Re: What started the OCD??

[Guest guest]

Our daughter had NO symptoms until onset at age 7 1/2. It was the birth

of our twins. A happy stressful event, but triggered sudden and severe

OCD for her. It was a horrible time. She's stable (almost 16), but on

meds and no where near " over it. "

Dina

[Guest guest]

My daughter has always had signs of OCD, everything to her was black and white

and things had to be a certain way. She was always a little quirky too. BUT over

this past summer she was helping out at a sailing camp and fell off the dock

(very normal thing when you sail) and she cut herself really bad on barnacles

and had to go to the ER, she said the OCD got out of control after this

happened.

 

My daughter has other medical conditions so being at the hospital was no big

deal for her its like being home. I am only going by what she said but it did

get really bad over the summer. She was 11 last summer.

 

Subject: Re: What started the OCD??

To:

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:20 PM

 

Our daughter had NO symptoms until onset at age 7 1/2. It was the birth

of our twins. A happy stressful event, but triggered sudden and severe

OCD for her. It was a horrible time. She's stable (almost 16), but on

meds and no where near " over it. "

Dina

[Guest guest]

I have heard that too--OCD is like a scratch and sniff book: something

scratches it and it really starts to smell! My youngest daughter had OCD

episodes when she was eighteen months old, following medical testing for a high

fever and at seven after breaking her wrist. Both episodes were pretty bad and

the one at seven got her diagnosed. My oldest daughter had her first major

episode following an emergency appendectomy. Interestingly, my youngest had

problems with her sister's appendectomy too. The episodes did not reach their

peaks immediately following the events. We saw changes that took place over a

period of about a month that ended in full-blown OCD episodes. Kelley in NV

[Guest guest]

I believe that my daughter (13 yrs) was born with OCD. In our family, there is

a strong link to ocd, depression, adhd, bipolar, etc. You name it, someone has

it. My sister has severe ocd and my husband has very strong ocd tendencies,

although undiagnosed, so I am sure my daughter inherited it. There were lots of

clothing and " just right " issues through toddlerhood and

pre-school/kindergarten. Also, blinking tics and others started about 4 years

old. We thought all of these were " quirks " until a full on OCD/tic nightmare

which began the first week of first grade. I believe the stress and routine

disruption of going into a large school for first grade (coming from small,

sweet church pre-school/5K) brought out the ocd. It was too much for her and

she responded by ticcing and having lots of things she " had " to do a certain

way...just right.

While my daughter is mostly happy and well adjusted now, she still has occasions

where things bother her, is prone to depression, and has more anxiety and anger

than most. She has been on zoloft and tenex since she was six, but only did

therapy regularly for about a year, although she has gone back occasionally as

needed.

So, that's our story. Hopefully, it continues to improve.

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

[Guest guest]

A year and a half ago we noticed our 11 year old " having " to close (or at least

touch) the kitchen cabinet doors every time he walked in the kitchen and he

could not tolerate a fork being in his vision, like at his place at the table.  

We thought that was weird and OCD like but were not too stressed about it.   A

year ago on Dec 26 he had a grand mal seizure.  He had had 2 of those in the 4

years previous so this was the 3rd in about 4 1/2 years.  No cause for the

seizures has ever been found.   But.......... this time w/in a few weeks Paxton

could not write at school or home, he really did not want to leave the house, he

could not get to sleep etc.    So it appears to us and the therapist that it was

there for a long time but the seizure precipitated OCD becoming life changing.  

The Neurologist says there is no connection.  

......................................Larkellen

Estate and Garage Sales Facebook Page

www.estateandgaragesales.biz

Subject: What started the OCD??

To:

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6:09 PM

All in the group....

I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to 

the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

said  would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

circumstances,  etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter - 

diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

speak of  (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

about 2  years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what seems

like  forever.

I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances 

(illness, emotional trauma).  I am just curious - if anyone else is, please 

chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts), 

describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in 

your child.

Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is 

basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

to  bring it to the surface.  Has anyone else heard this?

