Re: new

[Guest guest]

Hi Tara,

Welcome! You will find this group to be wonderful support. I've learned

more from the parents in this group then from books or professionals.

My daughter sounds a lot like yours. She is now 6 1/2 years old --

bright, articulate, verbal. Although she'd had some anxiety issues (like

separation) in preschool, she ended up with full-blown OCD in November

'02. She was with a kindergarten teacher who was absolutely terrible and

Angie was under a lot of stress at school. In hindsight, I could see

that this was bubbling under the surface. However we went away for a few

days (family mini-vacation), and she seemed to come back with these

symptoms, I think based on her anxiety around returning to school. Her

symptoms were reporting what was going on and asking for reassurance

hundreds and hundreds of times a day. Since it was me she was

asking/reporting to, I thought I'd lose my mind as well as hers.

Anyway, we got in to see a psychologist right away. She immediately said

the stress was coming from her being bored at school (she was reading

going into kindergarten and the teacher was focusing on teaching kids

their letters). We moved her to a private school. And 99% of her

symptoms went away. We couldn't believe it.

Then came the summer. I really believe that kids need down time (or did

believe that before this summer). As soon as her activity level started

to wane, the OCD started emerging again. By mid-summer she was back to

asking for reassurance ALL of the time. That's when I found this list.

Our psychologist had said that she didn't do CBT until kids were 8, the

psychiatrist wasn't excited about trying medicine until we had more CBT

.... Anyway, due to suggestions from Kathy R. on this list, I called the

psychologist and made an appointment. Within three days of our first

session Angie was back to " normal " again and only asking for reassurance

a few times a day. She had huge anxiety issues when she started school,

but then settled down and is back to " normal " again. The psychologist

once again discharged us because there's not enough anxiety to really

work with.

Now that I'm on the list, I have learned that she still does some

self-soothing behaviors. At the moment the big one is sucking a strand

of her hair. She is particular about certain things, but I wouldn't say

compulsive (given what we've been through). She does get really anxious

in new situations still. And I can tell that Christmas is raising her

anxiety level. I've learned a lot about managing anxiety and trying to

keep home life stable for her. I still get panicked about her future and

try not to project that far ahead.

Anyway, that's our story. Keeping her mind busy seems to be one of the

main keys for us.

Sue in Phoenix

tarasmall2003 wrote:

> Hi may name is tara. I have a 6 year old daughter with ocd. Her

> symptoms statred when she was 4-lasted 3 months then went away for

> 21 months. Her symptoms started both times in mid-October. The first

> time it was extreme separation anxiety, fear of preschool, she

> couldn't stop burping, and she kept asking the same questions that

> had to be answered " right. " I read alot of books and informed myself

> because I had OCD as a child on and off for years. My husband had it

> as a teenager. This time she has obsessive thoughts (I hate my mom,

> dad). Shes over that and now has to wear pony tails and keeps

> looking in the mirror because if she doesn't she might become ugly.

> Some days her symptoms are extreme (especially if shes bored) and

> some days nonexistant. She is very articulate in talking about her

> problems. I went to a psychiatrist and he wanted to put her on

> medication then treat her. I then went to a psychologist who appears

> to be more helpful and wants to do behavior therapy. I live in the

> seattle area and would love to find someone who truly specializes in

> OCD treatment and children. I would also like to know if anyone else

> has children whose symptoms come and go. If there are any parents

> whose children have had success from cbt. I have such a panicked

> feeling for her future and want to know any opinions on medicating a

> 6 year old also. OCD has not interfered with her school or social

> life yet. I'm so glad I was able to find this group. Thank you in

> advance for your support.

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Tara, welcome!

I have an almost 15 y/o son with OCD. OCD has pretty much been with

him daily since 6th grade (now in 9th).

After his OCD hit so hard back then, I recalled my own on/off-again

episodes of OCD, like you. But with it just doesn't seem to

ever go " off. "

Some parents in this group have noticed that OCD at times seems

seasonal, or at least seems to get worse at certain times of the

year. I still can't quite determine that with my son although with

illness/fever he does get worse.

Many of the parents here can give you their experiences on medicating

their young children; and medication might not even be needed once

you get her into therapy! We just began Celexa with my son this past

August and I feel it's helped him, however, he's not seeing a

therapist at this time (we've sort of stumbled thru this all on our

own!).

Well, got to get back to work, but wanted to welcome you! This group

has been a huge source of support for me since we began our " OCD

journey " , don't think I'd have kept sane without it!! So ask

questions and keep us updated on how things are going and jump into

any/all discussions! This is also a great place to vent on

those " I'm fed up with OCD!!! " days.

single mom, 3 sons

, 15, with OCD, dysgraphia and HFA/Aspergers; on 50mg Celexa

, 15, nonidentical twin

Randall, 18

> Hi may name is tara. I have a 6 year old daughter with ocd. Her

> symptoms statred when she was 4-lasted 3 months then went away for

> 21 months. Her symptoms started both times in mid-October. The

first

> time it was extreme separation anxiety, fear of preschool, she

> couldn't stop burping, and she kept asking the same questions that