Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I am fairly new to this site and while I am in the midst of dealing with my 10

year old son's ocd, my issue is with my son not changing his clothes. I

literally have to change his socks , brush him hair, etc while he is sleeping.

He suffers from repetitiveness and symmetry and he also has separation

anxiety.He was diagnosed with OCD back in Sept 2011. We got him into therapy

(almost 4 months, 1 hr/wk) but it was not the right fit. His OCD went thru the

roof in January and we ended up putting him on Zoloft as he was not functioning

and started having panic attacks and screaming at the least thing. He refused

to go to school etc.

 

Thank God for the medicine. It really eased his anxiety (not the OCD.) I finally

got him back to school with help from his teacher and the school to ease him

back on half days. We are now back to five hrs for whick I am SO grateful. He

suffers from avoidance issues across the board from Shampoo to Clothes

to Toothpaste, he will not read or do homework at home but will do it in school.

We have a new therapist lined up on 4/18/12. It took us that long to find an

opening with someone who specializes in treatment of OCD. So fingers crossed.

It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

 

I really want to learn and understand  OCD and believe me I have come a long

way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

 

 

 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 3:37 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

Hi, well these are just some thoughts.

First, hang in there. I had one son (not my current OCDer) who was similar at

that age and finally got past it. His shoes had to be " tight enough " , his socks

up " right " , slept in his shoes even! Changed clothes not too frequently, but

couldn't stand dirt so would change a shirt, etc. As I said, he got past that

eventually. I wasn't thinking OCD then. He's 23 now. Though he did have problems

with certain clothes at later age, and still always wears an undershirt. Some

materials just made him " shivery. " His twin is my OCDer, and his OCD began in

6th grade.

For your son, I'm wondering if earning " rewards " might help. Could be earning

stars/stickers and get XX amount and get his reward; or do just one thing and

get a smaller reward.

If you could get him to keep his shirt or other items on an extra minute or 2

minutes before changing, he can earn a sticker/reward. He can still change

clothes, but he needs to try to delay it. Then as waiting X amount of time gets

easier, add another minute. Or if he will wear some piece of clothing he doesn't

like for 2 minutes, then he can take it off; working over time to keep it on for

a longer period. You start with small things, pick 1 or 2 things to work on. And

if you've ever set your microwave for a minute of time, 60 seconds does last a

bit long, lol, doesn't sound long but it is; so even a minute of time with some

" dreaded OCD " clothing or other can be a good place to start.

If sock seams are bothering him, you can turn them inside out, that often helps

if it is the seams, wearing them inside out.

Quick thoughts, keep us updated!

>

> hi my three and ahalf little boy has recently been diagnosed with ocd,

> it is so sad to see he like this he constantly changed his clothes, ive had to

put child locks on his draws in his room as he will just keep changing and it

get frustereating for me. ill fix his socks for him but he will keep crying and

get more frusterated with himself and u cause they r not writem or his shoe

laces there never write even

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I am fairly new to this site and while I am in the midst of dealing with my 10

year old son's ocd, my issue is with my son not changing his clothes. I

literally have to change his socks , brush him hair, etc while he is sleeping.

He suffers from repetitiveness and symmetry and he also has separation

anxiety.He was diagnosed with OCD back in Sept 2011. We got him into therapy

(almost 4 months, 1 hr/wk) but it was not the right fit. His OCD went thru the

roof in January and we ended up putting him on Zoloft as he was not functioning

and started having panic attacks and screaming at the least thing. He refused

to go to school etc.

 

Thank God for the medicine. It really eased his anxiety (not the OCD.) I finally

got him back to school with help from his teacher and the school to ease him

back on half days. We are now back to five hrs for whick I am SO grateful. He

suffers from avoidance issues across the board from Shampoo to Clothes

to Toothpaste, he will not read or do homework at home but will do it in school.

We have a new therapist lined up on 4/18/12. It took us that long to find an

opening with someone who specializes in treatment of OCD. So fingers crossed.

It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

 

I really want to learn and understand  OCD and believe me I have come a long

way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

 

 

 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 3:37 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

Hi, well these are just some thoughts.