LT

[Guest guest]

What I read is that obsessive behaviors are due in part to

a serotonin issue. They find people with all kids of obsessive

issues (autism, drinking, shopping, OCD, hair pulling, body image) have a

serotonin issue and widely respond to SSRI medications.

My daughter was born with obsessive interests (hence the diagnosis

of Asperger Syndrome).

In others in the family I see a major stress as a trigger. Going

to college as one example. Another had a major panic attack in

college and from there stress increased.

Pam

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

For us: I think going to school triggered it. This should be such a normal

event in the life of a child. My oldest (now 14) had some hyperactivity and

probably some perfection issues, easily frustrated, had trouble with sock seams,

tags, etc. So there were some signs that something wasn't quite right. My

youngest (now 6) started getting more worried about things in kindergarten (last

year). Then right after school started this year is when I noticed her full

blown OCD. So, apparently what is stressful enough to " trigger " OCD varies

quite a bit. We checked into PANDAS. Not conclusive enough to go that route.

The PANDAS doc. did tell me that it's passed down from the mother. GREAT!

Another thing for me to feel guilty about and another thing for my inlaws to

blame me for!

Becky

[Guest guest]

For us, it was " Gut & Psychology Syndrome " or " leaky gut " which was caused by

food intolerances (gluten, casein, soy). My daughter's severe, debilitating OCD

was almost completely cured after discovering this, removing the foods, and

allowing her gut to heal.

She also has Asperger's, ADHD, SPD, and dyslexia. All of my children were

similarly affected and all of them had similar recoveries.

Misty

________________________________

To:

Sent: Tue, January 11, 2011 6:09:45 PM

Subject: What started the OCD??

All in the group....

I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what seems

like forever.

I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

(illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

your child.

Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

LT

[Guest guest]

As for my little one, Caleb,he was 5.It was very easy to see the triggering

factor.It also centered around a traumatic medical event.

My sisters' husband had a brain aneurysm/stroke.I went to SC to stay

with her 3 young girls while she was in the hospital with him in ICU

around the clock. Although Caleb did not ever lay eyes on this gentleman,there

was CONSTANT talk of course of his condition,what

had happened,etc.

By the time we arrived back home in NC,within literally weeks,he

began the handwashing,germs,etc... Now that has changed quite a few

times since then-but that is how it began.That definitely seems to be a common

trigger,doesn't it?

Milissa in NC

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We had overnight severe onset while on holidays, so no stress or particular

triggers. However, our son says he was having thoughts for several weeks prior,

remembers being at our family cottage and his mind starting to think weird

things. So perhaps being in a place other than home might have been a bit of a

trigger, although he had started it at home too.

As others have said, the OCD was actually present from a young age, it was not

obvious though, and showed up as quirky behavior and lots of intense fears,

separation anxiety, and had GAD diagnosed at 9 when sleep became a problem.

Anxiety, fears, quirks present from birth.

In terms of recovery timeline and progression, this is really dependent on

severity, and response to medication(if needed), as well as ability to do ERP

therapy (whether formally or not). I hold a parent support group locally and

know over 100 families personally now, and see how very individual the

progression and recovery is, while there is much overlap too.

The biggest factor I see is response to treatment, and more specifically ability

to participate in ERP (never mind accessing expertise...). The majority that

attend our meetings have teens or older. Once the teen years are passed this

can be a point of stability and maturity that can allow movement forward.

Barb

Canada

Son, 19, OCD, LD plus

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,all!

Don't know if anyone remembers me, I've been a member for about 2 years but fell

away due to life, OCD, and busy stuff. , my DD, 16 1/2, " got " OCD when

she was 14. Hers started due to a class at school, a " friend " that told her

some scary stuff at her birthday sleepover, and stress over starting 8th grade.

Looking back, we recognize times when there were OCD episodes but they'd always

go away so we didn't pursue them as we just thought she was " quirky " .

The last two years I've spent trying to find decent affordable therapy for her.

Everyone I found was at least 1 1/2 hrs away or more, not covered by insurance,

or just no good. We even tried hypnotherapy, but when I had to cancel an

appointment, the woman didn't want to see us again. I practically begged her to

take us back, but then when I told her we couldn't come more than once a month

($180/session!), she cut us loose; she was so mean to us it was unbelievable!

