Re: My 5 yr old's OCD is running rampant

March 30, 2008

Forgot to mention that Friday he said his ears hurt and today he said

he has a sore throat. But no fever.

>

> Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the book

> (calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was

helping,

> wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the

parking

> lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that has

to

> be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to do

it

> anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and count

the

> driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A

whole

> day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience. Which

> makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says weird

> stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing

with

> but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have

tried

> to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is

impossible

> to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely

paying

> for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to

him

> to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

> therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has sensory

> issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family

history

> of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get bad

and

> I have been with him all day).

>

March 30, 2008

Hi ,

My kids, OCD is always worse with an illness.Also, it waxes and wanes, so they

can be doing great, than suddenly, BAM! I know how hard it is when you have to

play therapist all the time. It's very taxing!!!

Is your son on any meds? I'm sorry, I don't remember if you mentioned that or

not. I'm braindead today.(lol)

We are all here for you!

I have a 6 yr old son with OCD, so I know how hard it is to have a young one

with it all day. I also have a daughter(11) with OCD and Bipolar.

Try to hang in there!

Hugs

Judy

March 30, 2008

*************

Felt like I was the therapist!

*********

I'm sorry his OCD is getting the better for him (and you) right now! And, in

effect, you ARE the best therapist for your son. I know it sounds crazy but

that's what my daughter's therapist told our family. We are the ones who live

with this and we are the ones that have to coach her through the rough spots (at

least while she's young).

It sounds like you're doing the right things, though. We were told to bring her

OCD to her attention. She worries a lot but keeps most of the rituals hidden.

When we see her in distress we're to say, " It's just the OCD, honey. " Help her

to recognize when the OCD is at play (although sometimes it's hard for us as

parents to know). Then we have her implement the " talking back " and " calming "

strategies ( " What do we do with OCD, Sweetie? " , " Let's get a drink of water and

try to breathe better. " )

Although that may be backfiring as the other night she was having an OCD

meltdown and I got her to acknowledge it. When I asked her what she needed to

do to get rid of OCD she said, " I need a glass of water. OCD HATES water! When

I get scared at school I have to suck on my water bottle and it makes me feel

better. " I hope she doesn't develop a " get a drink of water " ritual . . .

although I can think of many worse ones!

Beth

March 30, 2008

> I hope she doesn't develop a " get a drink of water " ritual . . .

although I can think of many worse ones!

>

> Beth

>

Yeah, like the opposite. My son tries his hardest *not* to drink

anything! I'm fairly sure it's because he doesn't want to ever have to

go to the bathroom. It's freaking me out because I worry about

dehydration, etc. And of course all my attempts to reason with him

fall on deaf ears. Fortunately he likes soup so I add plenty of water

to that, and he slurps it down. But still...

Cat

March 30, 2008

Hugs, . Could this setback be due to an event or change in routine?

Sometimes a loss of structure can really effect these little guys.

Hang in there. You're doing the best you can, and that's all your child

can ask for.

My 5 yr old's OCD is running rampant

Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the

book

(calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was helping,

wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the parking

lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that has to

be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to do it

anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and count the

driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A whole

day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience. Which

makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says weird

stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing with

but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have tried

to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is impossible

to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely paying

for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to him

to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has sensory

issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family history

of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get bad and

I have been with him all day).

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March 30, 2008

Yes and no. It started befoe this but my husband started working

nights again ( just 2 a week) and that bothers my son but he does see

daddy those days. So it could be prolonging it but it got bad before

hubby started back at that job. I know I was thinking maybe Easter

was upsetting-just because of the excitement-we don't do anything or

have family over. Plus he will be on break from preschool next week

(the 4-11th) and yikes I don't know what I will do with him 24.7!

>

> Hugs, . Could this setback be due to an event or change in

routine?

> Sometimes a loss of structure can really effect these little guys.

> Hang in there. You're doing the best you can, and that's all your

child

> can ask for.

>

> My 5 yr old's OCD is running rampant

>

> Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing

from the book

> (calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was

helping,

> wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the

parking

> lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that has

to

> be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to do

it

> anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and count

the

> driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A

whole

> day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience. Which

> makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says weird

> stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing

with

> but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have

tried

> to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is

impossible

> to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely

paying

> for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to

him

> to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

> therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has sensory

> issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family

history

> of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get bad

and

> I have been with him all day).

>

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>

March 30, 2008

, it could have increased due to illness. My son's almost

always seem to increase with a fever, and I know others have said

their child's increases when sick, or right before they get sick.

