Jump to content
RemedySpot.com

New to the group

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

It doesn't sound bad at all. Being/feeling alone with any problem or disorder

makes it all so much worse than knowing there are others who can help you and

who (later on) you can help.

>

> Subject: Re: New to the group

> To:

> Date: Sunday, January 17, 2010, 9:36 PM

> Thank you for referring me to some

> good books on OCD.  My daughter has been on medication

> for about 5 months.  She is pretty good - when she

> takes it.  I can always tell when she doesn't take

> it.  She gets very argumentive and fidgety.  I am

> ordering two books on CBT/ERP to help.  I feel so

> thankful to have found such a supportive group.  As bad

> as it sounds, I actually find a bit of comfort knowing my

> daughter is not the only one with this.

>

>

> > >

> > > My youngest daughter (aged 13) has been diagnosed

> with OCD - germophobia and I find it all very stressful

> for me to deal with.  I can only imagine how it is for

> her.  I am a single parent and just dealing with her odd

> behaviors is very stressful for me - also the extra

> expense.  Any suggestions on beating the stress would be

> very well received.  I have a great job, but have to spend

> long hours.

> > >

> > > Diane GS

> > >

> > >

> > >       

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Our list archives feature may be accessed at: 

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//

> by scrolling down to the archives calendar .  Our links

> may be accessed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//links

> .  Our files may be accessed at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//files

> .

> Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ),

Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), and Dan Geller, M.D. (

> http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?ID=18068

> ). You may ask a question of any of these mental health

> professionals by inserting the words " Ask Dr.(insert name) "

> in the subject line of a post to the list.  Our list

> moderators are Castle, Judy Chabot, BJ Closner, and

> Barb Nesrallah.   Subscription issues or

> suggestions may be addressed to Louis Harkins, list

> administrator, at louisharkins@...

> .   Our group and related groups are listed

> at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdsupportgroups/links

> .  IOCDF treatment providers list may be viewed at

http://www.ocfoundation.info/treatment-providers-list.php

> .

> NLM-NIH Drug Information Portal may be viewed at

>

http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/drugportal.jsp?APPLICATION_NAME=drugporta\

l

> .  IOCDF recommended reading list may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.org/Books.aspx .  IOCDF

> glossary of terms may be accessed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/glossary.aspx

> .  IOCDF membership link may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.net/membership/ . Drugs.com

> pill identification wizard may be accessed at

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php .  Mayo Clinic

> Drug and Herb Index may be accessed at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DrugHerbIndex

> .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

phine,

The very first step of most OCD treatments is to see a pediatric therapist

specialized in anxiety disorders, in particular somebody with experience in

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and in particular in Exposure and Response

Prevention (ERP).

Before you start on any medicine, I would definitely try a few months of

therapy first. Often that is enough--sometimes it's not and then

medications can become necessary.

In a nutshell, the idea behind CBT/ERP is to expose the child very gradually

and slowly to those things she fears and build up her tolerance. This can

actually rewire their brains. For example, my daughter was terrified of

toxins, particularly toilet bowl cleaner. During her first exposure, she

had to sit at a table with a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner and just look at

it. Just by sitting there and talking with the therapist about her fears

and coming up with some " coping thoughts " she was able to reduce her anxiety

by half. The next time she had to touch the bottle for a few seconds. We

gradually built up until now she can clean toilets on her own with no fear

(she's 11).

There are a lot of great books, including some for children, that can

explain the methods for you and go over the pros/cons of therapy alone,

medication alone, or a combination of the two.

I like " Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive DIsorder: A Powerful,

Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents " by Tamar Chansky.

And finally, in rereading your message, I guess if I were you I would want

to have a therapist confirm the diagnosis of OCD. Your daughter is very

young, and sometimes typical behaviors (like wanting everything to be

perfect) can be just that and not OCD. I'd definitely get a second opinion

from an anxiety specialist since it seems as if the first diagnosis was not

unanimous.

Best of luck. This is a great list for finding out more about OCD and

getting much needed support.

>

>

> Hi

>

> I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has OCD. I started

> noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child was born. She would

> line up books and they had to be perfect or should would have a fit. Nothing

> I did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I stopped singing in the

> middle of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally brought her to an OT

> who said she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems about being wet.

> She STILL holds her pee in b/c she does not like the feeling of being wet

> after and will put toilet paper in her underwear after she has gone pee.

> After working with an OT we saw some improvements but there still seemed to

> be a problem. Finally, after 2 neuro peds telling me she was not on the

> spectrum, the last doc DX'd her with anxiety and OCD.

>

> The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I only have her in

> OT for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am still thinking

> about doing ABA stuff.

>

> Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all advice on

> meds/therapists etc.

>

> phine

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome, phine.

Our son went through the same thing with worrying he might have a drop of pee in

his underwear. It got worse until one day he went through 13 pairs of

underwear. At the time I didn't know he had OCD and was really puzzled by his

behavior.

He was also very particular about things being lined up and in a certain order

when he was young. He would get really upset if things were disturbed after he

got them how he wanted them.

Looking back now, I realize he was showing signs of OCD at a very young age. I

just didn't know what I was seeing. He's now 17 and doing relatively well, due

to the correct therapy and, for him, medication.

Trying CBT/ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy / exposure and response prevention)

therapy is the first line of treatment. If it is too hard for her, causing too

much anxiety, you might then consider meds. But, young children respond really

well to the correct therapy and if I were you, I would try that first.

From what I've read, it's really not that uncommon for those with OCD to show

signs of it at a young age. It sounds like that is what you are dealing with.

Let us know how it goes with the psych doc.

BJ

>

> Hi

>

> I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has OCD. I started

noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child was born. She would

line up books and they had to be perfect or should would have a fit. Nothing I

did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I stopped singing in the middle

of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally brought her to an OT who said

she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems about being wet. She STILL

holds her pee in b/c she does not like the feeling of being wet after and will

put toilet paper in her underwear after she has gone pee. After working with an

OT we saw some improvements but there still seemed to be a problem. Finally,

after 2 neuro peds telling me she was not on the spectrum, the last doc DX'd her

with anxiety and OCD.

