Re: Can I cause new obssessions/compulsions?

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen,

I have a 14 year old son who says the same thing to me and his sisters..no one

knows what it is like for him.  His older sister's response was that " yes, we

don't know what it is like for you...but you don't  know what it is like for the

rest of us in the house " !  Without sounding mean, she hit the nail on the head. 

I realized my son had OCD while on vacation in mid July.  He has been going to

therapy since the end of July. We are seeing a wonderful therapist that I found

on the ocfoundation.org website.  She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral 

therapy for OCD.  I too was afraid for my son to see the GMA Special on OCD.  It

was aired just as I was learning about OCD, prior to him starting therapy.  I

thought and I still think (don't know if it's true) that he will pick up other

peoples habits.  Needless-to-say, he didn't watch that special.  When I realized

that he had OCD, I didn't even give it a name.  I just reassured him that I was

going to help in any way possible so that he could stop washing his hands and

that I found a Dr. that could help as well.  I was seeing a small improvement

since the therapy sessions started - we go every Tuesday - unfortunately she is

almost 1 hour from our home & is not covered by our insurance.  But again, if it

helps I'm OK with it.  Since school has started, he's in his first year of high

school, he has had a difficult time.  He cannot wash his hands during the day

anymore.  His OCD is now getting worse - picking up more obsessions!  That was

expected with the stress of school starting per his therapist.  Honestly, I

didn't know he would pick up new habits..I just thought the hand washing would

increase in minutes & the number of times.  I've spent many hours in search of

help beyond a therapist.  I really don't want to turn to SSRI's - it seems there

is some type of family history in my family that I am not comfortable turning to

medications.  I had 2 second cousins commit suicide - they were both on

anti-depressants - both were boys and between the ages of 16 - 21.  I know the

SSRI's would make it easier for him to coupe, however, I am very scared to take

that step based on this history!!  So in my search of finding other ways to

coupe I found a gentleman on the Michigan OCD get help website.  He used to run

support groups in my area.  He is not a therapist.  He agreed with my son's

comment that " you don't know how he feels " .  He suffers from OCD himself, don't

know how old he was but sounded older based on this voice.  I asked him how can

I help understand what my son is going through.  He recommended the book " What

to do when your child has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder " by Aureen Pinto

Wagner.  This book can be ordered online at www.lighthouse_press.com.  I tried

to purchase it at a local book store, but they had to order it.  So I don't have

it yet, she also

wrote a book for children with OCD.  I found that one on the lighthouse

website.  My son is not too thrilled with me getting either book, but I am

anyways!  

 

Sorry for the lenghty reply.  I hope some of it helps! 

 

Best Wishes:)

Kerrie - Macomb, MI

________________________________

To:

Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 8:55:15 AM

Subject: Can I cause new obssessions/compulsions?

 

Hi,

 

My daughter (13yrs) has mentioned many times that no one has what she has or

knows what it's like for her.  I found a program on abc.com about children with

OCD and the hope of how it can be treated with SSRI's and ERP therapy.  It was

heart wrenching to watch, for me, but thought it had a happy ending so it would

be of help.  I am thinking that she will see the kids profiled and feel much

better knowing there are some kids with even more severe degrees of it and have

gotten through some really hard stuff.  My only concern is, could she develop

new obssesions and from getting ideas by watching this?  I know that OCD is

really tricky and she is not even close to finding the right SSRI for it and

hasn't begun ERP yet.  (still looking for a therapist covered by our insurance)

 

Thanks for your input,

Colleen

Colleen

[Guest guest]

I don't think you will cause new obsessions/compulsions.? My kids both have OCD

and couldn't be more different in their " issues. " ? They are often puzzled by

each other's compulsions.? Kelley in NV

[Guest guest]

I read somewhere that new obsessions don't begin from seeing or hearing

about other people's OCD. I can't tell you which book I read it in at this

point though. OCD does change faces though, regardless.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kerrie and Colleen too!

Just wanted to say that OCD, and new thoughts, can be triggered by just about

anything. You can't really prevent this. However, with a younger child I might

protect from seeing something if I thought it would not ultimately be helpful.