We did find one place we can go for not too much, but it's so popular getting

appointments when we needed them was impossible. So we just deal with what

comes up day to day.

She's in 10th grade now and doing well with her grades. She's still on Lexapro,

the lowest dose. Her biggest fear has fixated on Comet cleanser for a long time

now. We tried our own ERP at home, but finally we just got rid of it out of the

house. HOWEVER, I told her I wouldn't remove it, she had to. It sat on our

counter in a plastic bag for a long time, then disappeared. Recently, she

became afraid of her shower curtain because she thought I'd used the Comet on it

long ago. I made her take it down and put it out in our shed.

One thing I've learned over the years is I never allow her to drag us into it

anymore. Whatever she has issues with, I'll talk to her about it, but

ultimately she knows she has to handle it, I won't and can't. It has to be her

decision. Very recently, she noticed the cleaning carts at school have Comet on

them; she became very stressed. I alerted the school, but also told Jess I

couldn't make the school change their cleaning supplies; I can only do so much.

The school updated her 504 and offered to let her leave class a little early to

help but she politely refused as she knows it would make her stand out even

more. Plus walking by the cart every day is involuntary ERP!

Socially, she still struggles and doesn't have any friends (a lot of the girls

she knows swear, are snotty, and think of nothing but boys, and she has no

patience with any of that). HOWEVER, one big positive is that in 9th grade she

made the decision to try out for the cheerleading team. We were floored! She

endured much negative opinion from the kids at school and some adults but

perservered and made it! Fast forward to now, it's been a lot harder than she

thought but she's kept going and seems more comfortable now in front of the

crowds. She's not the best cheerleader but I'm so proud of her! She wanted to

quit after a couple of embarrassing moments but I wouldn't let her. I want her

to at least finish this one thing.

I hope someday she will take control of it and decide to go to and work with

therapy to truly overcome it. I'm trying to step back and let her handle things

more herself now instead of trying to control every aspect of her life. She has

a plan for her life which includes college and a master's degree; I think having

a plan for her future helps immensely. I've realized I can't force her to want

to get better; she has to decide it for herself. So we just take life one day

at a time or sometimes one episode at a time!

Debbie

>

> Our daughter had NO symptoms until onset at age 7 1/2. It was the birth

> of our twins. A happy stressful event, but triggered sudden and severe

> OCD for her. It was a horrible time. She's stable (almost 16), but on

> meds and no where near " over it. "

>

> Dina

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My 12-year-old son seemed to develop OCD almost overnight, and we first noticed

it when he began erasing holes in his homework papers. I think it was brought

on by stress from the pressure surrounding the standardized testing at school,

and his teacher's sudden departure due to illness. In retrospect, he did always

have small signs, like excessive handwashing, since he was little. After almost

two years he is doing much better, thanks to meds and therapy, as well as the

prayers and support from understanding family and friends, but I will never

forget the absolute hell he went through the first year.

Regards,

Marcelle

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Interesting question and interesting answers. My daughter's onset was possibly

triggered when she broke both arms one summer.

[Guest guest]

Wow.... that's kind of different. I don't think I've heard anything like

that before on this board. Thanks for your response. I don't know what

all these responses will point to. Maybe nothing. I just thought it was an

interesting aspect to look at. It seems the majority of kids either has

some sort of medical issue or some sort of emotional trauma. Then the

handful that the origin is not apparent.

LT

In a message dated 1/13/2011 8:39:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

jchabot@... writes:

We were at an aquarium and he began panicking and crying that the fish

were in his mouth

[Guest guest]

Hi LT,

My dd, now 14, was diagnosed at age 5. She has had symptoms for as long as I can

remember. I think what made the doctors diagnose her was the fact that she

couldn't have any " cracks " in her bed when she made it and if I went in to

clean her room, she would scream if just one toy was out of place.

