Re: New here - Jacquie

[Guest guest]

, loved what you wrote, so true!

>

> There are several " warriors " and seasoned veterans who've already

> given you great advice on how to stay calm during your initial shock

> and mourning over an OCD dx. I was terrified when it was first

> suggested to me. I'd read books and get more freaked. Bouncing

[Guest guest]

Hi, . OCD has a way or making one prioritize, huh. I know

exactly what you mean.

At 48, I found out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. lol

Our son did some changing, thanks to meds and therapy, but the whole

family changed too. It's a hard adjustment, but for the better. )

BJ

>

> There are several " warriors " and seasoned veterans who've already

> given you great advice on how to stay calm during your initial shock

> and mourning over an OCD dx. I was terrified when it was first

> suggested to me. I'd read books and get more freaked. Bouncing around

> trying to find the right people to help us felt like being trapped in

> an insane pinball game. This one wanted to give my son heavy duty

> drugs, that one didn't want to meet my son at all - just talk to my

> husband and me about our parenting. No one had answers that felt right.

>

> But as others have said, you keep searching for answers (because

> really you have no choice) until you start to find things and people

> that can help. It slowly gets better, then gets worse again, then gets

> better...just like everything in life I suppose.

>

> But a few months into this, I started to find hidden treasures in this

> journey. My son was never " normal " - always a little quirky. Before

> the dx, we'd watch him in a social setting and hold our breath, hoping

> beyond hope that our son would do " normal " things. Then there'd be

> embarrassment and disappointment when that didn't happen.

>

> Now, with a dx, we have tools and an understanding of what's

> happening. I gave up my unrealistic expectations and now try very hard

> to accept my son for who he is. Now that I understand how hard it is

> for him to face certain situations, I don't secretly get angry at him

> for not being like other kids. Don't get me wrong - I still want to

> strangle him sometimes. I still lose my temper,especially when the

> disease hijack's my entire family for weeks at a time. But now when my

> son accomplishes something, I'm not wasting energy comparing him to

> other kids. I just focus on the progress he's made as an individual.

> For the first time, I celebrate his success and his talents, without

> concern for what the neighbor's kid is or isn't doing. Keeping up with

> the Jonses isn't a worry anymore. And that is freeing.

>

> I also appreciate my entire family more. My husband and I have become

> a much stronger team. I used to be the one who took care of

> everything. My husband was " playtime daddy. " I was the disciplinarian,

> the worrier, the organizer. But this disease is too big for anyone to

> handle without help. I've learned to take help and to share my worries

> - a new trick for a 44 year old. I've stopped micromanaging and I'm

> learning to let go of ideals and just enjoy the small things that come

> with every day.

>

> Would I rather live without this disease? Of course. But there are

> still millions of people in this world with far less than me, and

> they'd trade places with me in a heartbeat. My aunt lost her daughter

> a year ago today. Would she happily trade places? You bet. I have much

> to be thankful for and living with this diease ironically helps me

> remember that.

>

> Welcome to our crazy club. Please keep us posted on how you and your

> family are doing.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > Do any of your kids seem normal? Will my son loose the few

> > friends he has? I am just so scared.

> > >

> > > Jacquie

> > >

> >

>