>

> The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I only have her in OT

for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am still thinking about

doing ABA stuff.

>

> Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all advice on

meds/therapists etc.

>

> phine

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At what age was your son dx how did he do in school. Did it effect his learning

at a certain age.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Re: New to the group

Welcome, phine.

Our son went through the same thing with worrying he might have a drop of pee in

his underwear. It got worse until one day he went through 13 pairs of

underwear. At the time I didn't know he had OCD and was really puzzled by his

behavior.

He was also very particular about things being lined up and in a certain order

when he was young. He would get really upset if things were disturbed after he

got them how he wanted them.

Looking back now, I realize he was showing signs of OCD at a very young age. I

just didn't know what I was seeing. He's now 17 and doing relatively well, due

to the correct therapy and, for him, medication.

Trying CBT/ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy / exposure and response prevention)

therapy is the first line of treatment. If it is too hard for her, causing too

much anxiety, you might then consider meds. But, young children respond really

well to the correct therapy and if I were you, I would try that first.

From what I've read, it's really not that uncommon for those with OCD to show

signs of it at a young age. It sounds like that is what you are dealing with.

Let us know how it goes with the psych doc.

BJ

>

> Hi

>

> I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has OCD. I started

noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child was born. She would

line up books and they had to be perfect or should would have a fit. Nothing I

did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I stopped singing in the middle

of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally brought her to an OT who said

she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems about being wet. She STILL

holds her pee in b/c she does not like the feeling of being wet after and will

put toilet paper in her underwear after she has gone pee. After working with an

OT we saw some improvements but there still seemed to be a problem. Finally,

after 2 neuro peds telling me she was not on the spectrum, the last doc DX'd her

with anxiety and OCD.

>

> The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I only have her in OT

for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am still thinking about

doing ABA stuff.

>

> Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all advice on

meds/therapists etc.

>

> phine

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

phine,

I don't have the time to answer as I would like to as my dd's care takes up

a lot of my time and energy but I'd like to encourage you to read read read

about PANDAS, esp. on the Latitudes.org forums. Feeling wet and having

urination changes is one of the first signs of PANDAS. Perhaps she had

strep in that area? You could have her swabbed and have it tested.

The first line of defense against strep induced ocd is antibiotics,

preferably a fairly high dose of Augmentin or Zithromax. See if you can get

your pediatrician to give you a months trial to see if it help. What do you

have to lose? Psych meds are definitely more dangerous than a round of

antibiotics.

Good luck. Wish I had pursued PANDAS 3 years ago when my dd was first

having symptoms. We're treating her now but after having it for 3 years it

is not a quick fix.

Hi

I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has OCD. I started

noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child was born. She would

line up books and they had to be perfect or should would have a fit. Nothing

I did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I stopped singing in the

middle of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally brought her to an OT

who said she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems about being wet.

She STILL holds her pee in b/c she does not like the feeling of being wet

after and will put toilet paper in her underwear after she has gone pee.

After working with an OT we saw some improvements but there still seemed to

be a problem. Finally, after 2 neuro peds telling me she was not on the

spectrum, the last doc DX'd her with anxiety and OCD.

The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I only have her in

OT for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am still thinking

about doing ABA stuff.

Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all advice on

meds/therapists etc.

phine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

phine,

One of my daughters was diagnosed with severe OCD at the age of 5.  She is 6

now and on Zoloft and also doing biomedical intervention, as well as ABA therapy

at an autism school twice a week.  She also has Asperger's, ADHD, and SPD. 

She is doing better with the Zoloft and GFCF diet, but she still has irrational

fears about the bathroom and won't go in alone.  Before she went on the Zoloft,

she was checking the bottoms of her feet up to 50 times a day to make sure there

were no wasps on them.  This was triggered because there was a dead wasp on our

stairs one day about a year ago.  It slowly evolved to checking her feet for

other things (spiders, etc.).  She also used to be deathly afraid of germs and

would wash her hands constantly.  Her little hands were so dried out in the

winter time.. It was horrible.  She's doing a MILLION times better these days.

Nice to meet you!

Misty

________________________________

To:

Sent: Mon, January 25, 2010 11:19:26 AM

Subject: New to the group

 

Hi

I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has OCD. I started

noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child was born. She would

line up books and they had to be perfect or should would have a fit. Nothing I

did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I stopped singing in the middle

of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally brought her to an OT who said

she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems about being wet. She STILL

holds her pee in b/c she does not like the feeling of being wet after and will

put toilet paper in her underwear after she has gone pee. After working with an

OT we saw some improvements but there still seemed to be a problem. Finally,

after 2 neuro peds telling me she was not on the spectrum, the last doc DX'd her

with anxiety and OCD.

The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I only have her in OT

for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am still thinking about

doing ABA stuff.

Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all advice on

meds/therapists etc.

phine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't mean to discourage treatment of PANDAS when appropriate, but I did feel

the need to point out that high-dose long-term antibiotic use is not without

risk. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad ones, can cause

allergic reactions and digestive problems, and overuse/misuse of antibiotics has

greatly contributed to the large increase in drug-resistant infections today.

My younger daughter (who does not have OCD, but had repeated episodes of strep

2.5 yrs ago prior to her tonsillectomy) was on increasingly potent antibiotics

up to Clindamycin and had stomach upset and frequent loss of appetite/ability to

eat reasonable amounts due to the antibiotics.

SSRIs are also, I believe, significantly safer for long-term use for most people

than benzodiazepines or antipsychotics. Of course, everyone has their own

personal medication tolerances and intolerances. So, no pun intended, you have

to trust your gut and the best advice you can find.

Just my two cents.