First, hang in there. I had one son (not my current OCDer) who was similar at

that age and finally got past it. His shoes had to be " tight enough " , his socks

up " right " , slept in his shoes even! Changed clothes not too frequently, but

couldn't stand dirt so would change a shirt, etc. As I said, he got past that

eventually. I wasn't thinking OCD then. He's 23 now. Though he did have problems

with certain clothes at later age, and still always wears an undershirt. Some

materials just made him " shivery. " His twin is my OCDer, and his OCD began in

6th grade.

For your son, I'm wondering if earning " rewards " might help. Could be earning

stars/stickers and get XX amount and get his reward; or do just one thing and

get a smaller reward.

If you could get him to keep his shirt or other items on an extra minute or 2

minutes before changing, he can earn a sticker/reward. He can still change

clothes, but he needs to try to delay it. Then as waiting X amount of time gets

easier, add another minute. Or if he will wear some piece of clothing he doesn't

like for 2 minutes, then he can take it off; working over time to keep it on for

a longer period. You start with small things, pick 1 or 2 things to work on. And

if you've ever set your microwave for a minute of time, 60 seconds does last a

bit long, lol, doesn't sound long but it is; so even a minute of time with some

" dreaded OCD " clothing or other can be a good place to start.

If sock seams are bothering him, you can turn them inside out, that often helps

if it is the seams, wearing them inside out.

Quick thoughts, keep us updated!

>

> hi my three and ahalf little boy has recently been diagnosed with ocd,

> it is so sad to see he like this he constantly changed his clothes, ive had to

put child locks on his draws in his room as he will just keep changing and it

get frustereating for me. ill fix his socks for him but he will keep crying and

get more frusterated with himself and u cause they r not writem or his shoe

laces there never write even

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I am fairly new to this site and while I am in the midst of dealing with my 10

year old son's ocd, my issue is with my son not changing his clothes. I

literally have to change his socks , brush him hair, etc while he is sleeping.

He suffers from repetitiveness and symmetry and he also has separation

anxiety.He was diagnosed with OCD back in Sept 2011. We got him into therapy

(almost 4 months, 1 hr/wk) but it was not the right fit. His OCD went thru the

roof in January and we ended up putting him on Zoloft as he was not functioning

and started having panic attacks and screaming at the least thing. He refused

to go to school etc.

 

Thank God for the medicine. It really eased his anxiety (not the OCD.) I finally

got him back to school with help from his teacher and the school to ease him

back on half days. We are now back to five hrs for whick I am SO grateful. He

suffers from avoidance issues across the board from Shampoo to Clothes

to Toothpaste, he will not read or do homework at home but will do it in school.

We have a new therapist lined up on 4/18/12. It took us that long to find an

opening with someone who specializes in treatment of OCD. So fingers crossed.

It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

 

I really want to learn and understand  OCD and believe me I have come a long

way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

 

 

 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 3:37 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

Hi, well these are just some thoughts.

First, hang in there. I had one son (not my current OCDer) who was similar at

that age and finally got past it. His shoes had to be " tight enough " , his socks

up " right " , slept in his shoes even! Changed clothes not too frequently, but

couldn't stand dirt so would change a shirt, etc. As I said, he got past that

eventually. I wasn't thinking OCD then. He's 23 now. Though he did have problems

with certain clothes at later age, and still always wears an undershirt. Some

materials just made him " shivery. " His twin is my OCDer, and his OCD began in

6th grade.

For your son, I'm wondering if earning " rewards " might help. Could be earning

stars/stickers and get XX amount and get his reward; or do just one thing and

get a smaller reward.

If you could get him to keep his shirt or other items on an extra minute or 2

minutes before changing, he can earn a sticker/reward. He can still change

clothes, but he needs to try to delay it. Then as waiting X amount of time gets

easier, add another minute. Or if he will wear some piece of clothing he doesn't

like for 2 minutes, then he can take it off; working over time to keep it on for

a longer period. You start with small things, pick 1 or 2 things to work on. And

if you've ever set your microwave for a minute of time, 60 seconds does last a

bit long, lol, doesn't sound long but it is; so even a minute of time with some

" dreaded OCD " clothing or other can be a good place to start.

If sock seams are bothering him, you can turn them inside out, that often helps

if it is the seams, wearing them inside out.

