I have been to the OCD Foundation website. I am working on finding a therapist and will check into books on the site. I look forward to talking more with all of you. Theresa > > > > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what > has > > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the > past > > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends > 2- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Theresa, where are you? We are also in colorado and have a 13 1/2 year old daughter that when she was 12 sounded very similar. Anyway, we are in the northern suburbs between Denver and Boulder. Our house was torn apart also between my husband and I trying to parent what we knew absolutely nothing about. Our daughter ended up ocding over food and exercise and in a matter of one month, lost so much weight that we had her hospitalized. Definitely the hormones were a big part as she was in the middle of 7th grade, peers, grades, acne. oh my gosh. When the therapist at the hospital told us she had OCD, we kind of were relieved. Anyway, I would definitely find a therapist who knows CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and ERP (Exposure Response Therapy) and make sure you are not enabling your child. We have to constantly challenge her when she is anxious instead of trying to make her feel better. That is the biggest challenge. Please email me at caroltillman@... if you would like. Carol Tillman Thank Goodness! My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- 1/2 hours a night getting ready for bed, and is late every morning for school. She recognizes that she has " issues " but is very stubborn and says that " she doesn't need help...yet " . My husband and I are finding it very hard to parent, as any scolding for long showers, wasting water, making the family late, etc. brings on either a tantrum or more OCD habits. Our house has been in turmoil for weeks - frustration, anger, helplessness and grief only begin to explain what is in my heart. I have been doing lots of research online, and stumbled upon this group. I spent last night reading several entries, and am hoping to get insight to ideas, suggestions, and coping strategies that have worked for others to help us. We are working on gettng her to go to a therapist, but are finding it difficult to locate someone in our area. Also, is worried about going to someone in our immediate geogrphical area because she doesn't want to run into them in a public place (grocery store, church, etc.) Does anyone know if OCD intensifies with puberty? Also, are there any herbal remedies that have been found sucessful for any of you? Thanks for making this available to searching parents like myself. I can tell this will be a place I will feel comforrable sharing my experiences. Theresa in Colorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Theresa in Colorado, Your house sounds like mine with our 11yr. son. We had him diagonosed last Sept. It was a relief. We just took him to the doctor and did'nt tell him until we were there. I know it sounds cruel but if we would have told him he would have tantrumed and not gone. Glad we did. We start EPR next week. It did help him to know what he has. It does make it hard to parent. We just did a change last week that seems to be helping. We made a daily schedule. Minute by minute in the morning. I don't know if it is the OCD kicking in but he is following it determined to beat the time posted. I don't know if it is the right thing to do but our mornings have been so much better. I only gave him a five minute window to use the bathroom before he leaves. Does not give him much OCD time. Well, good luck to you and your daughter. Just remember your not alone in this. Lynn **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi,Theresa. I can't really add anything to what said. She covered it beautifully. Just wanted to say " hello " and " welcome " . ) BJ > > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- > 1/2 hours a night getting ready for bed, and is late every morning > for school. She recognizes that she has " issues " but is very > stubborn and says that " she doesn't need help...yet " . My husband > and I are finding it very hard to parent, as any scolding for long > showers, wasting water, making the family late, etc. brings on > either a tantrum or more OCD habits. Our house has been in turmoil > for weeks - frustration, anger, helplessness and grief only begin to > explain what is in my heart. > > I have been doing lots of research online, and stumbled upon this > group. I spent last night reading several entries, and am hoping to > get insight to ideas, suggestions, and coping strategies that have > worked for others to help us. We are working on gettng her to go to > a therapist, but are finding it difficult to locate someone in our > area. Also, is worried about going to someone in our > immediate geogrphical area because she doesn't want to run into them > in a public place (grocery store, church, etc.) > > Does anyone know if OCD intensifies with puberty? Also, are there > any herbal remedies that have been found sucessful for any of you? > > Thanks for making this available to searching parents like myself. > I can tell this will be a place I will feel comforrable sharing my > experiences. > > Theresa in Colorado > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thersa, We also let our son convince us into delaying going to therapy. Buy some of the books and after a good read you will understand that she