Re: Is this OCD or part of Autism?

[Guest guest]

nikki for me when I to be under stress or anxiety is of high in me

and or under distress I to find of self increasing in need for many

things that seem very OCD like, it is of like my body is trying to

formulate a structure to create a balance and or bring a sense of

calm or control over the other things causing me to feel overloaded.

I to not have a preset thinking to do them they just emerge strong

and can actually produce more anxiety in me if forbidden to do them.

It is like my body needs to react but since lack " HOW " to react it

gets compensated by the OCD rituals.

And Sometimes too my brain seems to get stuck in the midst of an

action and so it like a skipping record of the past time, it is as if

my body is of just stuck skipping there until it moves to a place

where it can move on.

So maybe if she is of having some increased anxiety she may be

reacting like of me in an OCD like fashions.

I to think you shared words back to her in a good fashions. It let

her know that while it is of annoying and such that even NT people

have of this issues too at times. It is of very good she was able to

verbalize a mind set for you of her. this is of a very good things to

hear. At that age never could be to have shared an insight of that

level or fashions to anyones. But did often speak oddly and tell

people things were stuck on the web of my brain. It was because once

seen of a spider web some where and seen of how things stick on the

web and seem trapped there. so it transferred to me that this must be

what is of happening to my brain because things seemed to get lost or

stuck and could not get them untangled enough within me to get out

the things people wanted of me. So my only way to share of that

concept was to say it is of stuck on the web of my brain. now no

wonder people thinked of me as being psychotic as a kid.

Sondra

[Guest guest]

nikki for me when I to be under stress or anxiety is of high in me

and or under distress I to find of self increasing in need for many

things that seem very OCD like, it is of like my body is trying to

formulate a structure to create a balance and or bring a sense of

calm or control over the other things causing me to feel overloaded.

I to not have a preset thinking to do them they just emerge strong

and can actually produce more anxiety in me if forbidden to do them.

It is like my body needs to react but since lack " HOW " to react it

gets compensated by the OCD rituals.

And Sometimes too my brain seems to get stuck in the midst of an

action and so it like a skipping record of the past time, it is as if

my body is of just stuck skipping there until it moves to a place

where it can move on.

So maybe if she is of having some increased anxiety she may be

reacting like of me in an OCD like fashions.

I to think you shared words back to her in a good fashions. It let

her know that while it is of annoying and such that even NT people

have of this issues too at times. It is of very good she was able to

verbalize a mind set for you of her. this is of a very good things to

hear. At that age never could be to have shared an insight of that

level or fashions to anyones. But did often speak oddly and tell

people things were stuck on the web of my brain. It was because once

seen of a spider web some where and seen of how things stick on the

web and seem trapped there. so it transferred to me that this must be

what is of happening to my brain because things seemed to get lost or

stuck and could not get them untangled enough within me to get out

the things people wanted of me. So my only way to share of that

concept was to say it is of stuck on the web of my brain. now no

wonder people thinked of me as being psychotic as a kid.

Sondra

[Guest guest]

My husband, son, sister, sister in law, and mother in law all suffer

from OCD. None of them have autism, but the two are often closely

related. My MIL is the only one that I know frequently has the urge to

do things like your daughter is describing. The others have different

compulsive behaviors.

Usually, the compulsions are a way of dealing with anxiety. Totally in

an irrational way, but, for example, my sister absolutely can not see

an open drink bottle, unless someone is actively taking a drink from

it. The second the bottle leaves their mouth, the top MUST go back on,

even if that means my sister physically takes the bottle from them and

does it herself. The anxiety of seeing the top off the bottle is

higher than the anxiety of looking odd socially. And the more

stressful the situation she is in (in class vs at the movies) the more

trouble she has controlling her compulsive behavior. She actually

failed a college class because of the teacher's water bottle. It was a

difficult subject for her, and she was stressed out about the class

before it even started, so the teacher leaving an open bottle on her

desk as she moved around the room was just total anxiety overload for

her. She literally could not concentrate on anything but that water

bottle, but couldn't get up, walk across the room, and put the top on,

so in the end, her anxiety lead to failing.