Quick thoughts, keep us updated!

>

> hi my three and ahalf little boy has recently been diagnosed with ocd,

> it is so sad to see he like this he constantly changed his clothes, ive had to

put child locks on his draws in his room as he will just keep changing and it

get frustereating for me. ill fix his socks for him but he will keep crying and

get more frusterated with himself and u cause they r not writem or his shoe

laces there never write even

[Guest guest]

I did the same thing when reason these posts and feeling scared. I just wish

once and awhile someone could post a positive success story. Oh well that's the

way it goes I guess:)

Sent from my iPhone

> Hi Jay, glad the Zoloft has helped your son's OCD/anxiety ease up so he's made

progress. Any progress is great! Hopefully the new therapist will be able to

speed things up since they specialize in OCD. You're right, can be difficult

finding someone, especially one who treats children. We had no one in our area.

It's good the school is working with you on all this too.

>

> Yes, being a support group here, you read what others are dealing with with

their child, same/similar/different and severity too. It's good to have a place

to come to, this group was my best support those first years with , even

though his behaviors didn't relate to any I read about here, or rarely. But the

cause/reason for it I understood, OCD. A good place for some ideas here too,

would take what I read from others and try to fit it to work on some of

's rituals/compulsions.

>

> Of course, when things are going well many find no reason to post, also many

leave the group when OCD is no longer a huge issue with their child, they're

better, etc. The best success stories are ones you will read about in the many

books on OCD, the OCD Foundation website or their affiliate websites.

>

> Are you concerned your son will pop up with new behaviors later, or just keep

on with the current ones or severity will worsen? I think that is something we

all worry about. 's present OCD is not what he started out with to the

severe degree, those early behaviors are long gone (cross fingers!), and while

I'm sure medication would help the rest, he refuses to try and at 23 I can't

make him (oh, for those childhood days when I could have, lol). But he's managed

high school and 4 years of college with it, guess he has adapted; currently it

is bad thoughts and scrupulosity type OCD, which I do believe he had to a lesser

degree when younger. In fact last night I could here him mumbling in the

kitchen, and purposefully asked him if he was talking to me; he said no, I asked

if his OCD was bothering him, he said a little. He hates to talk about it. But

all the visible behaviors he had when younger (middle school and up) are gone. I

found a little success with beating one behavior seemed to help others go easier

or they just seemed to disappear.

>

> Having had my own OCD type " quirks " has helped my understanding, I guess, and

actually see a quirk or two with my other 2 sons at times. My own has been some

counting, some germ thing related to my mom, and my own scrupulosity type

thoughts, but nothing to the degree someone with the disorder deals with 24/7,

on and on.

>

> I'm sorry the posts have caused you more worry! But as a place to share what

is going on with our children, vent, ask for ideas, update on things, etc.,

that's what we're for! And to pass on what we've learned. Basically, as far as

treatment it's: CBT with ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure &

response prevention) for everyone, meds that can help, alternative things that

parents find helped, and having them checked for PANDAS/PANS. You're on the

right track for your son!

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi

> > Â

> >> Â

> > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

> > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

> > Â

> > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have come a

long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > Â

> > Â

> > Â

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

If you ever have time, can you tell the story of your son again? I've got it in

bits and pieces but it would be great to hear all the way through. Did he ever

take medication? What recovery path did he follow? How did you do it without a

therapist?

thanks bunches

Rhonda

Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

Hi Jay, glad the Zoloft has helped your son's OCD/anxiety ease up so he's made

progress. Any progress is great! Hopefully the new therapist will be able to

speed things up since they specialize in OCD. You're right, can be difficult

finding someone, especially one who treats children. We had no one in our area.

It's good the school is working with you on all this too.

Yes, being a support group here, you read what others are dealing with with

their child, same/similar/different and severity too. It's good to have a place

to come to, this group was my best support those first years with , even

though his behaviors didn't relate to any I read about here, or rarely. But the

cause/reason for it I understood, OCD. A good place for some ideas here too,

would take what I read from others and try to fit it to work on some of

's rituals/compulsions.

Of course, when things are going well many find no reason to post, also many

leave the group when OCD is no longer a huge issue with their child, they're

better, etc. The best success stories are ones you will read about in the many

books on OCD, the OCD Foundation website or their affiliate websites.