(mom with OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

>

> Subject: RE: New to the group

> To:

> Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 7:59 PM

> phine,

>

> I don't have the time to answer as I would like to as my

> dd's care takes up

> a lot of my time and energy but I'd like to encourage you

> to read read read

> about PANDAS, esp. on the Latitudes.org forums. 

> Feeling wet and having

> urination changes is one of the first signs of

> PANDAS.  Perhaps she had

> strep in that area?  You could have her swabbed and

> have it tested. 

>

>

>

> The first line of defense against strep induced ocd is

> antibiotics,

> preferably a fairly high dose of Augmentin or

> Zithromax.  See if you can get

> your pediatrician to give you a months trial to see if it

> help.  What do you

> have to lose?  Psych meds are definitely more

> dangerous than a round of

> antibiotics. 

>

>

>

> Good luck.  Wish I had pursued PANDAS 3 years ago when

> my dd was first

> having symptoms.  We're treating her now but after

> having it for 3 years it

> is not a quick fix.

>

>

>

>

>

>  

>

> Hi

>

> I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has

> OCD. I started

> noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child

> was born. She would

> line up books and they had to be perfect or should would

> have a fit. Nothing

> I did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I

> stopped singing in the

> middle of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally

> brought her to an OT

> who said she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems

> about being wet.

> She STILL holds her pee in b/c she does not like the

> feeling of being wet

> after and will put toilet paper in her underwear after she

> has gone pee.

> After working with an OT we saw some improvements but there

> still seemed to

> be a problem. Finally, after 2 neuro peds telling me she

> was not on the

> spectrum, the last doc DX'd her with anxiety and OCD.

>

> The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I

> only have her in

> OT for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am

> still thinking

> about doing ABA stuff.

>

> Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all

> advice on

> meds/therapists etc.

>

> phine

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's always wise to use probiotics a few hours after antibiotics to replace

the good flora in your system. There is risk to everything but PANDAS can

often be cured with antibiotics and I don't know of any parents who wouldn't

give it a shot if they could save their child the torment of living with

ocd. I wasn't trying to say it was without risk, nor that SSRI's are

dangerous.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Kusmin

Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 8:31 PM

To:

Subject: RE: New to the group

I don't mean to discourage treatment of PANDAS when appropriate, but I did

feel the need to point out that high-dose long-term antibiotic use is not

without risk. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad ones,

can cause allergic reactions and digestive problems, and overuse/misuse of

antibiotics has greatly contributed to the large increase in drug-resistant

infections today. My younger daughter (who does not have OCD, but had

repeated episodes of strep 2.5 yrs ago prior to her tonsillectomy) was on

increasingly potent antibiotics up to Clindamycin and had stomach upset and

frequent loss of appetite/ability to eat reasonable amounts due to the

antibiotics.

SSRIs are also, I believe, significantly safer for long-term use for most

people than benzodiazepines or antipsychotics. Of course, everyone has their

own personal medication tolerances and intolerances. So, no pun intended,

you have to trust your gut and the best advice you can find.

Just my two cents.

(mom with OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

> From: Shaw <game-enthusiast@...

<mailto:game-enthusiast%40roadrunner.com> >

> Subject: RE: New to the group

> To:

<mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

> Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 7:59 PM

> phine,

>

> I don't have the time to answer as I would like to as my

> dd's care takes up

> a lot of my time and energy but I'd like to encourage you

> to read read read

> about PANDAS, esp. on the Latitudes.org forums.

> Feeling wet and having

> urination changes is one of the first signs of

> PANDAS. Perhaps she had

> strep in that area? You could have her swabbed and

> have it tested.

>

>

>

> The first line of defense against strep induced ocd is

> antibiotics,

> preferably a fairly high dose of Augmentin or

> Zithromax. See if you can get

> your pediatrician to give you a months trial to see if it

> help. What do you

> have to lose? Psych meds are definitely more

> dangerous than a round of

> antibiotics.

>

>

>

> Good luck. Wish I had pursued PANDAS 3 years ago when

> my dd was first

> having symptoms. We're treating her now but after

> having it for 3 years it

> is not a quick fix.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi

>

> I am new to the group. I have a 5 year old daughter who has

> OCD. I started

> noticing things when she was about 2 and my second child

> was born. She would

> line up books and they had to be perfect or should would

> have a fit. Nothing

> I did would calm her. She also would have a fit if I

> stopped singing in the

> middle of a song or reading a book, tv show. I finally

> brought her to an OT

> who said she had SPD, which was obvious with her problems

> about being wet.

> She STILL holds her pee in b/c she does not like the

> feeling of being wet

> after and will put toilet paper in her underwear after she

> has gone pee.

> After working with an OT we saw some improvements but there

> still seemed to

> be a problem. Finally, after 2 neuro peds telling me she

> was not on the

> spectrum, the last doc DX'd her with anxiety and OCD.

>

> The doc. suggested meds which I would prefer to wait on. I

> only have her in

> OT for sensory stuff, we have an appt with a physc and I am

> still thinking

> about doing ABA stuff.

>

> Anyone have a child that was DX'd so young ? Any and all

> advice on

> meds/therapists etc.

>

> phine

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Stacey,

I'm new here too for my 8 year old, and thought it interesting that you mention

how he stutters, because my son does that same kind of stutter. I've never

attributed it to his OCD, but will be interested to see the responses to your

question.

I do see it just that way though, that he is searching for a word and repeats

the last word or two several times until he finds it. Take care.

>

> Hi everyone - I'm new to the group - I have a 5 year old who was just

> diagnosed with OCD. We haven't decided what exactly to do about it

> but on his Dr.'s recommendation I'm reading " Freeing your child from

> OCD " by Dr. Chansky to try to get an understanding about this

> condition so I can make an informed treatment decision on his behalf.