The theme, that " no one understands " , is common, and is valid really. Ours was

15 at severe onset and said and felt this always. They generally don't have

much energy left to worry about how it might be affecting those around them,

plus self centred nature of a teen added, we found.

Ours was not interested in hearing about anyone else with OCD, or to connect

with anyone, and in fact would insist he was the only one who suffered as much

as he did(somewhat individual to personality, age and stage, I suspect). Many

girls I hear of want very much to connect with others and to talk about it.

Also, OCD can swich from one thing to another, just the nature of it. Ours had

contamination issues, and it could switch from needing to shower for long

periods, to the opposite, not showering to avoid the stress of it all. OCD will

search for things to worry and obsess about, and that can occur just within the

mind, without any outside encouragement.... Ours has a great imagination that

just fed into the OCD, never-endingly!

Would also switch from contamination stuff to " just right " stuff, where things

have to go a certain way, or finish a certain way, or feel a certain way. It

would seem like the contamination stuff would disappear, and we would think it

was better, but it had switched to something else, often that was hidden. Or

our son was doing mental rituals in his head to counter it, and not have to do

physical rituals that would be seen.

In the end, with ours, there is nothing to see, it was all mental rituals, and

could be hidden. So it can be hard to know sometimes what all is going on in

their heads! You generally know if it is an OCD thing though, because there is

a distinct reaction and added charge there.

Kerrie, I can understand you concerns about medications. We have this history

in our family too, and bipolar. I was very hesitant, but in the end there was

no choice. If you discuss your concerns and give the family history, and then

go very slowly with the meds, so that you can watch carefully. It is not an

easy decision, but for many it can make such a difference.

Alternately, there is something called inositol, a natural source of

serotonin(easiest description). Here is a link that will give you more

information about this -

http://westsuffolkpsych.homestead.com/inositol_and_ocd.html

You will also find some articles on OCD at this website, go to the homepage for

links to.

" Talking Back To OCD " , by March, is a good workbook you might look into.

Aureen Pinto-Wagner's book is very good for all 'round coverage of everything

OCD.

Hang in there, and keep getting more information. The more you understand this

disorder the better equipped you will be to work with it.

Warmly,

Barb

Ontario, Canada

Son 18, OCD, LD - doing quite well now, for one year!

>

> Hi Colleen,

>

> I have a 14 year old son who says the same thing to me and his sisters..no one

knows what it is like for him.  His older sister's response was that " yes, we

don't know what it is like for you...but you don't  know what it is like for the

rest of us in the house " !  Without sounding mean, she hit the nail on the head. 

I realized my son had OCD while on vacation in mid July.  He has been going to

therapy since the end of July. We are seeing a wonderful therapist that I found

on the ocfoundation.org website.  She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral 

therapy for OCD.  I too was afraid for my son to see the GMA Special on OCD.  It

was aired just as I was learning about OCD, prior to him starting therapy.  I

thought and I still think (don't know if it's true) that he will pick up other

peoples habits.  Needless-to-say, he didn't watch that special.  When I realized

that he had OCD, I didn't even give it a name.  I just reassured him that I was

> going to help in any way possible so that he could stop washing his hands and

that I found a Dr. that could help as well.  I was seeing a small improvement

since the therapy sessions started - we go every Tuesday - unfortunately she is

almost 1 hour from our home & is not covered by our insurance.  But again, if it

helps I'm OK with it.  Since school has started, he's in his first year of high

school, he has had a difficult time.  He cannot wash his hands during the day

anymore.  His OCD is now getting worse - picking up more obsessions!  That was

expected with the stress of school starting per his therapist.  Honestly, I

didn't know he would pick up new habits..I just thought the hand washing would

increase in minutes & the number of times.  I've spent many hours in search of

help beyond a therapist.  I really don't want to turn to SSRI's - it seems there

is some type of family history in my family that I am not comfortable have been

removed]

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen - I used to worry a LOT about this as well. I'll tell you that

before she had ERP therapy and learned to " beat up thoughts " that she does not

want, and to recognize an OCD thought, that pretty much anything could get

incorporated into the OCD. It was a hard time, and I often felt guilty for

telling her something - when in reality, other kids would not have had an issue

with it. If she has OCD, anything can get twisted about. So in my opinion,

there is not much point in avoidance. Just get the EPR therapy!