Are you concerned your son will pop up with new behaviors later, or just keep

on with the current ones or severity will worsen? I think that is something we

all worry about. 's present OCD is not what he started out with to the

severe degree, those early behaviors are long gone (cross fingers!), and while

I'm sure medication would help the rest, he refuses to try and at 23 I can't

make him (oh, for those childhood days when I could have, lol). But he's managed

high school and 4 years of college with it, guess he has adapted; currently it

is bad thoughts and scrupulosity type OCD, which I do believe he had to a lesser

degree when younger. In fact last night I could here him mumbling in the

kitchen, and purposefully asked him if he was talking to me; he said no, I asked

if his OCD was bothering him, he said a little. He hates to talk about it. But

all the visible behaviors he had when younger (middle school and up) are gone. I

found a little success with beating one behavior seemed to help others go easier

or they just seemed to disappear.

Having had my own OCD type " quirks " has helped my understanding, I guess, and

actually see a quirk or two with my other 2 sons at times. My own has been some

counting, some germ thing related to my mom, and my own scrupulosity type

thoughts, but nothing to the degree someone with the disorder deals with 24/7,

on and on.

I'm sorry the posts have caused you more worry! But as a place to share what

is going on with our children, vent, ask for ideas, update on things, etc.,

that's what we're for! And to pass on what we've learned. Basically, as far as

treatment it's: CBT with ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure &

response prevention) for everyone, meds that can help, alternative things that

parents find helped, and having them checked for PANDAS/PANS. You're on the

right track for your son!

>

> Hi

> Â

>> Â

> It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

> scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

> Â

> I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have come a

long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> Â

> Â

> Â

>

>

[Guest guest]

thank you for your response. Because of where I'm at being new to OCD, I

felt I had to get some help for myself, I just started to see e a family

therapist to learn some coping skills dealing with OCD.

Yes, I do worry that my son's OCD will get worse and that fear is something I

have to work on. I am so afraid that my little boy is lost and I will never get

him back. As you can imagine

I want to do everything I can for him and it is so sad to see him so withdrawn

(he too has the bad thoughts.)

 

I know we are all in this together but sometimes I feel so isolated. I've

learned to take one day as it comes and hopefully, when he gets the therapy and

as he gets older he will be able

to have a normal life and learn how to control the OCD.

 

Again, thanks for your support and encouragement.

 

Regards,

Jay

________________________________

To:

Sent: Sunday, April 1, 2012 12:50 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

Hi Jay, glad the Zoloft has helped your son's OCD/anxiety ease up so he's made

progress. Any progress is great! Hopefully the new therapist will be able to

speed things up since they specialize in OCD. You're right, can be difficult

finding someone, especially one who treats children. We had no one in our area.

It's good the school is working with you on all this too.

Yes, being a support group here, you read what others are dealing with with

their child, same/similar/different and severity too. It's good to have a place

to come to, this group was my best support those first years with , even

though his behaviors didn't relate to any I read about here, or rarely. But the

cause/reason for it I understood, OCD. A good place for some ideas here too,

would take what I read from others and try to fit it to work on some of

's rituals/compulsions.

Of course, when things are going well many find no reason to post, also many

leave the group when OCD is no longer a huge issue with their child, they're

better, etc. The best success stories are ones you will read about in the many

books on OCD, the OCD Foundation website or their affiliate websites.

Are you concerned your son will pop up with new behaviors later, or just keep on

with the current ones or severity will worsen? I think that is something we all

worry about. 's present OCD is not what he started out with to the severe

degree, those early behaviors are long gone (cross fingers!), and while I'm sure

medication would help the rest, he refuses to try and at 23 I can't make him

(oh, for those childhood days when I could have, lol). But he's managed high

school and 4 years of college with it, guess he has adapted; currently it is bad

thoughts and scrupulosity type OCD, which I do believe he had to a lesser degree

when younger. In fact last night I could here him mumbling in the kitchen, and

purposefully asked him if he was talking to me; he said no, I asked if his OCD

was bothering him, he said a little. He hates to talk about it. But all the

visible behaviors he had when younger (middle school and up) are gone. I found a

little success

with beating one behavior seemed to help others go easier or they just seemed

to disappear.