My husband has some minor compulsions (he's on Zoloft though) but the

majority of his he can either delay until a more appropriate time, or

ignore altogether. That is definitely thanks to his meds.

My son is only 4, and has not been officially diagnosed, but I

definitely see it in his future. Lucky for me, he is *usually* able to

be redirected. Lately it's been a LOT worse because we are moving. He

has a very difficult time with change, and we see a lot of obsessive

behavior (but not too many compulsions) due to the anxiety related to

the changes. But he'll get stuck on one subject and just keep

repeating himself over and over, no matter what our response is.

Sometimes he calms down on his own, sometimes meltdowns ensue.

Honestly, for Breanna, if doing certain things 4 times makes her feel

better and are not preventing her from doing other things, I wouldn't

worry about it too much. Compulsive behavior CAN be stress reducing.

However, if she is really worried about not being able to control it,

or if it in any way starts to impact her ability to play, stay on task

with school, social interactions, or any daily activities, then I

would bring it up with her pediatrician.

Amnesty

>

> Breanna (aged 9) told me something yesterday that suprised me. She

> said, " Mum lately I feel like I have to do some things four times. Why

> do I do that? "

> I asked her which things she meant and she said, mostly thigs that make

> a sound such as a button on an electronic toy (has to be oushed 4

> times), a sword action in her playstation game (Zelda) and the front

> doorbell.

> I tried not to panic her as she seemed concerned that she feels

> the 'urge' to do these things. I told her that everyone sometimes does

> things that feel a little strange. (I always lock the front door, then

> go back and check it) LOL I then asked her to try pushing a button one

> time or 2 times for a while and see how that feels. She said, " Ok "

> (Basically I needed a little time to think about what to say to her) LOL

> Do anyone you have any explanation for why she migt be doing this?

> Should I be concerned or just be matter of fact about it? Any

> suggestions, advice or ideas appreiated.

> Nikki

>

[Guest guest]

My husband, son, sister, sister in law, and mother in law all suffer

from OCD. None of them have autism, but the two are often closely

related. My MIL is the only one that I know frequently has the urge to

do things like your daughter is describing. The others have different

compulsive behaviors.

Usually, the compulsions are a way of dealing with anxiety. Totally in

an irrational way, but, for example, my sister absolutely can not see

an open drink bottle, unless someone is actively taking a drink from

it. The second the bottle leaves their mouth, the top MUST go back on,

even if that means my sister physically takes the bottle from them and

does it herself. The anxiety of seeing the top off the bottle is

higher than the anxiety of looking odd socially. And the more

stressful the situation she is in (in class vs at the movies) the more

trouble she has controlling her compulsive behavior. She actually

failed a college class because of the teacher's water bottle. It was a

difficult subject for her, and she was stressed out about the class

before it even started, so the teacher leaving an open bottle on her

desk as she moved around the room was just total anxiety overload for

her. She literally could not concentrate on anything but that water

bottle, but couldn't get up, walk across the room, and put the top on,

so in the end, her anxiety lead to failing.

My husband has some minor compulsions (he's on Zoloft though) but the

majority of his he can either delay until a more appropriate time, or

ignore altogether. That is definitely thanks to his meds.

My son is only 4, and has not been officially diagnosed, but I

definitely see it in his future. Lucky for me, he is *usually* able to

be redirected. Lately it's been a LOT worse because we are moving. He

has a very difficult time with change, and we see a lot of obsessive

behavior (but not too many compulsions) due to the anxiety related to

the changes. But he'll get stuck on one subject and just keep

repeating himself over and over, no matter what our response is.

Sometimes he calms down on his own, sometimes meltdowns ensue.

Honestly, for Breanna, if doing certain things 4 times makes her feel

better and are not preventing her from doing other things, I wouldn't

worry about it too much. Compulsive behavior CAN be stress reducing.