I'd let her watch, if she is relatively mature. If not, then perhaps books

would be more appropriate. I know there are some great books about OCD for

teens. Maybe someone will recommend here - mine are all more for the 10 and

under crowd.

I'll keep my thoughts for you about an ERP therapist that your insurance will

cover.

all my best - in NC.

>

> Hi,

>  

> My daughter (13yrs) has mentioned many times that no one has what she has or

knows what it's like for her.  I found a program on abc.com about children with

OCD and the hope of how it can be treated with SSRI's and ERP therapy.  It was

heart wrenching to watch, for me, but thought it had a happy ending so it would

be of help.  I am thinking that she will see the kids profiled and feel much

better knowing there are some kids with even more severe degrees of it and have

gotten through some really hard stuff.  My only concern is, could she develop

new obssesions and from getting ideas by watching this?  I know that OCD is

really tricky and she is not even close to finding the right SSRI for it and

hasn't begun ERP yet.  (still looking for a therapist covered by our insurance)

>  

> Thanks for your input,

> Colleen

[Guest guest]

That's so funny! sometimes we read a book with dd8 about someone else, or meet

someone with different compulsions, and she will actually say " how can they

think that mom! " . Which just makes me smile - and then we talk about empathy,

and how to relate back to her fears. She has cousins with OCD, so that helps to

normalize.

I did find that she would pick up a fear or compulsion that was related to her

area (scrupulosity and contamination) but would not pick up tapping or hoarding,

etc. Once the ERP really kicked in, then she was better able to handle learning

things in her area of concern. Which is a good thing, because 3rd graders seem

to talk about barfing and poision, etc ALL THE TIME! in NC.

>

> I don't think you will cause new obsessions/compulsions.? My kids both have

OCD and couldn't be more different in their " issues. " ? They are often puzzled by

each other's compulsions.? Kelley in NV

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen, what with all the books, plus ones for kids, about OCD and giving

situations/OC behaviors in them, I don't think she'll " pick up " any new

obsessions from watching it. Usually the books, hearing about others, meeting

others at a support group or at the OCD conference, etc., benefits them.

That said, can't say it might not prick any present OC behaviors, a chance it

could. Say, if she's worried about germs constantly, maybe something in the

show might be said about a " germy object " that she hadn't thought about before

and start to avoid touching (e.g., money). Another - my son suffers from

scrupulosity type OCD. I had a " touch " of this myself in the past but hadn't

been bothered by it in years much. So when his scrupe began and was severe and

I, of course, began thinking/worrying so much about his suffering and what his

thoughts/worries might be (he wouldn't be specific), have to say this pricked my

thoughts back up; only I can shrug them off, but they do pop in my head now. --

Like with this " doubting disease " of OCD there is no 100% certainty on anything.

(okay, besides what, death & taxes?)

Anyway - I'd go for her watching it.

>

> Hi,

>  

> My daughter (13yrs) has mentioned many times that no one has what she has or

knows what it's like for her.  I found a program on abc.com about children with

OCD and the hope of how it can be treated with SSRI's and ERP therapy.  It was

heart wrenching to watch, for me, but thought it had a happy ending so it would

be of help.  I am thinking that she will see the kids profiled and feel much

better knowing there are some kids with even more severe degrees of it and have

gotten through some really hard stuff.  My only concern is, could she develop

new obssesions and from getting ideas by watching this?  I know that OCD is

really tricky and she is not even close to finding the right SSRI for it and

hasn't begun ERP yet.  (still looking for a therapist covered by our insurance)

>  

> Thanks for your input,

> Colleen

>

>

> Colleen

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Thank you for the information on inositol.  I may give that a try... sounds

promising.  The book Talking Back to OCD, is that helpful in ways for me to help

coach my son?  I never realized how horrible OCD is.  People toss the term OCD

around all the time not really knowing what real OCD does to a person.  It is

devasting watching the pain my son is going through.  