Having had my own OCD type " quirks " has helped my understanding, I guess, and

actually see a quirk or two with my other 2 sons at times. My own has been some

counting, some germ thing related to my mom, and my own scrupulosity type

thoughts, but nothing to the degree someone with the disorder deals with 24/7,

on and on.

I'm sorry the posts have caused you more worry! But as a place to share what is

going on with our children, vent, ask for ideas, update on things, etc., that's

what we're for! And to pass on what we've learned. Basically, as far as

treatment it's: CBT with ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure &

response prevention) for everyone, meds that can help, alternative things that

parents find helped, and having them checked for PANDAS/PANS. You're on the

right track for your son!

>

> Hi

>  

>>  

> It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

> scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

>  

> I really want to learn and understand  OCD and believe me I have come a

long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

>  

>  

>  

>

>

[Guest guest]

my son DJ won't share the thoughts, when asked he says that their just

" bad thoughts " that will hurt him but he doesn't know what the " bad " thing is or

when it will strike. Overall he is not a big talker so I gently ask the

questions when an opportune moment arises. Again he is only 10 years old, but he

has externalized OCD and calls it " IT " .  The good news is he says that it only

hits certain times of the day and not all the time. Thanks for sharing.

________________________________

To:

Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 3:21 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

Jay, hope your therapist is helpful for coping skills. Is your son confessing

his thoughts to you, or does he keep them to himself, just upset, etc?

It's hard for my son, he agonizes over his. My own, which I've had since at

least a teenager, I can just end up shrugging off. I always just called it my

" contrary brain " (contrary = opposite) - if I shouldn't think it, I will. I get

ANNOYED with them, not anxious. So, say, if I have awful thoughts about/towards

God or Jesus, a person, some thought of terrible action/harm or whatever, I

might just say " eeewwww, YUCK, shut up you stupid brain! as if I'd really do

that.... " and just go on with my day. OK, sometimes a quick compulsion (yes,

I admit it) and a quick " sorry God, YOU know I don't mean it, just stupid,

contrary brain " . Sigh, won't work that way for my son, he takes it too intense

as if he's that type of person or something or will go to Hell or something.

Religious or not, it's still a " contrary brain. " Put me in a church, I'll

have a " bad thought. " For me it's annoyance, not so for so many others!

I really didn't have " thoughts " for a while, but thinking so much about my son

made a lot pop up with me again. Partly wondering what all he might be thinking.

You'll get your son back. With therapy the thoughts will lose their " power " and

eventually ease up, go away. And if one does pop up, he'll be able to shrug them

aside too.

My has " poor insight " into his OCD, per me and therapists. He feels the

thoughts are *him* and that OCD just makes them worse, more frequent, obsessed

over them. He does also have Aspergers Syndrome, so I think that may be a part

of why he has poor insight, but no solution to changing his perspective.

Quick thoughts, hang in there!

>

> thank you for your response. Because of where I'm at being new to

OCD, I felt I had to get some help for myself, I just started to see e a family

therapist to learn some coping skills dealing with OCD.

> Yes, I do worry that my son's OCD will get worse and that fear is something I

have to work on. I am so afraid that my little boy is lost and I will never get

him back. As you can imagine

> I want to do everything I can for him and it is so sad to see him so withdrawn

(he too has the bad thoughts.)

> Â

[Guest guest]

all of her books are fantastic - she also has ones on worrying, negative

thinking and anger . . .

Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

My son had the same exact problems as your son at his age - I just wish that I

had recognized what was going on! I think you are fortunate - perhaps you can

" nip it in the bud " so to speak. My son is now in middle school & with the help

of meds & therapy - is doing wonderfully!

One thing that I highly recommend (although your son is young) - I still

recommend this great kid friendly workbook -

What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD

(What-to-Do Guides for Kids)

By Dawn Huebner, Bonnie s

It really helped my son understand things, and provided him tools to start

fighting OCD back...Can't say enough about this workbook - it is spot on.

