Another update

[Guest guest]

I just have to add that my son is actually doing fairly well now that I

withdrew him from the hospital program. In a round about way, the hospital

helped

him. He is determined to get better and NEVER go back to the hospital.

I have been trying the " humor " method that others have talked about on this

list. Today my older son walked out of (ocd) ds's room without wiping his feet.

This usually causes a major breakdown and tears for at least an hour. Ds was

panicking and calling to me to tell me to send his brother back to wipe his

feet. I then told him, " You know what. You can come out of your room and look

for your missing dust. When you find it then tell it to get back in your room

because you missed it so much! " Ds then started laughing, turned back into his

room and continued to play! Wow, this worked out good. I've been using humor

all day and so far there have been no tears today!

The other thing we've been doing is taking one thing away each day (since he

left the hospital). I let him choose but I tell him he will stop one thing

every day till he can control ocd. He has decided not to get stuck any more (and

hasn't since). He gave up his plastic bag that he carried everywhere to

collect dust, specks, hairs, etc. He started playing with toys (army men) that

he

couldn't move out of posistion before (they would never look the same if he

moved them) and today he stopped asking us to wipe our feet when leaving his

room.

He even walked out without wiping his own. Tonight, he is asking us again to

wipe our feet but just now he said he thinks he needs two days to get that one

because it's really hard for him. I cannot believe the progress he's making.

I also called our insurance and luckily got hold of a different person that

was very willing to help us. (The first person told me they weren't allowed to

recommend any Drs but that we could go to their web site and start calling

Drs to ask questions our selves.) This guy told me he would look up specific Drs

that only treated OCD kids and would give us the names of several for us to

choose from (because he can't recommend a specific Dr.)

So my hopes are back up...WAY up! Things are looking much better at the

moment. It is really depressing to look up hoarding on the internet and read

that

it is very hard to deal with. My son, in just 5 - 6 weeks that this has

started, has lots and lots of big black trash bags full of " stuff " he is saving.

All

trash, nothing useful like ribbon, etc. It's dust, specks, lint, used paper

cups, paper towels, paper plates, wrappers (hamburger, etc), Mc bags, and

those french fry holder things, etc etc.

I just want to thank all of you that have replied to my many messages. Half

of which probably didn't make much sense. I've read everything and believe me,

appreciated each and every one. I hope to learn all about treating ocd

hoarding and hopefully be able to help others. My Father, at one time spoke to

me

about opening a preschool (I was a preschool teacher for years and then an

assistant chemist for Goodyear...I know, big change) but now we've been talking

about opening a ocd center for kids where parents an stay or watch through a

double pane window. Where the " helpers " are caring and patient. Maybe even

include

a place where the parents can stay (like the Mc house). Well, it's an

idea and would be wonderful if it ever came about. I know what I've been

searching for and there doesn't seem to be one, so it would be nice if there was

one

available.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you again.

Sincerely,

Debbi and family