Any kids freaking out about swine flu?

[Guest guest]

We live in Texas, but many hours away from the city (San ) that has

identified cases of swine flu. My daughter (age 10), who has contamination

fears, heard about it at school today. She was pretty freaked out about it when

I picked her up after school. It will be interesting to see how this plays out,

as it seems to me that many people are now busy reinforcing the very thoughts

and behaviors that we have been working hard to decrease (hand washing, etc.).

In some ways, maybe it is a good thing to have OCD in this situation (probably

won't get sick) but bad in terms of the level of anxiety and rituals that may be

generated.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue I sometimes agree that there ARE situations (as crazy as it sounds)

where my daughter's handwashing helps.certainly less likely to get a bought

of pinkeye or traveler's stomach. No problem with swine flu issues here

but my OCD'r was off balance last week when they sent home the dreaded " We

have lice at school " note. Sometimes I do have to smile at her.

Jane

jteke@...

[Guest guest]

So far, my 7 year old daughter hasn't heard about the swine flu. But, I spent

last night tossing and turning worrying about how I was going to keep her from

hearing about it and if she does, how we're going to deal with it. I just about

knocked my 4 year old over when he turned on the t.v this morning and the news

was on, of course talking about swine flu! Thankfully, she's not quite old

enough to research on her own.

Missy

In , " sander60tx " wrote:

>

> We live in Texas, but many hours away from the city (San ) that has

identified cases of swine flu. My daughter (age 10), who has contamination

fears, heard about it at school today. She was pretty freaked out about it when

I picked her up after school. It will be interesting to see how this plays out,

as it seems to me that many people are now busy reinforcing the very thoughts

and behaviors that we have been working hard to decrease (hand washing, etc.).

>

> In some ways, maybe it is a good thing to have OCD in this situation (probably

won't get sick) but bad in terms of the level of anxiety and rituals that may be

generated.

>

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

******

But, I spent last night tossing and turning worrying about how I was going to

keep her from hearing about it and if she does

******

Kate often surprises me . . . lice at school, no problem! Making a " digestive

tract in a baggie " , no problem! Wear a backpack that was hanging 2 hooks down

from S's backpack? No WAY!!!! Find ten items in the toy box that I can get rid

of? Ack!

There is just no telling what is going to set her OCD off. Right now she's

sitting at her work table crying because she wants to change her clothes so

badly but is having trouble with her homework. She can't possibly change

clothes and then do her homework. Certain things must be done in order, you

know.

We don't watch TV and she hasn't heard about Swine Flu that I'm aware of.

Guess I'd better go try to rescue her from herself again . . . doesn't seem like

she's working through it herself this time. Ugh.

Beth

[Guest guest]

My daughter hasn't missed a day of school in at least 2 years!

I told her she doesn't need to be any more careful than usual with regard to the

flu. I said I would tell her if anyone near us had it (so as to alleviate her

worries until then), hoping it would be awhile before that happened, but alas,

it was on the front page of the newspaper this morning... a suspected case of it

within a mile of where I work and my kids go to school!

Anyway, worrying about the flu seemed to have over-ridden her fear of the

state-mandated test she's taking today and tomorrow. In comparison to potential

death, the test doesn't seem that bad, I guess. Never a dull moment...

Sue

>

> Sue I sometimes agree that there ARE situations (as crazy as it sounds)

> where my daughter's handwashing helps.certainly less likely to get a bought

> of pinkeye or traveler's stomach. No problem with swine flu issues here

> but my OCD'r was off balance last week when they sent home the dreaded " We

> have lice at school " note. Sometimes I do have to smile at her.

>

>

>

> Jane

>

> jteke@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Absolutely. My son is 15 and he is kind of freaked out because a) we live in NY

and b( we had a vacation planned to Mexico this summer which we have already

cancelled.

Worries, especially about health stuff, are a big problem for kids w/ocd, i

guess it's tied to the anxiety in general.

[Guest guest]

I think I'm more worried about it than our son. What a switch! These things

have the potential to set off our kids. Doesn't help that the media tends to

sensationalize things at times. <sigh> Fortunately, Josh gets that. . Finally!

Only took 17 years. Yay, for maturity!

Sorry your daughter is freaking. It is sure understandable. People who don't

have OCD have concerns even. Hopefully, it will turn out to be no worse than

the regular flu season and will blow over soon.

Really good point, Sue, about how we are working to reduce the rituals that tend

to be what is recommended here, to avoid sickness. Doesn't make it any easier

for a kid with OCD, or a parent trying to help that kid.

BJ

[Guest guest]

My daughter is only 7 and we have turned off the TV and radio pretty much

permanently for now. But I had an odd glimpse into her world last night. I

don't normally have a lot of anxiety, so I've had to read a lot and really

listen to be able to emphathize & understand her.

However, I woke up at 2 am, and felt a little ill (ended up just being some

disagreeable spicy food). Then I turned on TV & it was all about the flu, and

how it is different, blah, blah, blah. All of the sudden, I just had this freak

throught about how I had the flu & I was going to give it to her & she'd die,

and I needed to go wake up my poor husband (who just got back from China 2 hours

ago) and get him to watch my kid while I got away from them both. Then, of

course, I just made myself get up & get a drink of water & chill out with a

book, and I was fine. But I thought - how awful if I could not just tune that

thought out. It really freaked me out for just second, but that second felt

awful and real & if that thought just kept coming back - well, it really made me

understand why my daughter can sometimes have such rages of frustration.

We are very excited to be heading to Duke tomorrow (well, not Meg! She just

wants to know, will she have to stay overnight, cause then she'll throw-up...),

will let you all know how it goes.