Keep us posted

>

> hi my three and ahalf little boy has recently been diagnosed with ocd,

> it is so sad to see he like this he constantly changed his clothes, ive had

to put child locks on his draws in his room as he will just keep changing and it

get frustereating for me. ill fix his socks for him but he will keep crying and

get more frusterated with himself and u cause they r not writem or his shoe

laces there never write even velcro he shoes, he doesnt worry about his pj;s so

nuch but he wont wear jumpers tshirts or trackies with out a screeming match, if

he doesnt get his way he can be screeming for a longtime..

> he even goes the length that cause he knows i will growl at him if i have

folded clothed up on they r in the halway waiting for me to put them away he

will actually sneak them and come into me with it behind his back so i dont go

mad but i know what it is so he gets his own way....

> he has been traumertised when he was just 2years old as he had to have

surgery and he was a wreck even had nightmares for 3-4 months after i couldnt go

anywhere as he would get very upset, so maybe that was the trigger i have no

idea//// anyway we r on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist i was wanting to

know cou ld anyone who is a parent or someone give me some idears of how i can

help my little boy, im all outta options, cheers

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I would be called a success story since I struggle with my OCD

on a regular basis, but I have had OCD from a very early age, and I am a single

mom of 12 year old twins, a learning specialist, and a community volunteer, so

there is " life " despite OCD. My two kids have both inherited it and we talk

about how we can have OCD, fight it as best we can, but also make sure to enjoy

every bit of life that we can.

Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

You will definitely get to read some lovely " success " stories on this

group--just hang in there! I think is absolutely right when she says many

of us are motivated to reach out and compose a question or just share our

anxiety when we are in the throes of bad OCD episodes---and then we forget to

write or even check in when things are calm. I have noticed that in

myself--when my 16 y/o son is not displaying any overt signs of his OCD and

seems pretty happy, I actually " forget " about his OCD, it goes into the

background. But I am hoping that you find THAT good news in itself--that days

will come when you are not having to be consumed about this illness. And I pray

that one day I will be able to post a REALLY encouraging success story for any

or all that need it that day!

> > >

> > > Hi

> > > Â

> > >> Â

> > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go

thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read

some really sad and

> > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

> > > Â

> > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have come

a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > Â

> > > Â

> > > Â

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is scary reading some stories, but being informed is a great tool!

I did share some happy news about my son, 6, bad thoughts OCD. It came in

a like a lion in Dec 2011. He came home from school, sat on my floor and

starting rocking and saying, I just want to kill you mommy, my brain won't

stop telling me to kill you. Imagine my surprise! Had a bad therapist

experience, she told my husband and I he was a psycho and basically I

should sleep with one eye open. Found a GREAT therapist. Paid a lot of $$

out of pocket but in 3 sessions, my son understood what OCD was, and how to

boss it back. He became a pro in a short amount of time. As quick as those

thoughts came in,they left him at the end of Feb. He had some confessing

left to help ease his anxiety, confessing is his compulsion, but they have

dwindled to almost non-existence over the past month. I asked him

yesterday how the OCD monster was, he told me he forgot about it! No bad

thoughts at all. His success really stemmed from his unusual ability to

express to his therapist his bad thoughts, not an easy task for a 6 year

old. He also responded well to exposure therapy. I wouldn't have been so

well prepared for his visit, or understood what he was going through, if

not for this group.

I don't know what the road holds for us, but I know I have my son back

right now and I will take it. We will be better prepared if his OCD monster

comes back and that is all I can ask for.

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:51 PM, leiendeckerl wrote:

> **

>

>

> You will definitely get to read some lovely " success " stories on this

> group--just hang in there! I think is absolutely right when she says

> many of us are motivated to reach out and compose a question or just share

> our anxiety when we are in the throes of bad OCD episodes---and then we

> forget to write or even check in when things are calm. I have noticed that

> in myself--when my 16 y/o son is not displaying any overt signs of his OCD

> and seems pretty happy, I actually " forget " about his OCD, it goes into the

> background. But I am hoping that you find THAT good news in itself--that

> days will come when you are not having to be consumed about this illness.

> And I pray that one day I will be able to post a REALLY encouraging success

> story for any or all that need it that day!

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi

> > > > Â

> > > >> Â

> > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age

> go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I

> have read some really sad and

> > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I

> started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of

> these stories.