> She called it the " OCD Bible. " I have just started it and I'm already

> finding alot of it very familiar. I have a general question for

> anyone out there. My son has developed quite a stutter - not like I

> would typically think of a stutter where just the first syllable is

> repeated like he is having deficulty getting the word out, but rather

> he repeats entire words and phrases while he seems to be searching

> for the next word. Could OCD have something to do with this and can

> treating the OCD help clear this up?

>

> -Stacey

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son did the same exact same type of stutter for years - still does but he is

14 and is definitely much better.

How interesting.  He did it ever since he was very young.

in RI

Subject: Re: New to the group

To:

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 6:42 PM

 

Hi Stacey,

I'm new here too for my 8 year old, and thought it interesting that you mention

how he stutters, because my son does that same kind of stutter. I've never

attributed it to his OCD, but will be interested to see the responses to your

question.

I do see it just that way though, that he is searching for a word and repeats

the last word or two several times until he finds it. Take care.

>

> Hi everyone - I'm new to the group - I have a 5 year old who was just

> diagnosed with OCD. We haven't decided what exactly to do about it

> but on his Dr.'s recommendation I'm reading " Freeing your child from

> OCD " by Dr. Chansky to try to get an understanding about this

> condition so I can make an informed treatment decision on his behalf.

> She called it the " OCD Bible. " I have just started it and I'm already

> finding alot of it very familiar. I have a general question for

> anyone out there. My son has developed quite a stutter - not like I

> would typically think of a stutter where just the first syllable is

> repeated like he is having deficulty getting the word out, but rather

> he repeats entire words and phrases while he seems to be searching

> for the next word. Could OCD have something to do with this and can

> treating the OCD help clear this up?

>

> -Stacey

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

with my son when he was younger, I explained to him he could only use short

sentences.  He did much better when only speaking a few words at a time then

when he had long sentences.

Subject: Re: New to the group

To:

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 6:42 PM

 

Hi Stacey,

I'm new here too for my 8 year old, and thought it interesting that you mention

how he stutters, because my son does that same kind of stutter. I've never

attributed it to his OCD, but will be interested to see the responses to your

question.

I do see it just that way though, that he is searching for a word and repeats

the last word or two several times until he finds it. Take care.

>

> Hi everyone - I'm new to the group - I have a 5 year old who was just

> diagnosed with OCD. We haven't decided what exactly to do about it

> but on his Dr.'s recommendation I'm reading " Freeing your child from

> OCD " by Dr. Chansky to try to get an understanding about this

> condition so I can make an informed treatment decision on his behalf.

> She called it the " OCD Bible. " I have just started it and I'm already

> finding alot of it very familiar. I have a general question for

> anyone out there. My son has developed quite a stutter - not like I

> would typically think of a stutter where just the first syllable is

> repeated like he is having deficulty getting the word out, but rather

> he repeats entire words and phrases while he seems to be searching

> for the next word. Could OCD have something to do with this and can

> treating the OCD help clear this up?

>

> -Stacey

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wondering if it's " just right " OCD, needing them to say it just right before

they can move on.

BJ

>

> Hi Stacey,

>

> I'm new here too for my 8 year old, and thought it interesting that you

mention how he stutters, because my son does that same kind of stutter. I've

never attributed it to his OCD, but will be interested to see the responses to

your question.

>

> I do see it just that way though, that he is searching for a word and repeats

the last word or two several times until he finds it. Take care.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. Glad you found us. I have OCD myself, we have a 9

(nearly 10) yo daughter w/OCD, diagnosed at 8.5 yrs (although she had

intermittent periods of lesser symptoms reaching back to age 4), and a 7.5 yr

old daughter, who has also seen way too much of her sister's struggles and

rages.

Is your son getting exposure and response prevention therapy (the gold standard

psychological treatment for OCD)and/or is he on medication? My daughter was

getting ERP when things were worse, but she did not want to work as hard as she

needed to. She currently takes Zoloft, 160 mL daily, and is doing reasonably

well. To an outsider, she looks great, but just last night she suddenly decided

to shower because she had contaminated her leg. She didn't tell us this until

afterwards, when I questioned her. Her anxiety level is currently up as we are

in the Washington DC area and buried in more snow than we ever get (no school

all week) and today it is snowing and blowing so hard that we don't even want to

go out and shovel. Uncertainty and change in routine are big triggers for OCD

anxiety. the Zoloft has brought things down to a level where we rarely see

rages anymore, and she is doing quite well in school. She is quite extroverted

(not sure where she

got that as the other three of us are not), so being cut off from her friends

is hard on her (and thus on us). What area of the country do you live in?

There are people from all over on this list, with kids in all stages of

diagnosis and treatment.

Try to find some time for your daughter to be away from your son, either with

one parent, or with grandparents or a good friend. That was the best thing we

did for our younger daughter when things were really tough. It was both sad and

a relief to see how much the burden lifted from her when she got away from her

sister and from our stress of dealing with it. Siblings need to know that you

love them, you will keep them safe (during an OCD child's rages), they did not

cause this, and their sibling with OCD is not being bad, he/she can't help it

(anymore than a child who throws up on your best sofa with a stomach bug, or

needs extra help because he/she broke a bone, or has diabeters, or any other

problem).

Hope this helps a little bit. Keep posting and ask/tell anything you need to.

There will surely be somebody who has an idea and many who have sympathetic

ears.

A book I recommend is called (I think)The Elephant in the Playroom. Can't

recall the author. It is not specifically about OCD, but it is about living

with and raising an atypical child in the real world. It talks a little bit

about school, but more about life outside school and social interactions when

your child/family cannot fit neatly into the pattern that other people expect of

you.

(mom w/OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

>

> Subject: new to the group

> To:

> Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 1:57 PM

> Hi everyone - I am new to this group

> and can not believe it has taken me so long to find such a

> resource.  My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed with

> OCD when he was 5 years old.  I also have a daugther

> who is 5 years old and is witness to the many struggles we

> experience on a daily basis - a hard thing for such a young

> girl to go through.  My son is a bright young boy who

> is so distraught by his OCD.  There are times when it

> seems more manageable but other times when it takes over our

> lives.  He wants to live a normal childhood and I want

> so badly to help him do that.  I am looking to connect

> with any parents out there for support. I imagine you all

> know the struggles my husband and I face and it would be so

> nice to know there is someone else out there who gets it.

