Guest guest Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 I think that puberty has an effect on some kids with OCD but not all of them.? I didn't notice any changes with either of my girls and neither of them really had issues with the physical part of it (changing pads and all that.)? One of my girls did have an issue with the thought of growing up and becoming an adult and I had to stress to her that going through puberty and starting her period (at eleven for her) did not in any way mean she was an adult.? I have heard from others on this board that puberty did have an effect on their children so it is a toss of the dice.? Kelley in NV OCD and Puberty Hello all, I am wondering - does OCD get worse as puberty hits? And does it get better afterwards? My daughter is 9 and is showing signs of puberty. Her OCD has been waxing all summer and she is having extreme separation anxiety along with it. I'm wondering if this will all come to a head when she starts her menstual cycles... or if it could get worse (PMS?)? I am looking for a light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks for your help, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 Kelley, It's funny that you mentioned that your daughter was afraid of growing up. My daughter is petrified... occasionally she'll get this far off look in her eye and she'll say, " I don't want to grow up. " I feel so bad for her. I have told her that we were created to grow up eventually in order to reach our full potential. I also tell her that there are many things to look forward to each year and that it won't happen overnight. However, when people see her and tell her how grown up she looks, she cringes... She thinks it is happening way too fast (I have to agree!). I wish I could slow down the hands of time! Thanks for you input. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 My daughter used to have the same reaction to people telling her how much she was growing up!? I think that OCD really likes to focus on things that can't be prevented or avoided (growing up, dying, etc.)?? I told Hannah for years that she didn't have to worry about growing up because she wouldn't grow up until she was ready.? That seemed to help her quite a bit.? There is never?a dull moment with these kids, is there?? Kelley in NV Re: OCD and Puberty Kelley, It's funny that you mentioned that your daughter was afraid of growing up. My daughter is petrified... occasionally she'll get this far off look in her eye and she'll say, " I don't want to grow up. " I feel so bad for her. I have told her that we were created to grow up eventually in order to reach our full potential. I also tell her that there are many things to look forward to each year and that it won't happen overnight. However, when people see her and tell her how grown up she looks, she cringes... She thinks it is happening way too fast (I have to agree!). I wish I could slow down the hands of time! Thanks for you input. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 >It's funny that you mentioned that your daughter was afraid of growing up. My daughter is petrified... occasionally she'll get this far off look in her eye and she'll say, " I don't want to grow up. " Oh, I was sooo upset when I began puberty, body changing, etc. I wasn't ready to grow up either, wanted a few more years before that happened. Funny how when younger, would think about " what I want to be when I grow up, " someday getting to drive, those type things; but when puberty began it sort of hit me that I WAS growing up and I wasn't ready. (age 51) > Kelley, > > It's funny that you mentioned that your daughter was afraid of growing up. My daughter is petrified... occasionally she'll get this far off look in her eye and she'll say, " I don't want to grow up. " I feel so bad for her. I have told her that we were created to grow up eventually in order to reach our full potential. I also tell her that there are many things to look forward to each year and that it won't happen overnight. However, when people see her and tell her how grown up she looks, she cringes... She thinks it is happening way too fast (I have to agree!). I wish I could slow down the hands of time! > > Thanks for you input. > Jen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 Hello Jen, I just had this conversation yeterday with a girl I work with. I was upset about my sons OCD - he is 14 years old. She, now 35, has OCD - doing very well now. She said hormones played a big part in her OCD. When she was pregnant, her OCD was better. She had suggested to me that I have my sons hormones tests. I'm going to do this & see what happens. Just thought I would pass on this info...it's a glimmer or hope for me. I wish you all the best! Kerrie - Macomb, MI ________________________________ To: Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 7:14:59 AM Subject: OCD and Puberty  Hello all, I am wondering - does OCD get worse as puberty hits? And does it get better afterwards? My daughter is 9 and is showing signs of puberty. Her OCD has been waxing all summer and she is having extreme separation anxiety along with it. I'm wondering if this will all come to a head when she starts her menstual cycles... or if it could get worse (PMS?)? I am looking for a light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks for your help, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 I always thought puberty played a part with our son's OCD. For girls it is even more difficult, I think, because they have the hormone surges with each cycle. Even those without anxiety disorders can have anxiety as part of their PMS. I had one doctor tell me that they found women's brains even swell during that time of the month. Good grief! No wonder we get crabby. lol If you are working with a psychiatrist, I would think they might have some good input concerning girls with OCD and their cycle. If not, maybe a GYN? Nothing easy about OCD. <sigh> BJ > > Hello all, > > I am wondering - does OCD get worse as puberty hits? And does it get better afterwards? My daughter is 9 and is showing signs of puberty. Her OCD has been waxing all summer and she is having extreme separation anxiety along with it. I'm wondering if this will all come to a head when she starts her menstual cycles... or if it could get worse (PMS?)