Re: OCD parenting list - OCD and girls in puberty

January 25, 2000

Hi Patti R. !

I have to respond to this one! I am a youth and family counselor and the

mom of two teens and one preteen ocd'ers!

My suggestions to you may sound too simple, but worth a try, ok? First of

all, why not ask: Is this an ocd thing? or laugh and say, its ok to be like

this, I was too! Why is it that you change so much?? Maybe the clothes just

arent fitting her, or are too different/same as her friends - ask!!

Adi, my 14 (almost)yo can change her clothes several times a day because

they dont fit right - but when your a size 1 (yes it does exsist) and the

selection is limited, sometimes the clothes really dont look right!! She is

tall, so baggy pants look funny when the waste is drawn in tight, slim pants

are hard to find in her length, and sweaters that actually cover her wrists

and go to her hip are rare - unless they are twice are wide as her body!!

At first when she used to change her clothes a few times a day, I was

concerned, but I asked if she could wear the other clothes on another day -

she said yes, just not today (and she did) - so that's not ocd!! Adi has

contamination issues, btw. so this was very important. As part of her ERP

she has her friends lend her clothing and her goal is to keep them on -

which she can do now - and loves the idea of sharing things!! Adi was on

meds, but through ERP has been off meds for months - and doing very well.

(Her ocd'er father is overwhelmed by this concept and gets very anxious just

hearing about wearing someone elses clothes!)

Today she is lying in my bed, blanket pulled over her head, and trying to

sleep - she is too weepy to go to school she says. I will give her a chance

to cuddle there, then go in and ask her what's really going on - social,

physical,or mental is how I ask!!! Having an open line of communication is

ver

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