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Our list archives feature may be accessed at: 

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//

> by scrolling down to the archives calendar .  Our links

> may be accessed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//links

> .  Our files may be accessed at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//files

> .

> Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ),

Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), and Dan Geller, M.D. (

> http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?ID=18068

> ). You may ask a question of any of these mental health

> professionals by inserting the words " Ask Dr.(insert name) "

> in the subject line of a post to the list.  Our list

> moderators are Castle, Judy Chabot, BJ Closner, and

> Barb Nesrallah.  Our group and related groups are

> listed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdsupportgroups/links

> .  IOCDF treatment providers list may be viewed at

http://www.ocfoundation.info/treatment-providers-list.php

> .

> NLM-NIH Drug Information Portal may be viewed at

>

http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/drugportal.jsp?APPLICATION_NAME=drugporta\

l

> .  IOCDF recommended reading list may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.org/Books.aspx .  IOCDF

> glossary of terms may be accessed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/glossary.aspx

> .  IOCDF membership link may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.net/membership/ . Drugs.com

> pill identification wizard may be accessed at

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php .  Mayo Clinic

> Drug and Herb Index may be accessed at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DrugHerbIndex

> .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication for it?

My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few quirks

before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with lots

of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with touch.

Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do

these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

Welcome to our group!

single mom, 3 sons

, now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

>

> Hi everyone - I am new to this group and can not believe it has taken me so

long to find such a resource. My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed with OCD

when he was 5 years old. I also have a daugther who is 5 years old and is

witness to the many struggles we experience on a daily basis - a hard thing for

such a young girl to go through. My son is a bright young boy who is so

distraught by his OCD. There are times when it seems more manageable but other

times when it takes over our lives. He wants to live a normal childhood and I

want so badly to help him do that. I am looking to connect with any parents out

there for support. I imagine you all know the struggles my husband and I face

and it would be so nice to know there is someone else out there who gets it.

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome Chris! My son is currently in therapy with a wonderful

psychologist who has been working with him since his diagnosis at age 5. I

initially resisted the idea of medication - even though I myself am a social

worker/therapist and know the benefits of medicine, I could not imagine that as

a reality for my son, especially at such a young age. But a few years ago we

were left with no choice but to put him on medication in order to help him

manage his OCD. It has been and continues to be a difficult journey. I have

some great friends who support me, but no one who really understands what we go

through. It has certainly taken it's toll on our family in so many ways,

emotionally and financially (our insurance does not cover the therapy or

psychitrist bills!!. So I am really hoping to get all the support I can here.

By the way - my name is and I am from Connecticut. Thanks again!

>

> Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

>

> So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication for

it?

>

> My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few quirks

before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with lots

of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with touch.

Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do

these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

>

> Welcome to our group!

>

>

> single mom, 3 sons

> , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi - Thanks so much! I can not tell you how good it feels to be talking

with other parents of children with OCD. It it just amazing that it took me

this long to find this resource. I had attended a group at one point, not

specifically around OCD but for parents with children with mental health issues

and I found it to be very confusing and not helpful at all. The parents seemed

to all be at different stages and it was not a good match. My son is on

medication and he goes to therapy regularly and the therapist has done ERP with

him. His episodes come in waves so what he works on sometimes changes. It was

helpful to hear about your daughter and strategies for that. My daughter has

been witness to many epsiodes that I wish I could have sheltered her from. It

has been very difficult for her. We do try to do things with her alone (she is

only in 1/2 day kindergarten and we have time after school before my son gets

home) and my husband and I also try to tag team so she is protected from seeing

the rages. Speaking of that...what do you mean when you refer to as rages? My

son has these " rages " that become so out of control and at first I did not even

realize that it was related to OCD. He functions well in school, a little

anxious, but manageable. He has friends and is well liked, no one would know the

chaos that occurs behind closed doors. I guess it is good that he has that part

of his life that he can have success in, but when he is home he just loses it.

t is so sad to see.

>

> Hi ,

>

> Welcome to the group. Glad you found us. I have OCD myself, we have a 9

(nearly 10) yo daughter w/OCD, diagnosed at 8.5 yrs (although she had

intermittent periods of lesser symptoms reaching back to age 4), and a 7.5 yr

old daughter, who has also seen way too much of her sister's struggles and

rages.

>

> Is your son getting exposure and response prevention therapy (the gold

standard psychological treatment for OCD)and/or is he on medication? My

daughter was getting ERP when things were worse, but she did not want to work as

hard as she needed to. She currently takes Zoloft, 160 mL daily, and is doing

reasonably well. To an outsider, she looks great, but just last night she

suddenly decided to shower because she had contaminated her leg. She didn't

tell us this until afterwards, when I questioned her. Her anxiety level is

currently up as we are in the Washington DC area and buried in more snow than we

ever get (no school all week) and today it is snowing and blowing so hard that

we don't even want to go out and shovel. Uncertainty and change in routine are

big triggers for OCD anxiety. the Zoloft has brought things down to a level

where we rarely see rages anymore, and she is doing quite well in school. She

is quite extroverted (not sure where she

> got that as the other three of us are not), so being cut off from her friends

is hard on her (and thus on us). What area of the country do you live in?

There are people from all over on this list, with kids in all stages of

diagnosis and treatment.

>

> Try to find some time for your daughter to be away from your son, either with

one parent, or with grandparents or a good friend. That was the best thing we

did for our younger daughter when things were really tough. It was both sad and

a relief to see how much the burden lifted from her when she got away from her

sister and from our stress of dealing with it. Siblings need to know that you

love them, you will keep them safe (during an OCD child's rages), they did not

cause this, and their sibling with OCD is not being bad, he/she can't help it

(anymore than a child who throws up on your best sofa with a stomach bug, or

needs extra help because he/she broke a bone, or has diabeters, or any other

problem).

