Guest guest Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 Congratulations, Heidi--I am SO happy for you and your daughter. A diagnosis means so much. It will only get better from here! > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different techniques for managing it. I hope it is ERP therapy like all of you guys have talked about so much. If it weren't for this group I wouldn't even know what that is! He was rushed today and spent the entire appointment one-on-one with her, so I didn't get to talk much to him this time. I still have some other concerns such as her rocking and head thumping, which incidently, I noticed her doing in the car on the way to the appointment while we were all singing and having a good time. Still confused on a few things, but as my husband said, we at least have the OCD box checked and can move forward from there. Now the work begins, not that what we have already been through hasn't been a lot of work. I am just so relieved to know that we are not crazy. There were times I thought maybe she's fine and we are nuts. Especially when she has a long period of time where there doesn't seem to be a problem. Don't get me wrong. I am NOT happy she has this, and if I could take it from her, I would in a second. However, I am happy that we have an answer and can begin to make accomodations and be more understanding. I'm sure you all know what I mean! > > Thanks for letting me share! Now on to reading what everyone else has been up to this past week. > > Heidi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 Well YAY! So - you're now on the right road and know there's progress ahead! It may seem the opposite some days (once she starts therapy, that can raise anxiety too) but hang in there! Has she always done the rocking and head thumping? > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 Yes. It is the most alarming thing too, probably because no one seems to have any information on why she does it! She started rocking up against the bars of her crib when she was about one year old and rocked so much and so hard that by her second birthday the crib was literally falling into pieces. When she got a toddler bed at age 2 she refused to go to sleep on it. She would get down on the floor and bang her head, face first into the floor until falling asleep. She refused a pillow and any " discipline " to make her stop made it worse. She bloodied her nose and bruised her forehead on many occassions. She would also rock on the couch while watching a video, in her carseat, in her stroller...just about everywhere. As she has gotten older it has gotten a lot less but it is still there. It always has to be up against something to. I know I've seen a lot of autistic children rock, but they usually seem to do it in " mid-air " so to speak. She has to be up against something. When I ask her why she does it, she says she doesn't know. I am so confused on this one! Heidi -WA Re: Official diagnosis Well YAY! So - you're now on the right road and know there's progress ahead! It may seem the opposite some days (once she starts therapy, that can raise anxiety too) but hang in there! Has she always done the rocking and head thumping? > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 It sounds to me that it's a sensory thing. I know several kids (some on the autism spectrum, some not) who rock. It's a way of self-soothing and re-regulating. For those kids, they need a way of calming down from all of the overwhelming stimuli of the environment, and rocking is how they calm themselves down. It's not a bad thing, at all, unless it's interfering with her daily life and/or causing her harm. Rather than fighting it, try to give her opportunities to rock--maybe a rocking chair, swings in the park, etc. She might honestly not know why she does it, just knows that she needs to and wants to. With my experience, the best thing to do is let the kids rock, and help them out with it as best you can. Let me know what you think! > > > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Hi Heidi, You might want to read about sensory processing disorder. Some children are oversensitive to outside stimuli and avoid stimulation and some are undersensitive. Sometimes someone who is undersensitive will need to bang into things to get the sensory input that they need. I am not really knowledgeable about this, but it just came to mind when I read your post. " The Out of Sync Child " is a good book about this. There is specific therapy for sensory processing disorder. I am a big believer in classical homeopathy and I think that could also be very helpful for this. If you want more info on that, just contact me. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 I'll second that it sounds sensory, a self-soothing thing. I know for some headbangers, it's not always a relaxing thing (it can be) but it is sensory; and some have bought helmets for their kids who do it often and too hard. is on the autism spectrum but he never rocked as many others do or any headbanging. Though he did bang his head some after OCD began and he'd get frustrated. > > It sounds to me that it's a sensory thing. I know several kids (some on the autism spectrum, some not) who rock. It's a way of self-soothing and re-regulating. For those kids, they need a way of calming down from all of the overwhelming stimuli of the environment, and rocking is how they calm themselves down. It's not a bad thing, at all, unless it's interfering with her daily life and/or causing her harm. Rather than fighting it, try to give her opportunities to rock--maybe a rocking chair, swings in the park, etc. She might honestly not know why she does it, just knows that she needs to and wants to. With my experience, the best thing to do is let the kids rock, and help them out with it as best you can. > > Let me know what you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 After reading the comments on the head banging and rocking, I just wanted to add that as we work with our Homeopathic Dr., one of the symptoms he would focus in on was whether or not there was any of these specific types of behavior. My dd reacted differently, but interesting that the homeopaths will look at some of those " unique " symptoms in deciding on their treatment plan. > > > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Thank you so much for this valuable input. At least now I have some kind of a name to label what we think might be going on. We have weekly appointments set up with the psychologist and I am going to try and ask about a sensory issue. I'm