My son (age 9)was completely different. He never showed any signs . He had a

very severe abrupt onset at age 4.11 years old. We were at an aquarium and he

began panicking and crying that the fish were in his mouth and it just got worse

and worse from there.

Judy

Subject: What started the OCD??

To:

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:09 PM

 

All in the group....

I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what seems

like forever.

I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

(illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

your child.

Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

LT

[Guest guest]

We had to euthanize out 13yo dog. There were signs before then, but we didn't

recognize it as OCD. Within a few months of the dog dying, the OCD was full

blown.

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing. is doing great, that's so good to hear.

She may not be the " best cheerleader " but she made it so she's still much better

than others who tried out, she's got " something. " Takes getting used to, being

in front of crowds. And good for her, pushing herself to even be able to try

out!

Comet - amusing, only since Comet doesn't bother me. I guess she'll just have

to do some " mantra " to herself as she has to be near, walk by it, saying " it's

good ERP, it's good ERP....!! "

>

> Hello,all!

> Don't know if anyone remembers me, I've been a member for about 2 years but

fell away due to life, OCD, and busy stuff. , my DD, 16 1/2, " got " OCD

when she was 14. Hers started due to a class at school, a " friend " that told

her some scary stuff at her birthday sleepover, and stress over starting 8th

grade. Looking back, we

[Guest guest]

, I have also found the responses interesting. I want to collect as

many as I can, then go back and re-read them all and do some comparing.

LT

In a message dated 1/15/2011 2:26:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

ginagmom23@... writes:

This has been fascinating to read. I keep thinking to deaths in the

family and with pets as I look back with my 8 year old daughter. She had a

sudden onset last year early spring. My husband started a new job 3 days a

week with a long commute. My grandfather died, then my grandmother 6 weeks

later and then my 49 year old uncle who had been comatose for a year.

Looking back, she had been over hand washing for a few years. My mother

in law died when she was 4 and then our two cats died the next year. She

had been having unusual fears at least 6 months or more from her " onset " and

also had just learned to swim.

I can look back and see issues with her since a baby. But there has been

a personality change or what seams like one from a more extroverted child

who liked going places to one who wants to stay home and only get together

with a few friends. She used to be more carefree.

Her older brother is the one witj the more obvious obsessive compulsive

personality type...keeps things orderly. Has an interest that he becomes

engrossed in. But he does not have OCD. He does have anxieties but mostly

involving his sister and her OCD.

I have a 2 year old as well. I wonder about it all. Especially when the 2

year old imitates his sister saying " its dirty " or imitating her behavior.

I like what someone said about making the siblings stronger growing up

with this. Its just hard to imagine having more than one child with OCD. My

heart goes out to those of you who do.

in NC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

What started the OCD??

All in the group....

I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark

within

about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

like forever.

I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

(illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is,

please

chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged

in

your child.

Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event

-

to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

LT

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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[Guest guest]

BJ

I could easily see a young child not understand that their thoughts are not

what everyone else thinks. There seem to be many OCD cases that involve

'weird thoughts'.... who knows - like you said - hard to say when it actually

started for some kids because they just never question it. Good point.

LT

In a message dated 1/15/2011 3:24:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

svdbyhislove@... writes:

Good question, LT.

I've heard/read that too. . .traumatic event can set it off.

With our son, it was evident from a very young age. He didn't want things

touched in his room. Didn't like things out of place. Would wake up in

the middle of the night and put his stuffed animals back in order while also

straightening out his blankets, before he could lie down and go back to

sleep. Needed different forks for each food on his plate. Many small things

were evident. We just didn't know what we were looking at. Also he has a

strong genetic predisposition.

He also had a lot of obsessions with items that he was afraid of, which

has often made me wonder about AS too.

When he was 4, I took Imitrex for a migraine, and had a severe reaction

that put me in critical care. I damaged my heart and had a mild stroke. It

turned out lives upside down, and caused him a HUGE amount of stress. We

definitely saw an up tick in anxiety and OCD at that point.

But, it was when he was 7, and got really sick with a flu bug, with a

really high fever that it really escalated.