>

> Hope this helps a little bit. Keep posting and ask/tell anything you need to.

There will surely be somebody who has an idea and many who have sympathetic

ears.

>

> A book I recommend is called (I think)The Elephant in the Playroom. Can't

recall the author. It is not specifically about OCD, but it is about living

with and raising an atypical child in the real world. It talks a little bit

about school, but more about life outside school and social interactions when

your child/family cannot fit neatly into the pattern that other people expect of

you.

>

> (mom w/OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi ,

I just wanted to welcome you also. I am from CT too!

I have a son(8) with OCD who was diagnosed at age 4, and a daughter (13) who was

diagnosed at age 5. I also have another daughter (14) who does not have it.

I think you will find alot of support here!

I have found that unless you live with it, you don't understand it!

Hugs

Judy

 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 7:38:53 PM

Subject: Re: new to the group

 

Thanks for the welcome Chris! My son is currently in therapy with a wonderful

psychologist who has been working with him since his diagnosis at age 5. I

initially resisted the idea of medication - even though I myself am a social

worker/therapist and know the benefits of medicine, I could not imagine that as

a reality for my son, especially at such a young age. But a few years ago we

were left with no choice but to put him on medication in order to help him

manage his OCD. It has been and continues to be a difficult journey. I have some

great friends who support me, but no one who really understands what we go

through. It has certainly taken it's toll on our family in so many ways,

emotionally and financially (our insurance does not cover the therapy or

psychitrist bills!!. So I am really hoping to get all the support I can here. By

the way - my name is and I am from Connecticut. Thanks again!

>

> Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

>

> So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication for

it?

>

> My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few quirks

before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with lots

of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with touch.

Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do

these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

>

> Welcome to our group!

>

>

> single mom, 3 sons

> , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. This group is wonderful. I wish we also had some kind of a local

group, too. Some on this site, I believe have local support groups. Is

there anyone else out there from Houston? I have a 9 year old girl in

Houston???

Beth

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

juliegarceau@...

Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:58 PM

To:

Subject: new to the group

Hi everyone - I am new to this group and can not believe it has taken me so

long to find such a resource. My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed with

OCD when he was 5 years old. I also have a daugther who is 5 years old and

is witness to the many struggles we experience on a daily basis - a hard

thing for such a young girl to go through. My son is a bright young boy who

is so distraught by his OCD. There are times when it seems more manageable

but other times when it takes over our lives. He wants to live a normal

childhood and I want so badly to help him do that. I am looking to connect

with any parents out there for support. I imagine you all know the struggles

my husband and I face and it would be so nice to know there is someone else

out there who gets it.

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2680 - Release Date: 02/10/10

13:38:00

Link to comment
Share on other sites

,

My daughter has exhibited rages from a young age (she is now 16) and they have

also come in waves as you have experienced. Certainly intensified if our family

was experiencing change, a change in her schedule, starting a new grade, etc.

She could also " function well " in public and then would " lose it " at home. The

exhaustion of dealing with OCD and anxiety all day can lead to meltdowns in the

safety of home. Has your son's doctor increased medication dosage at any point.

Our daughter's dosage of Zoloft was increased slowly until she was better able

to get through the day, or week, etc. without raging. The hormones and stresses

of high school have also intensified some aspects of anxiety and obsessive

thoughts and compulsions.

It is difficult for the other children in the family to understand. My daughter

has younger and older brothers. Letting them express the fear and frustration

they feel to mom and dad helps at our house. As they have gotten older they

better understand the illness and that sister is not just mean to them. They

are hopefully learning compassion for others and this is a good thing. We

certainly encourage our OCD daughter to apologize when she has been ugly or

disruptive to her siblings.

It is great that your son is getting help so young!

Janet

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > Welcome to the group. Glad you found us. I have OCD myself, we have a 9

(nearly 10) yo daughter w/OCD, diagnosed at 8.5 yrs (although she had

intermittent periods of lesser symptoms reaching back to age 4), and a 7.5 yr

old daughter, who has also seen way too much of her sister's struggles and

rages.

> >

> > Is your son getting exposure and response prevention therapy (the gold

standard psychological treatment for OCD)and/or is he on medication? My

daughter was getting ERP when things were worse, but she did not want to work as

hard as she needed to. She currently takes Zoloft, 160 mL daily, and is doing

reasonably well. To an outsider, she looks great, but just last night she

suddenly decided to shower because she had contaminated her leg. She didn't

tell us this until afterwards, when I questioned her. Her anxiety level is

currently up as we are in the Washington DC area and buried in more snow than we

ever get (no school all week) and today it is snowing and blowing so hard that

we don't even want to go out and shovel. Uncertainty and change in routine are

big triggers for OCD anxiety. the Zoloft has brought things down to a level

where we rarely see rages anymore, and she is doing quite well in school. She

is quite extroverted (not sure where she

> > got that as the other three of us are not), so being cut off from her

friends is hard on her (and thus on us). What area of the country do you live

in? There are people from all over on this list, with kids in all stages of

diagnosis and treatment.

> >

> > Try to find some time for your daughter to be away from your son, either

with one parent, or with grandparents or a good friend. That was the best thing

we did for our younger daughter when things were really tough. It was both sad

and a relief to see how much the burden lifted from her when she got away from

her sister and from our stress of dealing with it. Siblings need to know that

you love them, you will keep them safe (during an OCD child's rages), they did

not cause this, and their sibling with OCD is not being bad, he/she can't help

it (anymore than a child who throws up on your best sofa with a stomach bug, or

needs extra help because he/she broke a bone, or has diabeters, or any other

problem).

