Welcome back...lots in common...Anne update...(WAS: Re: hi)

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellie, and welcome back.

It sounds like we have a lot in common where our OCD daughters are

concerned (I only have three children total, however, and my oldest

is going off to college September 21). My daughter, Anne, is

12...she'll be 13 in October. She was diagnosed with OCD in October

2002. This last year has been a mighty roller-coaster ride. We

have gone through three medications...now on Lexapro 15mg, changed

from a.m. to p.m. end of July b/o behavioral side-effects which has

made a difference. We, too, are on our second therapist. This

change was at Anne's request/insistence since she was having

difficulty relating to a male (after the initial hugh sigh of relief

of 'your-not-crazy-it's-OCD').

Anne, too, had trouble with ERP/CBT being 'too hard'. Most of her

OCD issues are now contamination related, but she has had the OCD-

alphabet-soup of fears...bad word prayers, disturbing thoughts,

significant reassurance need, confession, just-right issues...etc.

Ticcing and picking have also accompanied our OCD experience.

One of the problems I've had with the dianosis of OCD at the onset

of puberty was trying to discern which behaviors were OCD-related

and which were adolescence-related, especially where Anne's

reluctance/inability to participate fully in therapy were

concerned. Also, with the onset occurring at the beginning of

middle school, there were SO many changes and challenges for her

that, looking back, I am amazed that she was able to function as

well as she did last year at school. It's really only been in the

last month that I have seen a 'maturation' if you will, in terms of

Anne's determination to take ownership/responsibility for

ERP/CBT...fighting OCD because *she* wants to. I wish I knew

exactly why this is, because I'd bottle it for the next time we hit

a wall! She says she has a new attitude but can't describe it

beyond that. We also went to the OCF Conference in July where she

met some girls her age with OCD and where she attended some classes

and learned, begrudgingly...that " ERP is important " . We've changed

therapists, now with a woman who Anne seems to really 'click' with.

I've mentioned the change in medication timing. Anne also joined

the field-hockey team, so her physical activity is much greater than

it's been in the past.

For whatever combination of the above reasons, this school year has

gotten off to a great start...Anne is eating in the cafeteria

(guidance office last year), not washing desks before each class,

and CHOSE to ride the bus home instead of calling me when field

hockey was cancelled (she did not ride the bus to/from school since

9/2002!!) She was near a 10 on her fear level when she got home,

but the look of accomplishment shining on her face was priceless,

and we went to the pet store to 'refocus' ! She has also

requested to be the primary communicator with her teachers regarding

OCD ( " I have a mouth and a voice...I can talk! " ), and has chosen not

to say anything the first week so the teachers can see what she CAN

do and not assume what she CAN'T do...

I know you seasoned parents have encouraged me over the last year to

be patient...it's not my forte. I think it was Kathy who said she

wanted to " root out and kill all OCD this instant!! " , and that's

exactly my mindset. However, I also agree (now) that with our

daughters' ages and adolesence, taking responsibility and ownership

is a big part of overcoming OCD fears/rituals. I constantly

struggle with how much to push and how much to let Anne try her

wings in almost every area. I let her do all the 'organizing' for

school this week, including homework, requesting only that she sit

down with me this weekend and review all of her assignments to

assess whether her plan is working....we'll see

Again, welcome back. I look forward to chatting more with you this

year.

God bless you and your family!

(Ohio) Anne (12)