responses to Lainey - long!!

[Guest guest]

--- Ovadia Family wrote:

> Do you know, or can the doctors tell me, what is the

difference between this drug, fluvoxamine maleate,and

zoloft which 's son was given? <

Fluvoxamine is commonly known as Luvox in North America. Zoloft

(sertraline) is in the same classification of SSRI (Selective

Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Either one can work well with OCD.

Medications can work or not work depending on the individual.

> He is the 4th of 5 kids and I sometimes feel guilty that I

messed up somewhere with him, although my oldest daughter has

panic disorder and I was a 'good mother' when she was young.

I know of specific things that happened during his life that

may have triggered this, and one major upheaval in our family

that seemed to bring it on full swing. I know it is a chemical

imbalance in the brain and all of those things, but I also

believe that there is some connection between stress/anxiety

and OCD symptoms. <

OCD is a no-fault brain disorder. A person may have experienced a

situation which brought out the symptoms to a level of diagnosis, but

there is no research that validates any connection between emotional

trauma and OCD. OCD may be connected to a particular type of 'strep'

infection, brain injury, and, genetics.

>Maybe it is a false generalization, but I noticed that, at

least according to the people who have been posting, that

there is a common thread of divorce, single parents and that

sort of thing.<

You're right - just a coincidence! If you look at the names of the

volunteer moderators listed at the bottom of each post, I think that

2/10 are single parenting. I organize a local group for parenting

kids with OCD and 14/14 are two parent families.

With this said - several of us have one partner with OCD, or

another anxiety related diagnosis. Often the parent is not being

treated as effeciently as their child. Sometimes I think that we are

particularly special people who, for some reason, are able to cope.

> If this is the case, shouldn't therapy be necessary and

possibly even 'cure' it? <

Sometimes a form of family/relationship therapy can help a family

cope with the stress they are under. Often a breakup in a marriage

has more to do with the changes (or lack of changes!) of one person

and/or both, than dealing with a chronically ill child.

> To be honest, it is difficult for me to imagine someone

having to deal with all this for the rest of their lives. <

Let me tell you about my family: My husband and 3 children have

OCD+. The kids have participated in therapy, been on and off

medications and live a lifestyle that does not accomodate OCD. Their

father is still working on it - but he's determined to get out from

under this pressure. My oldest, Tom (19), was diagnosed at 12 with

severe ocd, hospitalized a few times, lived in group homes, etc. He

was treated with medications, and extreme measures - last December he

moved away from home: Medication free, OCD is mild, works full time,

has friends and is very responsible, for a teenager! 5 years ago we

didnt know if he would live 'til the end of each week. Adi (17), also

described as having severe OCD at 10, has been med-free for years. We

practice Exposure and Response Prevention as necessary. Ziv (¬14), is

now prescribed 150mg of Clompiramine/Anafranil. It has been wonderful

for her. She is happy, compulsion free, and obsesses very little. We

continue ERP with her as necessary.

> How much money can one spend on soap, tissues and plastic

gloves? My son has learned to cope with it by using these

things, but I don't think coping is the answer. It has to

be dealt with from the root and core.<

We dont accomodate above the most basic needs. You're attitude is

great! If you can, try to read some of the articles in the FILES

section on our website to understand more about therapy, medications,

etc. http://groups.yahoo.com/group// .

I see by your email address that you are located in Israel. Did

you know that there is an OCD clinic at Hadassah, in Jerusalem?

http://www.hadassah.org.il/news/traumatic-stress-jp-11-nov-01.htm

This is a group of very dedicated parents. We are all thankful to

have this forum to ask questions and know that we are not judged.

Don't forget to take care of yourself! Best wishes to you and your

family.

Take care, wendy, in canada

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