thinking I would much rather it be that than Aspergers! Thanks again! Heidi Re: Official diagnosis It sounds to me that it's a sensory thing. I know several kids (some on the autism spectrum, some not) who rock. It's a way of self-soothing and re-regulating. For those kids, they need a way of calming down from all of the overwhelming stimuli of the environment, and rocking is how they calm themselves down. It's not a bad thing, at all, unless it's interfering with her daily life and/or causing her harm. Rather than fighting it, try to give her opportunities to rock--maybe a rocking chair, swings in the park, etc. She might honestly not know why she does it, just knows that she needs to and wants to. With my experience, the best thing to do is let the kids rock, and help them out with it as best you can. Let me know what you think! > > > > Yay! FINALLY, after 8 years, someone told us that there IS something going on with our daughter, and that means we are not crazy! > > > > Hello everyone! I haven't been on in about a week and I have some 200 emails to get through, but first I wanted to share our most recent development. > > > > Our daughter had her first appointment with her " worry doctor " (her words)today and he officially diagnosed her with OCD. We are now set up with weekly appointments for the next 6 weeks to learn different > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Thank you! See no one ever even told us it might be a sensory issue. Her old doctor just said she'll outgrow it, and everyone else just said nothing. Very frustrating when you are watching your baby injure herself! We have weekly appointments set up with her psychologist and I am looking forward to bringing this to his attention. Thanks again! Heidi - WA Re: Official diagnosis Hi Heidi, You might want to read about sensory processing disorder. Some children are oversensitive to outside stimuli and avoid stimulation and some are undersensitive. Sometimes someone who is undersensitive will need to bang into things to get the sensory input that they need. I am not really knowledgeable about this, but it just came to mind when I read your post. " The Out of Sync Child " is a good book about this. There is specific therapy for sensory processing disorder. I am a big believer in classical homeopathy and I think that could also be very helpful for this. If you want more info on that, just contact me. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 I am getting this feedback form a few of you and can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Why was it impossible to get professionals to tell us this? So frustrating! Thank you so much. We will bring this up with her psychologist! Heidi -WA Re: Official diagnosis I'll second that it sounds sensory, a self-soothing thing. I know for some headbangers, it's not always a relaxing thing (it can be) but it is sensory; and some have bought helmets for their kids who do it often and too hard. is on the autism spectrum but he never rocked as many others do or any headbanging. Though he did bang his head some after OCD began and he'd get frustrated. > > It sounds to me that it's a sensory thing. I know several kids (some on the autism spectrum, some not) who rock. It's a way of self-soothing and re-regulating. For those kids, they need a way of calming down from all of the overwhelming stimuli of the environment, and rocking is how they calm themselves down. It's not a bad thing, at all, unless it's interfering with her daily life and/or causing her harm. Rather than fighting it, try to give her opportunities to rock--maybe a rocking chair, swings in the park, etc. She might honestly not know why she does it, just knows that she needs to and wants to. With my experience, the best thing to do is let the kids rock, and help them out with it as best you can. > > Let me know what you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Heidi, probably was mentioned, but occupational therapy (OT) can help with sensory issues. An occupational therapist who is trained to help with sensory issues could help improve in these areas. Here's some info I quickly googled, looks like it explains it pretty well: http://www.brighttots.com/sensory_integration My son was in 6th grade before he got OT. It helped a lot. We went to OT for his writing issues, but they worked on the " whole body " and it helped. Let us know what the psychologist says. Some professionals don't really believe in sensory integration disorder, at least way back when my son was getting OT they didn't. (he's 21 now) > > > I am getting this feedback form a few of you and can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Why was it impossible to get professionals to tell us this? So frustrating! Thank you so much. We will bring this up with her psychologist! > > Heidi -WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Wow. Thanks so much for the info. Now that you mention it, occupational therapy was what they were working with her on in school, due to her IEP. No one ever drew a clear line and said to me that it was due to her rocking and head banging though. They focused on the other little things she was doing, and it never made anything better. Her behavior never seemed to get better from it and we never had any breakthroughs or anything happen that made the behavior make sense. Thanks for the heads up about the psychologist too. Knowing some of them don't believe the sensory thing will make me be able to judge his reaction and answers better. I love being guarded with information like that when I walk into something. Huge help! Thank you! Heidi Re: Official diagnosis Heidi, probably was mentioned, but occupational therapy (OT) can help with sensory issues. An occupational therapist who is trained to help with sensory issues could help improve in these areas. Here's some info I quickly googled, looks like it explains it pretty well: http://www.brighttots.com/sensory_integration My son was in 6th grade before he got OT. It helped a lot. We went to OT for his writing issues, but they worked on the " whole body " and it helped. Let us know what the psychologist says. Some professionals don't really believe in sensory integration disorder, at least way back when my son was getting OT they didn't. (he's 21 now) > > > I am getting this feedback form a few of you and can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Why was it impossible to get professionals to tell us this? So frustrating! Thank you so much. We will bring this up with her psychologist! > > Heidi -WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Happy