Hopefully this is the case with you son and things will soon settle

back down.

Did you ever try your local county mental health center? They

usually take Medicaid. And if you live near any universities that

might offer medical services, they probably take it also. My sons

were all on Medicaid for a while, then later with state children's

insurance. The good thing about those two insurances is they (at

least in NC) pay for mental health services. But, as you said, it's

finding someone who takes Medicaid, so many private providers don't.

I know it's hard, especially when *mom* is the main person to play

with, do things with. You might try just going along with one of

his " needs " right now, that won't drive you too insane, distracts him

from the others and give in on one that involves you less and keeps

him the least anxious (isn't causing meltdowns) to give you a bit of

time to breathe! So, yes, that means encouraging him to play with

those cars until bedtime! Just a thought.

Is he easy to distract to anything else?

>

> Forgot to mention that Friday he said his ears hurt and today he

said

> he has a sore throat. But no fever.

>

March 30, 2008

The problem with his obsessions is they cause meltdowns when not

done perfectly (and it is NEVER perfect enough!). So if he gets snow

off the cars and there isn't enough to fill the cup-meltdown of epic

proportions-add whatever other activity and same result. I do let him

amke drips in the house with th ecars if it is going o.k. as it buys

me free tim-lol!

-- In , " "

wrote:

>

> , it could have increased due to illness. My son's almost

> always seem to increase with a fever, and I know others have said

> their child's increases when sick, or right before they get sick.

> Hopefully this is the case with you son and things will soon settle

> back down.

>

> Did you ever try your local county mental health center? They

> usually take Medicaid. And if you live near any universities that

> might offer medical services, they probably take it also. My sons

> were all on Medicaid for a while, then later with state children's

> insurance. The good thing about those two insurances is they (at

> least in NC) pay for mental health services. But, as you said,

it's

> finding someone who takes Medicaid, so many private providers

don't.

>

> I know it's hard, especially when *mom* is the main person to play

> with, do things with. You might try just going along with one of

> his " needs " right now, that won't drive you too insane, distracts

him

> from the others and give in on one that involves you less and keeps

> him the least anxious (isn't causing meltdowns) to give you a bit

of

> time to breathe! So, yes, that means encouraging him to play with

> those cars until bedtime! Just a thought.

>

> Is he easy to distract to anything else?

>

> >

> > Forgot to mention that Friday he said his ears hurt and today he

> said

> > he has a sore throat. But no fever.

> >

>

March 30, 2008

is he on meds?

> Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the book

> (calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was helping,

> wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the parking

> lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that has to

> be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to do it

> anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and count the

> driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A whole

> day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience. Which

> makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says weird

> stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing with

> but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have tried

> to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is impossible

> to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely paying

> for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to him

> to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

> therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has sensory

> issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family history

> of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get bad and

> I have been with him all day).

>

March 31, 2008

,

When I saw that your son's ears and throat hurt, but no fever, it

reminded me of my children and I just wanted to be sure that you are

aware of the condition called PANDAS. It is a condition where strep

causes OCD and tics. My children get strep throat without any

physical symptoms. We know when they have strep b/c there OCD

increases a lot. Not sure if this is the case with your son, but

thought I would comment in case.

Colleen

> >

> > Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the book

> > (calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was

> helping,

> > wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the

> parking

> > lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that

has

> to

> > be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to

do

> it

> > anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and

count

> the

> > driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A

> whole

> > day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience.

Which

> > makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says

weird

> > stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing

> with

> > but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have

> tried

> > to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is

> impossible

> > to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely

> paying

> > for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to

> him

> > to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

> > therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has

sensory

> > issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family

> history

> > of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get

bad

> and

> > I have been with him all day).

> >

>

March 31, 2008

Yes, mine do too. My 13 yr old, who has no OCD diagnosis gets severe strep. She

had it twice in Feb, and could barely even swallow, was in bed sick ,etc. My 11

and 6 yr old with OCD get strep, and I don't even know it. They don't get any

symptoms except a worsening of their OCD symptoms. My dd had scarlet fever two

years ago because she had untreated strep. I never knew she had it.

Hugs

judy

Re: My 5 yr old's OCD is running rampant

,

When I saw that your son's ears and throat hurt, but no fever, it

reminded me of my children and I just wanted to be sure that you are

aware of the condition called PANDAS. It is a condition where strep

causes OCD and tics. My children get strep throat without any

physical symptoms. We know when they have strep b/c there OCD

increases a lot. Not sure if this is the case with your son, but

thought I would comment in case.