> >

> > Hope this helps a little bit. Keep posting and ask/tell anything you need

to. There will surely be somebody who has an idea and many who have sympathetic

ears.

> >

> > A book I recommend is called (I think)The Elephant in the Playroom. Can't

recall the author. It is not specifically about OCD, but it is about living

with and raising an atypical child in the real world. It talks a little bit

about school, but more about life outside school and social interactions when

your child/family cannot fit neatly into the pattern that other people expect of

you.

> >

> > (mom w/OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

> >

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my first night in the group and I found someone in CT...what are the odds!!!

Where about are you (if you don't mind my asking?) It is just so amzing to me -

for years we have wanted to have resourses and my son has felt so alientated.

He has friends, but will often say he does not feel like he has friends because

he does not know wnyone who has OCD. He feel lost and alone with this. I have

tried through his therapist to connect him with people but have had no options.

> >

> > Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

> >

> > So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication for

it?

> >

> > My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few quirks

before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with lots

of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with touch.

Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do

these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

> >

> > Welcome to our group!

> >

> >

> > single mom, 3 sons

> > , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi ,

I am from Northeastern CT.What part are you from?

I understand your pain. My son has one friend with ocd, but he doesn't see him

that often, and this boy has aspergers also, so they are saying it's all the

aspergers with ocd symptoms.

He doesn't really know anyone going through the same thing as him. He feels

very alienated also. It's so sad!!! He has friends at school, but he tends to

gravitate towards anyone that will accept him.

I wish there was a solution.

Hugs

Judy

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 8:40:18 PM

Subject: Re: new to the group

 

my first night in the group and I found someone in CT...what are the odds!!!

Where about are you (if you don't mind my asking?) It is just so amzing to me -

for years we have wanted to have resourses and my son has felt so alientated. He

has friends, but will often say he does not feel like he has friends because he

does not know wnyone who has OCD. He feel lost and alone with this. I have tried

through his therapist to connect him with people but have had no options.

> >

> > Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

> >

> > So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication for

it?

> >

> > My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few quirks

before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with lots

of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with touch.

Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do

these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

> >

> > Welcome to our group!

> >

> >

> > single mom, 3 sons

> > , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Small world Judy! I am from Tolland County. We live in Vernon. Who knows

maybe someday our paths will cross! Could be a good connection for our boys!

> > >

> > > Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

> > >

> > > So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication

for it?

> > >

> > > My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few

quirks before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with

lots of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with

touch. Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't

do these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

> > >

> > > Welcome to our group!

> > >

> > >

> > > single mom, 3 sons

> > > , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, . I can't really add anything to what others have said, but wanted to

welcome you to the group. Glad you found us.

BJ

>

> Hi everyone - I am new to this group and can not believe it has taken me so

long to find such a resource. My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed with OCD

when he was 5 years old. I also have a daugther who is 5 years old and is

witness to the many struggles we experience on a daily basis - a hard thing for

such a young girl to go through. My son is a bright young boy who is so

distraught by his OCD. There are times when it seems more manageable but other

times when it takes over our lives. He wants to live a normal childhood and I

want so badly to help him do that. I am looking to connect with any parents out

there for support. I imagine you all know the struggles my husband and I face

and it would be so nice to know there is someone else out there who gets it.

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi ,

I think it was someone else on this listserve who said that the child who can

hold it together in public even though he/she is falling apart at home is doing

better than the one who cannot do either. It makes sense, but when you are

tearing your hair out and struggling to get through a day, it seems a bit

surreal to hear others describe your child--and think they would not believe you

if you told them what this " lovely child " is like at home.

An OCD rage is similar to a tantrum that you would see in a two year old only

more extreme, more out of control, and in an older child. My understanding is

that extreme anxiety in children is often expressed as anger. We used to tell

my daughter that it was easier for her to fight us than to fight the OCD. She

would scream, kick, tear up her room/throw stuff, try to run away, refuse to be

buckled in the car and try to get out. I learned how to disable the automatic

door in the minivan very quickly. At home, we used a bear hug to restrain her

as she was too big to carry up to her room. She was out of control and unable

to hear or comprehend reason at these times. Once, a rage episode occurred when

we took her to therapy and she lay on the floor in the hall outside the office

kicking and screaming for 20-30 minutes without caring who observed this. We

often could tell when it was about to end as she would start to cry and the

physical tension would

go out of her body. I also learned to recognize the change in vocal tone and

body language that meant " don't push me any harder, or I'm going to lose it. "

Lynn's therapist at the time told us that in her experience OCD rages usually

did not last more than 30-40 minutes, unlike the episodes that bipolar children

can have, which can go on much longer. Lynn also did not attempt to hurt

herself during these episodes; she once broke her bedroom window (she opened the

inner window and used a hard children's toy to smash the outer window, she had

not a single cut and almost all the glass ended up outdoors, so obviously she

had some level of control that time).

As hard as it is for the younger (or older or twin) sibling, remember that many

children see and experience things we wish they did not have to and turn out

just fine. I teach preschool (2 year olds); one of my students from last year

who just turned 4 has a toddler sister with cancer. I imagine he has seen many

things no 4 year old should have to. I have tried to talk to my younger

daughter sometimes in private about what is going on with her sister (especially

when things were at their worst). I also told her it was ok to get angry at her

sister or at the OCD for causing such trouble, that this would not make her a

bad person. It was a real eye-opener for my daughter with OCD when she first

began to understand that her illness affected all of us even though her sister

does not have OCD.

Hang in there. You have found the right place. It is also important for your

son to know he is not alone. There are many children with OCD, and things can

get better. Sounds like you are headed down the right path.

