Re:Suggestion/Request

[Guest guest]

Ydati, what a great idea. I also am mainly a lurker as I am pretty busy

keeping up with my another one of my child's special needs.

Our daughter aged 12 now, was diagnosed approx two years ago (by me) when I

noticed that she was washing her hands all the time. She couldn't not wash

her hands. Interestingly, though I believe there is a true genetic

component to OCD (and indeed my brother had it as a child and now is just

generally a severe worrier), our daughter began exhibiting these symptoms

the month our youngest was seen for a developmental assessment (which

confirmed sensory processing disorder). So though I feel K had the gene in

her, it came out full blown (she had always been one to want to stay home

and just be safe with us) when she saw a huge problem in her life she could

not control (her beloved sister had a special need).

We got the book UP and Down the Worry Hill and I really think that helped K

accept going to therapy. We also went to a counselor, switched a little

better fitting one at same practice and did ERP. She had to do things like

not wash her hands right away after going to the bathroom, waiting 30 mins

to shower after school, lie on the floor in front of the bathroom or by the

front door (dirtiest places) and each day we had to increase the times. She

worked toward special treats (time with just me. which was hard as her

sister wouldn't let me out of her sight), a new game, etc. I do feel the

ERP helped tremendously. It did take work and dedication but I do believe

in it.

Fast forward a year and we moved half way around the world back home to the

US. This brought back some upset in her and as I had already found a

naturopath to take our youngest daughter to (for neurotransmitter testing,

also sometimes called TAAT, as she suffers from dev. trauma from neglect at

an early age, she is adopted from overseas) I figured I would have K's

system looked at too. As suspected K's adrenal system was all out of

balance from fighing the OCD urges and the anxieties. She has now been on

TAAT supplements since the spring and she is a more even keel kid. We also

have done inositol since that time (with magnesium) and I have found this

has helped quiet her symptoms. We still have ups and downs but nothing like

we had in the past.

I think one of the hardest things for me was the fact that I knew in my

heart of hearts that OCD is generally a life long condition that waxes and

wanes. K is not willing to accept that yet and currently we have some

struggles with getting her to take her supplements. She says she is all

better and doesn't need them but I know better. I can see it just under the

surface at times.

Having now had a good therapist, a good naturopath and time to digest and

move through my grief I can see that we have made good progress. Yes she

still has it but it doesn't consume her life as it did. Will it again

someday. There is a good possibility but for now I am going to enjoy this

quieter period.

BTW, it was my therapist today who reminded me that there are many gifts of

OCD. People who have it tend to be very deep people and I can attest that

my daughter is a VERY compassionate, feeling child. Even my pediatrician

saw this in her at a young age.

Peace,

Jane

jteke@...

P.S. If you areinterested in learning more about TAAT you can go to

www.neurogistics.com or www.neurorelief.com (the websites for the two

leading companies for testing and supplements: Neurogistics and NeuroScience

respectively).