Thank you and glad to hear your son is doing better!  Gives me the hope I am

looking for.

Kerrie

________________________________

To:

Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 2:26:34 PM

Subject: Re: Can I cause new obssessions/compulsions?

 

Hi Kerrie and Colleen too!

Just wanted to say that OCD, and new thoughts, can be triggered by just about

anything. You can't really prevent this. However, with a younger child I might

protect from seeing something if I thought it would not ultimately be helpful.

The theme, that " no one understands " , is common, and is valid really. Ours was

15 at severe onset and said and felt this always. They generally don't have much

energy left to worry about how it might be affecting those around them, plus

self centred nature of a teen added, we found.

Ours was not interested in hearing about anyone else with OCD, or to connect

with anyone, and in fact would insist he was the only one who suffered as much

as he did(somewhat individual to personality, age and stage, I suspect). Many

girls I hear of want very much to connect with others and to talk about it.

Also, OCD can swich from one thing to another, just the nature of it. Ours had

contamination issues, and it could switch from needing to shower for long

periods, to the opposite, not showering to avoid the stress of it all. OCD will

search for things to worry and obsess about, and that can occur just within the

mind, without any outside encouragement. ... Ours has a great imagination that

just fed into the OCD, never-endingly!

Would also switch from contamination stuff to " just right " stuff, where things

have to go a certain way, or finish a certain way, or feel a certain way. It

would seem like the contamination stuff would disappear, and we would think it

was better, but it had switched to something else, often that was hidden. Or our

son was doing mental rituals in his head to counter it, and not have to do

physical rituals that would be seen.

In the end, with ours, there is nothing to see, it was all mental rituals, and

could be hidden. So it can be hard to know sometimes what all is going on in

their heads! You generally know if it is an OCD thing though, because there is a

distinct reaction and added charge there.

Kerrie, I can understand you concerns about medications. We have this history in

our family too, and bipolar. I was very hesitant, but in the end there was no

choice. If you discuss your concerns and give the family history, and then go

very slowly with the meds, so that you can watch carefully. It is not an easy

decision, but for many it can make such a difference.

Alternately, there is something called inositol, a natural source of

serotonin(easiest description) . Here is a link that will give you more

information about this -

http://westsuffolkp sych.homestead. com/inositol_ and_ocd.html

You will also find some articles on OCD at this website, go to the homepage for

links to.

" Talking Back To OCD " , by March, is a good workbook you might look into.

Aureen Pinto-Wagner' s book is very good for all 'round coverage of everything

OCD.

Hang in there, and keep getting more information. The more you understand this

disorder the better equipped you will be to work with it.

Warmly,

Barb

Ontario, Canada

Son 18, OCD, LD - doing quite well now, for one year!

>

> Hi Colleen,

>

> I have a 14 year old son who says the same thing to me and his sisters..no one

knows what it is like for him.  His older sister's response was that " yes, we

don't know what it is like for you...but you don't  know what it is like for the

rest of us in the house " !  Without sounding mean, she hit the nail on the head. 

I realized my son had OCD while on vacation in mid July.  He has been going to

therapy since the end of July. We are seeing a wonderful therapist that I found

on the ocfoundation. org website.  She specializes in Cognitive-Behaviora l 

therapy for OCD.  I too was afraid for my son to see the GMA Special on OCD.  It

was aired just as I was learning about OCD, prior to him starting therapy.  I

thought and I still think (don't know if it's true) that he will pick up other

peoples habits.  Needless-to- say, he didn't watch that special.  When I

realized that he had OCD, I didn't even give it a name.  I just reassured him

that I

was

> going to help in any way possible so that he could stop washing his hands and

that I found a Dr. that could help as well.  I was seeing a small improvement

since the therapy sessions started - we go every Tuesday - unfortunately she is

almost 1 hour from our home & is not covered by our insurance.  But again, if it

helps I'm OK with it.  Since school has started, he's in his first year of high

school, he has had a difficult time.  He cannot wash his hands during the day

anymore.  His OCD is now getting worse - picking up more obsessions!  That was

expected with the stress of school starting per his therapist.  Honestly, I

didn't know he would pick up new habits..I just thought the hand washing would

increase in minutes & the number of times.  I've spent many hours in search of

help beyond a therapist.  I really don't want to turn to SSRI's - it seems there

is some type of family history in my family that I am not comfortable have been

removed]

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Kerrie,

Yes, I found the workbook helpful, and I think you would get some strategies out

of it. It is the ERP approach spelled out basically. Can't remember now,

everything in it, read so many books. But it is in the format of a workbook, so

it could provide a structure for you to work from.