Colleen

> >

> > Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the book

> > (calling the OCD a name, telling him to boss it back, etc) was

> helping,

> > wham, it's non stop rituals. Gotta get snow off the cars in the

> parking

> > lot, then the snow (or water) has to fill the cup up, then that

has

> to

> > be perfect. I stopped allowing him to do it but he fights me to

do

> it

> > anyway, Then it's lets make our toy cars leak with water and

count

> the

> > driops, then, it's something else, and it has to be perfect. A

> whole

> > day of this and I am losing my mind, my temper and patience.

Which

> > makes me feel awful because it isn't his fault. Then he says

weird

> > stuff like " it's fun to be sad " . I don't know what I am dealing

> with

> > but it scares me. He wouldn't elaborate on that thought. I have

> tried

> > to get him therapy. He has medicaid and competent therapy is

> impossible

> > to find. We don't have money to pay out of pocket. We are barely

> paying

> > for rent and food.I spent an hour and a half last week telling to

> him

> > to boss MR OCD back and just toss him out. Felt like I was the

> > therapist! I'm sorry I am just at a loss right now. He has

sensory

> > issues too but had OT for over a year for that and has a family

> history

> > of bipolar ( not to metion he sees me cry when his episodes get

bad

> and

> > I have been with him all day).

> >

>

March 31, 2008

Hi

I am so sorry for what you're going through right now. I have 4-year old twin

boys with OCD. sounds very much like your son. The snow on the cars, the

water in the cups. I will go through a few good weeks with one of my kids, and

get very fooled that we have it under control, once I even made myself think, it

wasn't OCD, just a phase. Then, BAM, OCD comes back stronger than ever. I

definitely notice they get worse when they are sick, hungry or tired. I give

them both Carlson's Omega 3 Fish Oil in orange flavor(which they actually like).

It might be helping, I don't know.

Anyway, was in therapy most of last year. Our therapist had us start using

a " Calming Chair " at home. It took a good 3 weeks to get used to, but it works

like a charm 85% of the time now. When OCD creeps in, I tell him that Mr.

Bossy('s name for OCD) is trying to tell him how to feel again. Let's tell

him that he's not in charge of you. When that tacticdoesn't work, I twll him if

he is not able to stop, relax, calm down or whatever, he will need to sit in his

calming chair (which is just a chair, nothing I added to my home) until he calms

down. If he doesn't stop, I set him in his calming chair and I pull up a chair

opposite him, and sit and wait. The only words I say to him are when you stop

crying you can get down. He has to sit in that chair, not slouch or lay down. He

is not allowed a pillow or any toys, nothing to distract him. Once he stops

crying, then we tell Mr. Bossy to go away, and he gets a big hug. Then we go

about our day. When we

first started this. I would have to set him back in his chair about 200 times

before he finally got it. On really bad occasions, when he would refuse to sit

in the chair, or get aggresive, I will sit under him, I cross his arms across

his chest and gently hold his wrists. He hates this, so after a few minutes I

will say do you want to sit by yourself, and he will usually nod. Then I slide

out from under him, sit across from him, and wait til he calms down. When we

first started this, it could take an hour to an hour and a half until he calmed

down. Now, when OCD comes out, all I have to say is if you can't calm down, you

will sit in your calming chair. He almost always stops and relaxes and is able

to work through the issue. He has only had 2 really bad meltdowns in the past

month. A year ago he was having 8 a day. That calming chair has been our saving

grace. It even works when we are out in public. I can use any chair or stair, or

bench. He even had a

meltdown at school once. This was about 5 months after we started using it. I

talked to the principal on the phone, and explained what to do. He called me

back 5 minutes later, and said, " It was like a light switch. As soon as I said,

when you stop crying you can get down. He wiped his tears, and said " Stopped " . "

I thank God our therapist had me start that with him. We now use it with both

kids, and it works great. I hope you are able to take something away from my

rambling. If you try it, be consistent. Also, my therapis recommended that the

same person should do it as much as possible. Even if someone else is dealing

with the OCD issue. I don't know if I agree with that part of it. My husband is

not able to do this with them at all. He doesn't do it right, and when OCD comes

out and he tries dealing with it, he does it wrong and makes it worse. So once

you get it down, have others observe you , then have then do it with you, then

observe them doing

it. I think that might be better.

Does anyone else out there use this? Or something like it? Does it work?

Let me know if you try it, and if it helps. Just give it a few weeks to work.

Hang in there

My 5 yr old's OCD is running rampant

Help! Just when we thought the things we were doing from the book