Re: Girls, periods and ocd

[Guest guest]

Yes, my 17 year old has severe headahes around her period. Last year

we started keeping track because it would seem like she would slide

backwards during this time. When I started putting it together, the

headache would trigger the fear that something else was wrong with her

which would heighten the whole death thoughts. When I started to keep

track of it I noticed the pattern. Pointing it out to her has helped

tremendously. As soon as she starts complaining of headaches I ask if

it is around that time. It seems to lessen the anxiety and belief that

there is something else wrong. She would work herself up so much that

she could only lie down and close her eyes.

Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Yes, we are going through the same thing.

My 11yo (almost 12) dd started her period last spring (before ocd

kicked in), but it was light and few/far between - not regular at all

yet. I thought that was hard enough. Just the normal " girl " stuff.

Summer swim parties were hard.

Then OCD kicked in. We noticed more anxiety with the hormonal

changes which worsened the OCD. Her Dr. & Therapist both said that

hormonal changes or being sick (colds, flus etc.) can make OCD worse

for a time.

Then she went on Lexapro. Yikes. One possible side effect of SSRIs

can be bleeding problems. And just this weekend she started her

period and was bleeding buckets, freaking out, I was wiping up more

blood than I've ever seen, her anxiety was off the charts because of

it which worsened her OCD. Now with her period winding down, she is

much better and acting herself again.

We are taking her to her female Pediatrician to have a full physical

to make sure she doesn't become anemic and to just discuss it all.

My dd and are very close and about age 10 I started reading little

books to her on body changes etc. and we discussed her upcoming

period. So she wasn't shocked when it started, but she didn't have

OCD yet. It was in the months after that we think her OCD kicked in

partly due to this onset of puberty.

I just keep a very open line of communication with her. I tell her

how I feel, my crankiness, cramps etc. when I'm on my period. And

tell her that it is okay and normal to feel that way.

Unfortunately, when you throw OCD into the mix it can make it all

more extreme.

HTH,

Staci

>

> Hi there

>

> So my little missy started her first period today. I'm hoping this

explains the horrible attitude she has had the last week!  Geez

Louise!

>

> Any of you moms with daughters have any experience with OCD and

periods? I'm wondering if anyone has seen a difference in symptoms

while they are on their period?

> ~~Kathy

>  Courage is not living without fear.

> Courage is being scared to death and doing the right thing anyway.

> -Chae

>

>

>