simply cannot handle such a huge thing on her own. After research and finding a suitable therapist my 14 year old son looked as though the weight of the world had come off his shoulders just knowing that I was going to make him get help and that he didn't have to deal with this all alone. Joyce in Seattle -------------- Original message ---------------------- > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- > 1/2 hours a night getting ready for bed, and is late every morning > for school. She recognizes that she has " issues " but is very > stubborn and says that " she doesn't need help...yet " . My husband > and I are finding it very hard to parent, as any scolding for long > showers, wasting water, making the family late, etc. brings on > either a tantrum or more OCD habits. Our house has been in turmoil > for weeks - frustration, anger, helplessness and grief only begin to > explain what is in my heart. > > I have been doing lots of research online, and stumbled upon this > group. I spent last night reading several entries, and am hoping to > get insight to ideas, suggestions, and coping strategies that have > worked for others to help us. We are working on gettng her to go to > a therapist, but are finding it difficult to locate someone in our > area. Also, is worried about going to someone in our > immediate geogrphical area because she doesn't want to run into them > in a public place (grocery store, church, etc.) > > Does anyone know if OCD intensifies with puberty? Also, are there > any herbal remedies that have been found sucessful for any of you? > > Thanks for making this available to searching parents like myself. > I can tell this will be a place I will feel comforrable sharing my > experiences. > > Theresa in Colorado > > > > Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at: > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group// . > Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ), Tamar > Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), Dan Geller, M.D. > (http://massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/geller.html ),Aureen Pinto Wagner, > Ph.D., ( http://www.lighthouse-press.com ). Our list moderators are > Birkhan, Castle, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail Pesses, and Kathy > . Subscription issues or suggestions may be addressed to Louis > Harkins, list owner, at louisharkins@... , louisharkins@... , > louisharkins@... . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thersa, We also let our son convince us into delaying going to therapy. Buy some of the books and after a good read you will understand that she simply cannot handle such a huge thing on her own. After research and finding a suitable therapist my 14 year old son looked as though the weight of the world had come off his shoulders just knowing that I was going to make him get help and that he didn't have to deal with this all alone. Joyce in Seattle -------------- Original message ---------------------- > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- > 1/2 hours a night getting ready for bed, and is late every morning > for school. She recognizes that she has " issues " but is very > stubborn and says that " she doesn't need help...yet " . My husband > and I are finding it very hard to parent, as any scolding for long > showers, wasting water, making the family late, etc. brings on > either a tantrum or more OCD habits. Our house has been in turmoil > for weeks - frustration, anger, helplessness and grief only begin to > explain what is in my heart. > > I have been doing lots of research online, and stumbled upon this > group. I spent last night reading several entries, and am hoping to > get insight to ideas, suggestions, and coping strategies that have > worked for others to help us. We are working on gettng her to go to > a therapist, but are finding it difficult to locate someone in our > area. Also, is worried about going to someone in our > immediate geogrphical area because she doesn't want to run into them > in a public place (grocery store, church, etc.) > > Does anyone know if OCD intensifies with puberty? Also, are there > any herbal remedies that have been found sucessful for any of you? > > Thanks for making this available to searching parents like myself. > I can tell this will be a place I will feel comforrable sharing my > experiences. > > Theresa in Colorado > > > > Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at: > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group// . > Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ), Tamar > Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), Dan Geller, M.D. > (http://massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/geller.html ),Aureen Pinto Wagner, > Ph.D., ( http://www.lighthouse-press.com ). Our list moderators are > Birkhan, Castle, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail Pesses, and Kathy > . Subscription issues or suggestions may be addressed to Louis > Harkins, list owner, at louisharkins@... , louisharkins@... , > louisharkins@... . