Great news!

[Guest guest]

Knowing how many of our kids are suffering terribly I feel kind of bad

posting this but maybe it can be an encouragement for some.

My daughter (8 years old) was recently diagnosed OCD, but it is quite

mild. She was having an awful time of it -- causing her great anxiety and

resulting in falling grades, OCD behaviors and regular after-school

sob-fests. It has been a really rough couple of months.

When the psychologist suggested OCD we didn't want to tell her because he

wasn't absolutely sure . . . it just looked like it from the outset.

After he confirmed the diagnosis (just two weeks ago) we started

implementing some strategies he suggested and miracles have begun to

happen!

I honestly think the diagnosis was a huge relief to her (and us). We got

her an excellent workbook called " What to do When Your Brain Gets Stuck. "

We read this during the 'pending dx' period and said, " We don't know if

this is what you have but it might be. " Well, Kate is huge reader and

this book really speaks her language and she started implementing

strategies. The psychologist liked the book (and the results in my

daughter) so much that he suggested we just leave that book lying around

her bedroom or wherever she was likely to pick it up on a regular basis.

So, the good news! We met with the psychologist for the first of three

weekly sessions yesterday (then we were to drop to every other week and

eventually to once-a-month). He was frankly amazed at the progress Kate

has made all on her own! She seems to have gotten the message from the

book -- when she gets one of those " scarey thougths " stuck in her brain

she imagines it is the " OCD Bully " and she has begun to tell it to " buzz

off and don't bother me! " When the bully tells her to wash her hands she

says, " No, Bully! I don't have to. I'm busy! " I'm shocked!

Anyway, making a long story not quite as long, the psych cancelled the

next two appointments and said she is already doing what he was going to

encourage her to do. He wants us (my dh and I) to give her " challanges "

and have her try things she is uncomfortable with. She gave a promise

that she will try to do the hard things and I really think she will make

an effort. She is so proud of herself (and so are we) and she hasn't had

an after-school meltdown in over a week. Just an amazing transformation.

She just needed to gain the confidence and discernment to recognize OCD

thoughts and then have the courage to not obey the strong urges.

So, we go back in a month instead of next week! Hooray for Kate! I know

we were lucky to have caught her OCD so early but I hope for peace for all

of your children as well. It is so hard to stand by and be helpless as

your child gets pulled in by this condition!

Beth