I suspect it's never really just one thing though. Our son told me he had

thoughts in his mind for years, and never said anything.

When I asked him why, he said he thought everyone had thoughts like that.

He didn't realize that wasn't normal.

So, I can't help but wonder if because, in some ways, OCD can be easy to

hide, it can be hard to know exactly when things started, for some.

Especially if they don't know to recognize it as different.

BJ

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks

to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter

-

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark

within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for

what seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is,

please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD

emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person

is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or

event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

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[Guest guest]

This has been fascinating to read. I keep thinking to deaths in the family and

with pets as I look back with my 8 year old daughter. She had a sudden onset

last year early spring. My husband started a new job 3 days a week with a long

commute. My grandfather died, then my grandmother 6 weeks later and then my 49

year old uncle who had been comatose for a year.

Looking back, she had been over hand washing for a few years. My mother in law

died when she was 4 and then our two cats died the next year. She had been

having unusual fears at least 6 months or more from her " onset " and also had

just learned to swim.

I can look back and see issues with her since a baby. But there has been a

personality change or what seams like one from a more extroverted child who

liked going places to one who wants to stay home and only get together with a

few friends. She used to be more carefree.

Her older brother is the one witj the more obvious obsessive compulsive

personality type...keeps things orderly. Has an interest that he becomes

engrossed in. But he does not have OCD. He does have anxieties but mostly

involving his sister and her OCD.

I have a 2 year old as well. I wonder about it all. Especially when the 2 year

old imitates his sister saying " its dirty " or imitating her behavior. I like

what someone said about making the siblings stronger growing up with this. Its

just hard to imagine having more than one child with OCD. My heart goes out to

those of you who do.

in NC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

What started the OCD??

All in the group....

I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what seems

like forever.

I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

(illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

your child.

Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

LT

[Guest guest]

Good question, LT.

I've heard/read that too. . .traumatic event can set it off.

With our son, it was evident from a very young age. He didn't want things

touched in his room. Didn't like things out of place. Would wake up in the

middle of the night and put his stuffed animals back in order while also

straightening out his blankets, before he could lie down and go back to sleep.

Needed different forks for each food on his plate. Many small things were

evident. We just didn't know what we were looking at. Also he has a strong

genetic predisposition.

He also had a lot of obsessions with items that he was afraid of, which has

often made me wonder about AS too.

When he was 4, I took Imitrex for a migraine, and had a severe reaction that put

me in critical care. I damaged my heart and had a mild stroke. It turned out

lives upside down, and caused him a HUGE amount of stress. We definitely saw an

up tick in anxiety and OCD at that point.

But, it was when he was 7, and got really sick with a flu bug, with a really

high fever that it really escalated.

I suspect it's never really just one thing though. Our son told me he had

thoughts in his mind for years, and never said anything.

When I asked him why, he said he thought everyone had thoughts like that. He

didn't realize that wasn't normal.

So, I can't help but wonder if because, in some ways, OCD can be easy to hide,

it can be hard to know exactly when things started, for some. Especially if

they don't know to recognize it as different.

BJ

>

> All in the group....

>

> I can't help but wonder, as I read the posts from different 'new' folks to

> the group, when did you first notice the OCD issues... or I guess better

> said would be, once you realized it was OCD, what situation, instance,

> circumstances, etc., can you trace the true beginning back to?

>

> It's puzzling that some kids are able to overcome OCD (like my daughter -

> diagnosed at 13yrs, on meds for less than a year.. really no therapy to

> speak of (just a few sessions)... weaned off meds & happy as a lark within

> about 2 years of diagnosis)... then there are those who struggle for what

seems

> like forever.

>

> I know OCD can surface in different ways & by different circumstances

> (illness, emotional trauma). I am just curious - if anyone else is, please

> chime in -- in as few words as possible (so as not to muddle the facts),

> describe the major events/circumstances that transpired as the OCD emerged in

> your child.

>

> Thinking back to our first therapy sessions - I was told that a person is

> basically born with OCD, but it takes something - some situation or event -

> to bring it to the surface. Has anyone else heard this?

> LT

>

>

>