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thersa, We also let our son convince us into delaying going to therapy. Buy some of the books and after a good read you will understand that she simply cannot handle such a huge thing on her own. After research and finding a suitable therapist my 14 year old son looked as though the weight of the world had come off his shoulders just knowing that I was going to make him get help and that he didn't have to deal with this all alone. Joyce in Seattle -------------- Original message ---------------------- > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what has > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the past > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends 2- > 1/2 hours a night getting ready for bed, and is late every morning > for school. She recognizes that she has " issues " but is very > stubborn and says that " she doesn't need help...yet " . My husband > and I are finding it very hard to parent, as any scolding for long > showers, wasting water, making the family late, etc. brings on > either a tantrum or more OCD habits. Our house has been in turmoil > for weeks - frustration, anger, helplessness and grief only begin to > explain what is in my heart. > > I have been doing lots of research online, and stumbled upon this > group. I spent last night reading several entries, and am hoping to > get insight to ideas, suggestions, and coping strategies that have > worked for others to help us. We are working on gettng her to go to > a therapist, but are finding it difficult to locate someone in our > area. Also, is worried about going to someone in our > immediate geogrphical area because she doesn't want to run into them > in a public place (grocery store, church, etc.) > > Does anyone know if OCD intensifies with puberty? Also, are there > any herbal remedies that have been found sucessful for any of you? > > Thanks for making this available to searching parents like myself. > I can tell this will be a place I will feel comforrable sharing my > experiences. > > Theresa in Colorado > > > > Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at: > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group// . > Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ), Tamar > Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), Dan Geller, M.D. > (http://massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/geller.html ),Aureen Pinto Wagner, > Ph.D., ( http://www.lighthouse-press.com ). Our list moderators are > Birkhan, Castle, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail Pesses, and Kathy > . Subscription issues or suggestions may be addressed to Louis > Harkins, list owner, at louisharkins@... , louisharkins@... , > louisharkins@... . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Theresea, I, too, am new to this group as my 16 year old son's OCD recently went out of control and totally changed all our lives. I noticed my son doing strange things when he was 13, 14 years old and even had him evaluated by a psychiatrist. At the time I had no idea what OCD was all about. The psychiatrist said nothing was wrong with my son and I later learned that my son lied during the evaluation. Anyway, this past September, my son broke down crying and said these " thoughts " had taken over everything he does. He was normally a straight A student and ranked in the top 5% of his class. He suddenly couldn't do homework, read, write and would repeat all kinds of motions and do a variety of bizzare things, particularly at home. We immediately took him to a new psychiatrist and a therapist (who it turned out didn't know much about treating OCD). All in all, my opinion is to get him on medicine (anti depressant) as soon as possible through a psychiatrist who knows about OCD. My son's most recent psychiatrist, who I trust completely, said it takes very high doses of anti depressants to have any impact on OCD. It also can take weeks or even months for them to have full effect. My son (16 years old and 190 lbs.) is currently taking 150 mg of zoloft and, after a visit today with the doctor, is going to up dose to 200 mg. He also takes 7.5 mg of Zyprexa. The therapist and his school psychologist all concur that taking an antidepressant is essential at least to get things under control. His psychiatrist also said Omega 3 might be beneficial and recommended the website www.omegabrite.com to purchase the Omega 3 in order to ensure you are getting a pure substance. My main warning to you is to get treatment started as soon as possible so your daughter does not reach the state my son did at his worst. He missed 2 months of school and was unable to do almost everything he normally did. Starting therapy with a knowledgeable ERP therapist is also essential. My son first started out in an intensive program at a hospital where he'd go every day from 3-6 p.m. and now is seeing a different ERP therapist 2x a week. Again, look for someone who has extensive experience with OCD. Things have gotten much better with my son although he still has occassional " bad " days when the OCD is worse than others. I do not regret putting him on medication at all. My biggest regret is that I didn't pursue help for him sooner when I first noticed the symptoms. Anne Marie Re: Thank Goodness! Thanks for the helpful hints. I have been to the OCD Foundation website. I am working on finding a therapist and will check into books on the site. I look forward to talking more with all of you. Theresa > > > > My 12 year old has not " offically " been diagnosed with OCD, but if > > what I am reading here is any indication, I am sure that is what > has > > been happening to her. She has had tendencies toward these habits > > for a long time, but has kept them in check. However, over the > past > > 6-8 months, things have escalated to the point that she now spends > 2- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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