Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Shaunna, Welcome, You might want to consider a good work up with a psychiatrist who has experience with OCD, sometimes our teens are struggling with even more ocd thoughts than we realize, there is counseling available to teach kids how to battle ocd. Good luck Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Hi, I'm new to the List. My Son as not been officially diagnosed with OCD, but I'm sure he has it. He's not on meds or anything, I don't think its bad enough to go that route yet. I guess I'm just worried it will get worse as I know there are different degrees of it. I'm also fairly sure his Grandmother has it, so if it can be in the genes, he may have picked it up from her. My Son is almost 14 now. When he was around 8 was when I think it was at its worst, he was constantly worried about lying, as if we had beat him for it at some point. He was always questioning me about things he had said and whether it was a lie or not, many of which didn't even make sense as they had nothing to do with lying. Plus if you asked him a simple question he would never commit to a yes or no answer, it was always I think so, and maybe. It would drive me batty and I'm sorry to say I was not always very patient after hearing the same question all day. He has mostly gotten over that particular obsession, although it will upset him to ever be accused of lying. I would say now the most apparent thing to me of the OCD is his fear of illnesses/diseases. I need to be careful about talking about any illnesses/diseases in front of him because next thing I know he'll be asking me about it, and saying he has some pain or other and thinks he might have it. He's not as obsessive about it as he was about the lying thing though. I would really like to know how I should be dealing with this and how I should be reacting so as not to upset him any further in the future. Can OCD's be reassured about whatever fear they have or keep asking about? Is there any literature to read on how to live with someone who has OCD so I can be sure I'm not making him worse by not reacting correctly? Any help and imput would be greatly appreciated. TIA! Shaunna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Thanks for the info Kathy, I have ordered those books... Shaunna Re: Hello! Hi Shaunna, there are two main proved treatments for OCD, the meds (SSRIs) you mention, and a certain type of behavior therapy called Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention. The first suggested treatment for OCD in kids is the therapy, though many kids benefit with a combo of both therapy and an SSRI. OCD does wax and wane, and untreated OCD does tend to worsen over time. Actually, avoiding upsetting things (things that trigger the obsessions) makes OCD worse. The core of CBT/ERP is approaching those things that are upsetting and anxiety-provoking in a slow, stair-step fashion until the anxiety around the thing reduces. No, people with OCD can not be reassured out of an obsessional worry. OCD worries are irrational, and an obsession sparks the need to do a compulsion to relieve anxiety, but doing the compulsion (asking for reassurance) then causes the obsession to surface again, round and round. The more you provide reassurance about illness, for example, the more your son will experience the obsessional worry and then be compelled to ask for reassurance again. This is tough on the kids and on parents too, needless to say, since the relentless circular questioning can try the patience of a saint. Given your son's age, you may want to tell him there is treatment for these " worries " and see what he says or wants to do. He may want to pursue therapy for example. Often there is a lot of OCD that we as parents don't see, we only notice the tip of the iceberg so to speak, you may be surprised to discover that your son very much wants to be relieved of his symptoms. Many kids are ashamed of their OCD symptoms and assume they are " going crazy " (or their obsessions have embarrassing content) and so are secretive about a lot of their symptoms. I would suggest " Freeing your child from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder " by Tamar Chansky and " Worried No More " by Aureen Pinto Wagner. Both of these doctors are also advisers to this list, you can post a question directly to either of them, just put the doctor's name in the subject line and your question will be forwarded. Another book that you and/or your son may want to read is " Brain Lock " by Dr. Schwartz. This has PET scan images that show the OCD brain and then the brain after successful treatment (therapy.) Take care, Kathy R. in Indiana ----- Original Message ----- > Hi, I'm new to the List. My Son as not been officially diagnosed with OCD, > but I'm sure he has it. He's not on meds or anything, I don't think its bad > enough to go that route yet. I guess I'm just worried it will get worse as I > know there are different degrees of it. I'm also fairly sure his Grandmother > has it, so if it can be in the genes, he may have picked it up from her. > > My Son is almost 14 now. When he was around 8 was when I think it was at its > worst, he was constantly worried about lying, as if we had beat him for it > at some point. He was always questioning me about things