However, if she is really worried about not being able to control it,

or if it in any way starts to impact her ability to play, stay on task

with school, social interactions, or any daily activities, then I

would bring it up with her pediatrician.

Amnesty

>

> Breanna (aged 9) told me something yesterday that suprised me. She

> said, " Mum lately I feel like I have to do some things four times. Why

> do I do that? "

> I asked her which things she meant and she said, mostly thigs that make

> a sound such as a button on an electronic toy (has to be oushed 4

> times), a sword action in her playstation game (Zelda) and the front

> doorbell.

> I tried not to panic her as she seemed concerned that she feels

> the 'urge' to do these things. I told her that everyone sometimes does

> things that feel a little strange. (I always lock the front door, then

> go back and check it) LOL I then asked her to try pushing a button one

> time or 2 times for a while and see how that feels. She said, " Ok "

> (Basically I needed a little time to think about what to say to her) LOL

> Do anyone you have any explanation for why she migt be doing this?

> Should I be concerned or just be matter of fact about it? Any

> suggestions, advice or ideas appreiated.

> Nikki

>

[Guest guest]

Niki,

Compulsive behavior usually occurs as a result of anxiety. It is a good sign

that she is

aware of it and is willing to talk about it. At this time, it doesn't seem to

be interferring

with her life at all, but I would take it as a cue to look at what additional

stressors are

going on in her life. It is wise to stay supportive and to not make her feel

anxious over

being compulsive, since this will only increase the compulsive behavior. I

wouldn't turn to

medication unless it gets alot worse. However, I would encourage her

willingness to talk

to you and discuss her concerns with you.

Bill

>

> Breanna (aged 9) told me something yesterday that suprised me. She

> said, " Mum lately I feel like I have to do some things four times. Why

> do I do that? "

> I asked her which things she meant and she said, mostly thigs that make

> a sound such as a button on an electronic toy (has to be oushed 4

> times), a sword action in her playstation game (Zelda) and the front

> doorbell.

> I tried not to panic her as she seemed concerned that she feels

> the 'urge' to do these things. I told her that everyone sometimes does

> things that feel a little strange. (I always lock the front door, then

> go back and check it) LOL I then asked her to try pushing a button one

> time or 2 times for a while and see how that feels. She said, " Ok "

> (Basically I needed a little time to think about what to say to her) LOL

> Do anyone you have any explanation for why she migt be doing this?

> Should I be concerned or just be matter of fact about it? Any

> suggestions, advice or ideas appreiated.

> Nikki

>

[Guest guest]

Niki,

Compulsive behavior usually occurs as a result of anxiety. It is a good sign

that she is

aware of it and is willing to talk about it. At this time, it doesn't seem to

be interferring

with her life at all, but I would take it as a cue to look at what additional

stressors are

going on in her life. It is wise to stay supportive and to not make her feel

anxious over

being compulsive, since this will only increase the compulsive behavior. I

wouldn't turn to

medication unless it gets alot worse. However, I would encourage her

willingness to talk

to you and discuss her concerns with you.

Bill

>

> Breanna (aged 9) told me something yesterday that suprised me. She

> said, " Mum lately I feel like I have to do some things four times. Why

> do I do that? "

> I asked her which things she meant and she said, mostly thigs that make

> a sound such as a button on an electronic toy (has to be oushed 4

> times), a sword action in her playstation game (Zelda) and the front

> doorbell.

> I tried not to panic her as she seemed concerned that she feels

> the 'urge' to do these things. I told her that everyone sometimes does

> things that feel a little strange. (I always lock the front door, then

> go back and check it) LOL I then asked her to try pushing a button one

> time or 2 times for a while and see how that feels. She said, " Ok "

> (Basically I needed a little time to think about what to say to her) LOL

> Do anyone you have any explanation for why she migt be doing this?

> Should I be concerned or just be matter of fact about it? Any

> suggestions, advice or ideas appreiated.

> Nikki

>