Do you think your son would be willing to work with you? Ours really would not,

but still it gave me ideas, and helped me be clear on what needed to happen,

even if we couldn't do it! Can be the toughest part, getting them on board.

It IS devastating to watch your child suffer, I understand, as does everyone

here. As difficult as it is, know that your son can learn how to manage it, and

to get his life back. I remember feeling that would never happen, and really

did lose hope for a while, as our son seemed lost to us. But eventually when

medications were stabilized, and the anxiety reduced, he was what I call " ready,

willing, and able " to take it on.

Do take care of yourself! Caring for someone with OCD really takes it's toll,

and can take you down too. It will get easier with time, and crazy as it

sounds, becomes your " normal " .

Hugs to you!

Barb

> >

> > Hi Colleen,

> >

> > I have a 14 year old son who says the same thing to me and his sisters..no

one knows what it is like for him.  His older sister's response was that " yes,

we don't know what it is like for you...but you don't  know what it is like for

the rest of us in the house " !  Without sounding mean, she hit the nail on the

head.  I realized my son had OCD while on vacation in mid July.  He has been

going to therapy since the end of July. We are seeing a wonderful therapist that

I found on the ocfoundation. org website.  She specializes in

Cognitive-Behaviora l  therapy for OCD.  I too was afraid for my son to see the

GMA Special on OCD.  It was aired just as I was learning about OCD, prior to him

starting therapy.  I thought and I still think (don't know if it's true) that he

will pick up other peoples habits.  Needless-to- say, he didn't watch that

special.  When I realized that he had OCD, I didn't even give it a name.  I just

reassured him that I

> was

> > going to help in any way possible so that he could stop washing his

hands and that I found a Dr. that could help as well.  I was seeing a small

improvement since the therapy sessions started - we go every Tuesday -

unfortunately she is almost 1 hour from our home & is not covered by our

insurance.  But again, if it helps I'm OK with it.  Since school has started,

he's in his first year of high school, he has had a difficult time.  He cannot

wash his hands during the day anymore.  His OCD is now getting worse - picking

up more obsessions!  That was expected with the stress of school starting

per his therapist.  Honestly, I didn't know he would pick up new habits..I just

thought the hand washing would increase in minutes & the number of times.  I've

spent many hours in search of help beyond a therapist.  I really don't want to

turn to SSRI's - it seems there is some type of family history in my family that

I am not comfortable have been

> removed]

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I haven't shown the ABC episode to my 11-yr. old daughter, , but it's

because she has contamination fears. I'm afraid that if she sees the girl who

washed out the washer before doing laundry, will start wondering about the

cleanliness of our washer. We have lots of issues already with clothes being

dirty because they touched the floor, or pillows being dirty because they

touched the sofa! Joanne

[Guest guest]

Colleen, was this a 20/20 episode, or what was the name?

Thanks,

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Can I cause new obssessions/compulsions?

Hi,

 

My daughter (13yrs) has mentioned many times that no one has what she has or

knows what it's like for her.  I found a program on abc.com about children with

OCD and the hope of how it can be treated with SSRI's and ERP therapy.  It was

heart wrenching to watch, for me, but thought it had a happy ending so it would

be of help.  I am thinking that she will see the kids profiled and feel much

better knowing there are some kids with even more severe degrees of it and have

gotten through some really hard stuff.  My only concern is, could she develop

new obssesions and from getting ideas by watching this?  I know that OCD is

really tricky and she is not even close to finding the right SSRI for it and

hasn't begun ERP yet.  (still looking for a therapist covered by our insurance)

 

Thanks for your input,

Colleen

Colleen