he had said and > whether it was a lie or not, many of which didn't even make sense as they > had nothing to do with lying. Plus if you asked him a simple question he > would never commit to a yes or no answer, it was always I think so, and > maybe. It would drive me batty and I'm sorry to say I was not always very > patient after hearing the same question all day. He has mostly gotten over > that particular obsession, although it will upset him to ever be accused of > lying. > > I would say now the most apparent thing to me of the OCD is his fear of > illnesses/diseases. I need to be careful about talking about any > illnesses/diseases in front of him because next thing I know he'll be asking > me about it, and saying he has some pain or other and thinks he might have > it. He's not as obsessive about it as he was about the lying thing though. > > I would really like to know how I should be dealing with this and how I > should be reacting so as not to upset him any further in the future. Can > OCD's be reassured about whatever fear they have or keep asking about? Is > there any literature to read on how to live with someone who has OCD so I > can be sure I'm not making him worse by not reacting correctly? Any help and > imput would be greatly appreciated. TIA! Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group// . Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D., Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D., and Dan Geller, M.D. Our list moderators are Birkhan, Castle, Fowler, Kathy Hammes, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail Pesses, Kathy , Vivian Stembridge, and Jackie Stout. 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 January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Thanks for the info I will look into those sites you listed. I really don't think my son's OCD is really bad at this point as he is the type to tell me everything, doesn't really keep anything to himself and I could tell if he was as he's an open book type child, but I am worried about it changing and getting worse in the future, not that I'm wanting to borrow trouble by any means, but just be prepared and know what our options are and how I need to react.... Shaunna Re: Hello! Hi Shaunna, welcome! I have a son who'll be 15 this month with OCD (also has diagnoses of dysgraphia and HFA/Aspergers). When he was younger, he never lied either when I think about it. In fact, he was the one (of 3 sons) I'd ask about any little incident as I knew I'd get the truth. That's not so true these past years, more of a " his side " of story now with a little/lot left out. Normal kid in that department I guess now! Also he went through the worrying about catching diseases thing. " Will this give me cancer? " or if he felt a pain, " do you think it's cancer? " Plus pains or aches or skin blemishes that he wanted to know what they were and if they were OK.... All that was even before 6th grade and his " seemingly " abrupt onset of OCD where it got really bad. So he had always had those tendencies but just not anything to the degree that it was a big disruption to daily life. Until 6th grade. Reassurance is one thing that can make OCD worse, sort of keep them coming back for answers. Of course, huge meltdowns can occur when we (parents) don't give in to answering OCD's questions. Have you yet mentioned the possibility of OCD to him? When he has some knowledge of OCD being the " reason " he worries, you can tell him " that's an OCD question " or " I'm not answering OCD " ; or answer his question once and use the other replies if asked again. Other parents have dealt with this more than I and can give you some great suggestions. Humor can be good also (I think Kathy R. and others have good ideas on that.) I didn't realize it back when was young that all those worries/questions might be OCD so wasn't handling it that way really. After 6th grade when I began reading about OCD was when I realized it. He'll still at times go thru phases asking about a pain or a skin blemish or mole and I just brush him off, tell him it's fine. Sometimes he'll ask for something to take/go on it and I refuse if I think it's OCD related. ( " no, you're fine, you don't need it... " and then I leave the area) Here are a couple sites. The OCD Foundation has a section on books too. http://ocfoundation.org http://www.homestead.com/westsuffolkpsych/Articles.html Keep us updated on how things are going for all of you! single mom, 3 sons , almost 15, OCD.... , nonidentical twin Randall, 18 > > My Son is almost 14 now. When he was around 8 was when I think it was at its > worst, he was constantly worried about lying, as if we had beat him for it > at some point. He was always questioning me about things he had said and > whether it was a lie or not, many of which didn't even make sense as they > Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group// . Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D., Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D., and Dan Geller, M.D. Our list moderators are Birkhan, Castle, Fowler, Kathy Hammes, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail Pesses, Kathy , Vivian Stembridge, and Jackie Stout. 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...
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