Re: 10 yod is becoming a hypochondriac

[Guest guest]

,

If you are able to, try to arrange some time for yourself. It really does help

to get away even for a few hours or a day. It does sound like part of the OCD,

and it seems to me that they have found hypochondriac symptoms to be related to

OCD. You might try answering her once and then reminding her that you have

answered her. My daughter, 9 yo with OCD, will sometimes complain of not

wanting to go to school due to some ache or impending illness. I usually tell

her she can go to school, and if she still doesn't feel well, she can go to the

nurse after a while. Generally this works with her. She doesn't go to the

nurse and/or doesn't get sent home. I know this wouldn't work with all kids.

You do know your own child though and you will figure out when she really needs

medical attention. My 7 yo daughter is usually fairly stoic about pain and the

older one is not, but I often can figure out the signs that mean something is

not quite right.

Today, for one of the first times, my 9 yo independently figured out why she was

having a harder time than usual finishing her washing. It didn't get her out of

the bathroom any quicker, but she realized that the combination of her father

being away, recovering from an illness, and her sister's friend arriving just as

she started were contributing factors instead of insisting that it was just

because she really was " germy " this time. It's more insight than she has

previously shown!

Good luck to you. Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

(mom w/OCD, 9 you duaghter w/ OCD)

>

> Subject: 10 yod is becoming a hypochondriac

> To:

> Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 7:15 PM

> She is obsessed with every little

> ache and pain.  Asking, " Am I going to be okay? "  

> " take me to the Dr./hospital. " which she is normally scared

> of going there.  It is driving me

> crazy!   I am concerned that I won't know

> when she really does need medical attention.  She has

> also used them to try and get out of going somewhere and

> then either I caught her or she admitted she didn't really

> hurt that bad she just didn't want to go.  As I stated

> it is about to drive me insane.  I am so tired of

> dealing with it all; worry thoughts, fears, obsessions and

> now this.  I need a vacation from it all.  I know

> she is going through a lot also.  It is so hard on

> everyone.

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

I can relate...my daughter has been dealing with chronic stomach pain for a long

while now (her OCD and GAD has spiked this last 6 months, along with the pain).

Once she called us from school complaining, and we were really torn about what

to do. We didn't want to ignore her pain (because even if its anxiety related, I

KNOW she feels the pain) but we didn't want to start a habitual avoidance of

school. So we brought her home- it was just before lunch- fed her lunch in the

calmer atmosphere at home (her appetite has been a chronic issue as well, and

she's been losing a pound a week for two months now) and let her swing in the

back yard for ten minutes (because she also missed recess). But we were able to

take her back to school after this, and she did fine the rest of the day. And so

far she hasn't called home sick again. It is hard, tho, I understand your

frustration at deciphering it all. Since my DD9 has had a specific focus on her

pain, we are taking her to a GI specialist for medical rule outs.

, in Appleton, WI

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

10 yod is becoming a hypochondriac

She is obsessed with every little ache and pain. Asking, " Am I going to be

okay? " " take me to the Dr./hospital. " which she is normally scared of going

there. It is driving me crazy! I am concerned that I won't know when she

really does need medical attention. She has also used them to try and get out

of going somewhere and then either I caught her or she admitted she didn't

really hurt that bad she just didn't want to go. As I stated it is about to

drive me insane. I am so tired of dealing with it all; worry thoughts, fears,

obsessions and now this. I need a vacation from it all. I know she is going

through a lot also. It is so hard on everyone.

[Guest guest]

My 12 year old is very similar. There is definately a balance that

has to be struck with getting information and then turning them off.

I take my daughter to the MD when she is sick and get a treatment

plan from them. And we kept to it. And when she gets worried that she may not be

getting better I call the nurse (even if I know it takes

2-3 days for an antibodic to work) and ask about her concern and

give her the info and then I try to get her to not worry that

she is under a doctors care.

I think you will know if she needs to go to the doctor if you follow some

guidelines that your doctor can help you with.

Our doctor is very busy but if I say she feels she is getting a

sinus infection (she is very fearful of this) they will give her an exam and

then remind her to use her nasal spray and saline

sprays and this really seems to calm her to do something concrete for her

health.

I don't know what they can suggest, it depends on the issue.

But I think it will help you to have the nurse or doctor help

you too.

With this kidos we have to take one issue at a time, one day at a time. When I

met a new doctor and I have to go over all the

issues it gives me a pain in the chest to see the whole

picture.

Well the virus season is here we have to figure out how to help

these kids cope better. As you said it is overwhelming.

I hope your doctor can be of a help.

Pam

>

> She is obsessed with every little ache and pain. Asking, " Am I going to be

okay? " " take me to the Dr./hospital. " which she is normally scared of going

there. It is driving me crazy! I am concerned that I won't know when she

really does need medical attention. She has also used them to try and get out

of going somewhere and then either I caught her or she admitted she didn't

really hurt that bad she just didn't want to go. As I stated it is about to

drive me insane. I am so tired of dealing with it all; worry thoughts, fears,

obsessions and now this. I need a vacation from it all. I know she is going

through a lot also. It is so hard on everyone.

>