? > I am looking for a light at the end of the tunnel! > > Thanks for your help, > Jen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Hi Jen, My daughter just turned 13 and is showing early signs that menstruation will start anytime. It has increased anxiety because of her fears of getting older and death and being able to conceive is freaking her out because of her sexuality anxieties. But she is doing ok considering. I think it will really depend on the particular child how puberty will affect them. I think as long as you and her therapist have a very open dialogue things will be ok. Melinda > > > > Hello all, > > > > I am wondering - does OCD get worse as puberty hits? And does it get better afterwards? My daughter is 9 and is showing signs of puberty. Her OCD has been waxing all summer and she is having extreme separation anxiety along with it. I'm wondering if this will all come to a head when she starts her menstual cycles... or if it could get worse (PMS?)? > > I am looking for a light at the end of the tunnel! > > > > Thanks for your help, > > Jen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I never thought about having her hormones tested. I set up a doctor's appt for Tuesday and have requested that they run a full blood and urine screening. I will add that to the list. My daugher's anxiety level is through the roof. We are up all night w/her and I'm starting to lose my mind. It's getting hard to be understanding w/lack of sleep... Hopefully there will be some kind of " find " from their tests, but I am resorting to putting her on Prozak. I will be meeting w/her Psychiatrist Friday to talk about this possibility. Her seperation anxiety has become debilitating as well as her obsessions. At 9, you'd like your child to be having fun w/o a care in the world, but w/all of this mental illness, she is miserable. It just isn't fair is it? Thank you for your insight and suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Best wishes to you. Just wanted you to know that medication can make a huge difference as much as we wish we didn't have to do it. My 9 yr old daughter had severe OCD over the summer and was, I am now sure, also depressed. Since her Zoloft has been increased, she has had decreased anxiety, better ability to resist her compulsions, and such an improvement in mood that I am now seeing how bad her overall mood was this summer. She still has things to work on (she has had accidents at school possibly due to putting off using the bathroom, but she has handled it herself without me getting any frantic calls from school). She has made friends, transitioned to a new school which she loves, and even shown an interest in after school activities. The rages and tantrums are significantly decreased. I am on Zoloft myself now for depression and low-level OCD (symptoms were much worse 20 years ago). For me, even a low dosage has improved my mood, my ability to tackle big projects (without getting overwhelmed and deciding not to start them), and my frustration tolerance. I think it would help all of us (and society at large) if we compared our children to other kids with chronic illnesses. If our children needed insulin, asthma meds, medication for ulcerative colitis, or epilepsy, we would not hesitate to give it to them, knowing that it could help them live a more normal life--even if they would always need it. Best wishes. I know how hard it is to think straight when every day (or night) is a nightmare, but there is hope down the road. For what it's worth, there do seem to be a lot of parents of 9 year old girls on this list. I don't know if it is hormones making symptoms rage, kids just being more verbal and with more long-term stresses, or parents realizing that the problems are not just a phase, but there are a lot of us here. Hang in there. (mom with OCD), 9 year old daughter Lynn (OCD) > > Subject: Re: OCD and Puberty > To: > Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 10:49 AM > I never thought about having her > hormones tested. I set up a doctor's appt for Tuesday and > have requested that they run a full blood and urine > screening. I will add that to the list. > > My daugher's anxiety level is through the roof. We are up > all night w/her and I'm starting to lose my mind. It's > getting hard to be understanding w/lack of sleep... > > Hopefully there will be some kind of " find " from their > tests, but I am resorting to putting her on Prozak. I will > be meeting w/her Psychiatrist Friday to talk about this > possibility. Her seperation anxiety has become debilitating > as well as her obsessions. At 9, you'd like your child to be > having fun w/o a care in the world, but w/all of this mental > illness, she is miserable. It just isn't fair is it? > > Thank you for your insight and suggestion. > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > 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://www2.massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/geller.html > ). 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 > . OCF 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 > . OCF recommended reading list may be viewed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocd-oc-spectrum-disorders-book-list.html > . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Kathy, Thank you for your post. I can't tell you how much it means that someone else has seen an improvement with meds. I am terrified to give them to my daughter (she has bad thought OCD) due to the suicidal side effects but her psychiatrist explained to me that her risk could be higher without the meds. It's good to know that there are others out there who have been through this sort of thing successfully (although I would not wish it on anyone!). Can I ask you how long it took for you to see an improvement once meds were started/increased? I'm sure it must vary depending on the person? