Reassurance questions and relapse

[Guest guest]

My 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with OCD a little over a year ago. We

have a terrific, nationally-known therapist who specializes in children with

OCD. My daughter mainly has contamination fears, as well as some

socially-oriented fears. Lately the number of reassurance questions she asks

have gone back up to near the point they were when she first was diagnosed. I

do know how to respond (or rather how to avoid responding). However, there's

not much decrease. She knows she is supposed to boss back " OC " but she seems to

not want to or care about bossing " OC " back. She doesn't seem to apply what she

has learned in therapy, either. For example, tonight she was all worried that

she touched pee that had run down her leg. She should know from therapy that

touching pee is not actually harmful. Earlier, she was worried that she touched

my arm just after my hand had touched raw chicken (as if germs could run up my

arm and into her body). It is driving me crazy!

Perhaps this is a relapse, and as it is the first since we started therapy over

a year ago, I am not used to dealing with that. Would love some suggestions as

to how to cope with relapses or just stories about the waxing and waning of OCD

so that I do not feel so much like all the time and money spent on therapy is

for naught. It bothers me that she does not seem to want to boss back her OCD

anymore. It does not seem to bother her much, but it sure does bother me!

Sue