(mom w/OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

>

> Subject: Re: new to the group

> To:

> Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 8:02 PM

> Hi - Thanks so much!  I

> can not tell you how good it feels to be talking with other

> parents of children with OCD.  It it just amazing that

> it took me this long to find this resource.  I had

> attended a group at one point, not specifically around OCD

> but for parents with children with mental health issues and

> I found it to be very confusing and not helpful at

> all.  The parents seemed to all be at different stages

> and it was not a good match. My son is on medication and he

> goes to therapy regularly and the therapist has done ERP

> with him.  His episodes come in waves so what he works

> on sometimes changes.  It was helpful to hear about

> your daughter and strategies for that.  My daughter has

> been witness to many epsiodes that I wish I could have

> sheltered her from.  It has been very difficult for

> her.  We do try to do things with her alone (she is

> only in 1/2 day kindergarten and we have time after school

> before my son gets home) and my husband and I also try to

> tag team so she is

> protected from seeing the rages.  Speaking of

> that...what do you mean when you refer to as rages?  My

> son has these " rages " that become so out of control and at

> first I did not even realize that it was related to

> OCD.  He functions well in school, a little anxious,

> but manageable. He has friends and is well liked, no one

> would know the chaos that occurs behind closed doors. 

> I guess it is good that he has that part of his life that he

> can have success in, but when he is home he just loses

> it.   t is so sad to see. 

>

>

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > Welcome to the group.  Glad you found us.  I

> have OCD myself, we have a 9 (nearly 10) yo daughter w/OCD,

> diagnosed at 8.5 yrs (although she had intermittent periods

> of lesser symptoms reaching back to age 4), and a 7.5 yr old

> daughter, who has also seen way too much of her sister's

> struggles and rages. 

> >

> > Is your son getting exposure and response prevention

> therapy (the gold standard psychological treatment for

> OCD)and/or is he on medication?  My daughter was

> getting ERP when things were worse, but she did not want to

> work as hard as she needed to.  She currently takes

> Zoloft, 160 mL daily, and is doing reasonably well.  To

> an outsider, she looks great, but just last night she

> suddenly decided to shower because she had contaminated her

> leg.  She didn't tell us this until afterwards, when I

> questioned her.  Her anxiety level is currently up as

> we are in the Washington DC area and buried in more snow

> than we ever get (no school all week) and today it is

> snowing and blowing so hard that we don't even want to go

> out and shovel.  Uncertainty and change in routine are

> big triggers for OCD anxiety.  the Zoloft has brought

> things down to a level where we rarely see rages anymore,

> and she is doing quite well in school.  She is quite

> extroverted (not sure where she

> >  got that as the other three of us are not), so

> being cut off from her friends is hard on her (and thus on

> us).  What area of the country do you live in? 

> There are people from all over on this list, with kids in

> all stages of diagnosis and treatment.

> >

> > Try to find some time for your daughter to be away

> from your son, either with one parent, or with grandparents

> or a good friend.  That was the best thing we did for

> our younger daughter when things were really tough. It was

> both sad and a relief to see how much the burden lifted from

> her when she got away from her sister and from our stress of

> dealing with it.  Siblings need to know that you love

> them, you will keep them safe (during an OCD child's rages),

> they did not cause this, and their sibling with OCD is not

> being bad, he/she can't help it (anymore than a child who

> throws up on your best sofa with a stomach bug, or needs

> extra help because he/she broke a bone, or has diabeters, or

> any other problem).

> >

> > Hope this helps a little bit.  Keep posting and

> ask/tell anything you need to.  There will surely be

> somebody who has an idea and many who have sympathetic

> ears.

> >

> > A book I recommend is called (I think)The Elephant in

> the Playroom.  Can't recall the author.  It is not

> specifically about OCD, but it is about living with and

> raising an atypical child in the real world.  It talks

> a little bit about school, but more about life outside

> school and social interactions when your child/family cannot

> fit neatly into the pattern that other people expect of

> you.

> >

> > (mom w/OCD, 9 yo daughter w/OCD)

> >

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Our list archives feature may be accessed at: 

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//

> by scrolling down to the archives calendar .  Our links

> may be accessed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//links

> .  Our files may be accessed at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//files

> .

> Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ),

Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), and Dan Geller, M.D. (

> http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?ID=18068

> ). You may ask a question of any of these mental health

> professionals by inserting the words " Ask Dr.(insert name) "

> in the subject line of a post to the list.  Our list

> moderators are Castle, Judy Chabot, BJ Closner, and

> Barb Nesrallah.  Our group and related groups are

> listed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdsupportgroups/links

> .  IOCDF treatment providers list may be viewed at

http://www.ocfoundation.info/treatment-providers-list.php

> .

> NLM-NIH Drug Information Portal may be viewed at

>

http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/drugportal.jsp?APPLICATION_NAME=drugporta\

l

> .  IOCDF recommended reading list may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.org/Books.aspx .  IOCDF

> glossary of terms may be accessed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/glossary.aspx

> .  IOCDF membership link may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.net/membership/ . Drugs.com

> pill identification wizard may be accessed at

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php .  Mayo Clinic

> Drug and Herb Index may be accessed at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DrugHerbIndex

> .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi ,

Your closer than I thought! I live in Windham County in Killingly!

Hugs

Judy

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 9:01:05 PM

Subject: Re: new to the group

 

Small world Judy! I am from Tolland County. We live in Vernon. Who knows maybe

someday our paths will cross! Could be a good connection for our boys!

> > >

> > > Hi, welcome, glad you found us! This group will definitely " get it. "

> > >

> > > So, is your son currently in therapy for his OCD, taking any medication

for it?

> > >

> > > My son with OCD is now 21. His OCD began in 6th grade, tho had a few

quirks before that (like tracing over letters when he wrote). His OCD began with

lots of compulsions and ritual type things. A lot of it for him had to with

touch. Also he had a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't

do these things and he had to get a " just right " feeling. I found this group not

long after it all began, luckily, and this has always been my best support over

the years. In our rural type county, no professional help and no one who " got

it. "

> > >

> > > Welcome to our group!

> > >

> > >

> > > single mom, 3 sons

> > > , now 21, with OCD, dysgraphia and Aspergers/mild

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...