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Jen, I think the response is very individual and also depends on whether or not you hit the right medication right away. We saw some improvement in Lynn within a few weeks at a very low dosage (25-30 mg). Because of this and because she seemed fairly stable, we mistakenly(?) stayed at the low dosage for a long time only to have her start falling apart in April and continue going down hill until June/July. Her birthday is in late April and is always full of anticipatory anxiety for her, she doesn't handle end of school year transitions well (and it was worse this year as she was leaving one school and going to another), and then she got sick and also got teased at school in June. She currently takes 150 mg/day, with minimal or no side effects, and major improvements in mood and OCD symptoms. We have been concerned about her weight gain over the last 6 months, but I honestly think it has more to do with being a couch potato this summer and being a carb-focused vegetarian. As far as the risk of suicidal side effects, you and her doctor will want to keep a close eye on her, but I think the risk of suicide is generally lower in OCD than in many other mental health disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, etc). Please don't take this the wrong way, but as someone who has OCD myself and has been suicidal in the past (although never attempted it), I think perhaps a " benefit " of obsessive doubt is that we can't decide if ending it would be a good idea or not. So, perhaps, in this one instance, doubt and indecision may be a good thing! Here's hoping that you have smooth sailing with the meds and do see improvements before too long. > > Subject: Re: OCD and Puberty > To: > Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 12:55 PM > Kathy, > > Thank you for your post. I can't tell you how much it means > that someone else has seen an improvement with meds. I am > terrified to give them to my daughter (she has bad thought > OCD) due to the suicidal side effects but her psychiatrist > explained to me that her risk could be higher without the > meds. > > It's good to know that there are others out there who have > been through this sort of thing successfully (although I > would not wish it on anyone!). Can I ask you how long it > took for you to see an improvement once meds were > started/increased? I'm sure it must vary depending on the > person? > > Jen > > > > ------------------------------------ > > 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://www2.massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/geller.html > ). 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 > . OCF 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 > . OCF recommended reading list may be viewed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocd-oc-spectrum-disorders-book-list.html > . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 I just want to thank you all for your encouraging words and thoughts. I don't know how I could function without this support group! I needed some hopeful words, and we have decided to try medication for my daughter. After reading your stories of how your children benefitted, I can't help but think that this will indeed help my daughter. We have been living a nightmare right along w/her and I don't see any improvements over the last couple of months... only things deteriorating. Today we are meeting w/her psychiatrist and believe that Prozak will be what is perscribed (I discussed at length on the phone w/her already). My daughter even prayed last night saying, " Please help me because I don't know if I can take this much longer. " HEARTBREAKING to hear that from a 9 year old! I'm praying that the medication will be the miracle she is praying for. Thank you again. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Jen, My daughter started on Prozac at age 7 1/2. (She's 14 1/2 now) We saw nothing at 10, or 20 mgs. When she went to 30 mgs., her anxiety increased noticeably. She had a really hard time for the first 6 weeks and then her OCD thoughts just melted away. She had continual improvement up until the 12 week mark. It changed her quality of life tremendously. As she has grown and OCD thoughts have crept back in, we've at to increase it to 60 mgs. She's been at that level for a few years now. We've also had to augment it with other meds off and on (currently off), so things change. But overall, Prozac gave us our daughter back. I know that others have had the same results from meds like Luvox, Zoloft, Lexapro and others, so if this isn't the one, hopefully you will find the right fit for her. Dina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Hi Jen, hope you get some great results from the Prozac. Let us know how the appt goes and keep us updated on her after she starts. > > Today we are meeting w/her psychiatrist and believe that Prozak will be what is perscribed (I discussed at length on the phone w/her already). My daughter even prayed last night saying, " Please help me because I don't know if I can take this much longer. " HEARTBREAKING to hear that from a 9 year old! I'm praying that the medication will be the miracle she is praying for. > > Thank you again. > > Jen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 > Hi, Jen. Dina is so right, sometimes, for some, it is a matter of getting the right dosage, or right med. For others, they are lucky (like we were the first time our son went on meds) and it worked within the first week, and stabilized him for a few years, although we did have to up the dosage at one point because he had grown. Please keep us updated on how things go. Hoping and praying for the best possible outcome for you. It's wonderful when something starts working and you get your child back. BJ > I just want to thank you all for your encouraging words and thoughts. I don't know how I could function without this support group! I needed some hopeful words, and we have decided to try medication for my daughter. After reading your stories of how your children benefitted, I can't help but think that this will indeed help my daughter. We have been living a nightmare right along w/her and I don't see any improvements over the last couple of months... only things deteriorating. > > Today we are meeting w/her psychiatrist and believe that Prozak will be what is perscribed (I discussed at length on the phone w/her already). My daughter even prayed last night saying, " Please help me because I don't know if I can take this much longer. " HEARTBREAKING to hear that from a 9 year old! I'm praying that the medication will be the miracle she is praying for. > > Thank you again. > > Jen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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