there's been progress and treatment is starting! And even progress with behaviors already, you're right that it helps to know what you're dealing with (OCD). I think we all breathe easier once we know that and get on the path to treatment. Still a hard road, but taking steps on it! It's good you feel you're all on the same page with treatment too, not always the case when trying to get a good therapist. Keep us updated! > > Well, we met with my 10 year old son's doctors last week for his CYBOCS & QEEG test results and he scored in the moderate range for OCD (no surprise there) with some mild markers of ADHD. Thankfully they agree that we should try therapy alone for now and resort to medication only if it becomes necessary. We also met with his therapist and feel that everyone is on the same page. He has his first therapy session this week but we have already seen some improvement in both his grades and his behavior since his first visit. Knowing what we are dealing with makes a major difference and helps us to recognize his patterns so we can usually help him defuse the anxiety before it gets out of control. > > We still have a long road ahead of us, but I'm breathing much easier now that I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Wish someone had diagnosed me at such a young age...I wouldn't have wasted years on useless rituals! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Anyone have experience with buspirone? It's not an SSRI Sent from my iPhone > Happy there's been progress and treatment is starting! And even progress with behaviors already, you're right that it helps to know what you're dealing with (OCD). I think we all breathe easier once we know that and get on the path to treatment. Still a hard road, but taking steps on it! It's good you feel you're all on the same page with treatment too, not always the case when trying to get a good therapist. > > Keep us updated! > > > > > > > > Well, we met with my 10 year old son's doctors last week for his CYBOCS & QEEG test results and he scored in the moderate range for OCD (no surprise there) with some mild markers of ADHD. Thankfully they agree that we should try therapy alone for now and resort to medication only if it becomes necessary. We also met with his therapist and feel that everyone is on the same page. He has his first therapy session this week but we have already seen some improvement in both his grades and his behavior since his first visit. Knowing what we are dealing with makes a major difference and helps us to recognize his patterns so we can usually help him defuse the anxiety before it gets out of control. > > > > We still have a long road ahead of us, but I'm breathing much easier now that I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Wish someone had diagnosed me at such a young age...I wouldn't have wasted years on useless rituals! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 My 17 yr. old son started that in Dec.His OCD rituals and thoughts were through the roof and we needed to change his meds. We were increasing the Prozac and got to 50 mg. Instead of maxing out at 60 and then having to try another med., the pdoc added Buspirone to the mix. 10 mg. tablets, 2xs/day. It helped with the OCD and didn't make him as tired as when we used Lorazapam (2 yrs. ago for the panic/high anxiety). Only have experience of it as an add on. My sister-in-law also takes it as an add on for her anxiety,colitis, BP management. > > > > > > Well, we met with my 10 year old son's doctors last week for his CYBOCS & QEEG test results and he scored in the moderate range for OCD (no surprise there) with some mild markers of ADHD. Thankfully they agree that we should try therapy alone for now and resort to medication only if it becomes necessary. We also met with his therapist and feel that everyone is on the same page. He has his first therapy session this week but we have already seen some improvement in both his grades and his behavior since his first visit. Knowing what we are dealing with makes a major difference and helps us to recognize his patterns so we can usually help him defuse the anxiety before it gets out of control. > > > > > > We still have a long road ahead of us, but I'm breathing much easier now that I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Wish someone had diagnosed me at such a young age...I wouldn't have wasted years on useless rituals! > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hi there, Can you please tell me what these 2 tests are that you mentioned? I haven't heard of any official testing for OCD. My son is in a very bad state right now. Truth is, we think it's much more that OCD but have no idea what we are looking at. He has become viscous and just horrible to live with. I am at wits end. I think maybe bipolar. Any thoughts? Also, does anyone know any family therapists on Long Island? My family is in a uproar. Thank you, Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Two good places to go in LI that specialize in OCD and could help you to know if that is what the problem is are: http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com http://www.wsps.info/index.php?option=com_content & view=article & id=25 & Itemid=28 Re: Official diagnosis Hi there, Can you please tell me what these 2 tests are that you mentioned? I haven't heard of any official testing for OCD. My son is in a very bad state right now. Truth is, we think it's much more that OCD but have no idea what we are looking at. He has become viscous and just horrible to live with. I am at wits end. I think maybe bipolar. Any thoughts? Also, does anyone know any family therapists on Long Island? My family is in a uproar. Thank you, Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Two good places to go in LI that specialize in OCD and could help you to know if that is what the problem is are: http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com http://www.wsps.info/index.php?option=com_content & view=article & id=25 & Itemid=28 Re: Official diagnosis Hi there, Can you please tell me what these 2 tests are that you mentioned? I haven't heard of any official testing for OCD. My son is in a very bad state right now. Truth is, we think it's much more that OCD but have no idea what we are looking at. He has become viscous and just horrible to live with. I am at wits end. I think maybe bipolar. Any thoughts? Also, does anyone know any family therapists on Long Island? My family is in a uproar. Thank you, Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.