> > > > Â

> > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have

> come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > Â

> > > > Â

> > > > Â

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much. That is very encouraging. I know all parents worry but

especially us " moms " , we take the whole world on at times, especially in times

like this.

 

Regards,

Jay

________________________________

To:

Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 8:51 PM

Subject: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

 

You will definitely get to read some lovely " success " stories on this

group--just hang in there! I think is absolutely right when she says many

of us are motivated to reach out and compose a question or just share our

anxiety when we are in the throes of bad OCD episodes---and then we forget to

write or even check in when things are calm. I have noticed that in myself--when

my 16 y/o son is not displaying any overt signs of his OCD and seems pretty

happy, I actually " forget " about his OCD, it goes into the background. But I am

hoping that you find THAT good news in itself--that days will come when you are

not having to be consumed about this illness. And I pray that one day I will be

able to post a REALLY encouraging success story for any or all that need it that

day!

> > >

> > > Hi

> > > Â

> > >> Â

> > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go

thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read

some really sad and

> > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

> > > Â

> > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have come

a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > Â

> > > Â

> > > Â

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, he sees a therapist that specializes in OCD,

http://www.stressandanxiety.com/ . Actually someone from NJ from this site

referred to me their doctor. She didn't see children as young as my son and

referred me to the above mentioned facility. We got lucky that we had someone in

our state and that I could swing the $$ out of pocket since they don't take any

insurance. I travel almost an hour to see her, and pay 200 an appointment but

as I said in 3 visits he was so much better. Now we go once every 3 weeks since

he hasn't had any obvious OCD that is bothering him.

We did erp in the office and at home. One example is my son suddenly had a fear

that he was going to push me off a bridge. I literally drove to a bridge in town

and we stood on the bridge together and he bossed back his OCD. That was the

last thought he had about hurting me. I know how lucky we are but I do believe

that the right therapist makes all the difference in the world.

Sent from my iPad

> We have been having trouble finding a good therapist for our son. Is the one

that your son sees specifically deal with children with OCD? How did you find

the right one? Thanks.

>

>

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > >> Â

> > > > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age

> > > go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I

> > > have read some really sad and

> > > > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> > > educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I

> > > started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out like some

of

> > > these stories.

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have

> > > come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

That is thrilling to hear how quickly your son caught on to beating ocd! Thanks

for sharing about your ERP. These ideas all help explain what it's supposed to

be like! Would you mind sharing what he says to boss back? It sounds like it is

very effective!!

thanks

Rhonda

Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little

boy

Yes, he sees a therapist that specializes in OCD,

http://www.stressandanxiety.com/ . Actually someone from NJ from this site

referred to me their doctor. She didn't see children as young as my son and

referred me to the above mentioned facility. We got lucky that we had someone in

our state and that I could swing the $$ out of pocket since they don't take any

insurance. I travel almost an hour to see her, and pay 200 an appointment but as

I said in 3 visits he was so much better. Now we go once every 3 weeks since he

hasn't had any obvious OCD that is bothering him.

We did erp in the office and at home. One example is my son suddenly had a

fear that he was going to push me off a bridge. I literally drove to a bridge in

town and we stood on the bridge together and he bossed back his OCD. That was

the last thought he had about hurting me. I know how lucky we are but I do

believe that the right therapist makes all the difference in the world.

Sent from my iPad

> We have been having trouble finding a good therapist for our son. Is the one

that your son sees specifically deal with children with OCD? How did you find

the right one? Thanks.

>

>

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > >> Â

> > > > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any

age

> > > go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I

> > > have read some really sad and

> > > > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> > > educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I

> > > started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out like some

of

> > > these stories.

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I

have

> > > come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > > Â

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

My son's second session with the therapist he drew a picture of his OCD

Monster, it hangs in his room to help him remember that this isn't him, he

isn't bad, his monster is. They named it, smooshy poo... remember he is 6,

and that helped him separate his OCD further away from who he was and also

added a little humor to it for him. When he has an OCD moment, he

recognizes that it is OCD, he tells me he is having an OCD thought (his

compulsion is to confess). I simply state " what do we do with OCD

thoughts? " Nothing else, I don't want to add value to the confession. In

the beginning he spoke out loud to it. He would say things like smooshy

poo you can't bother me today, your stupid smooshy poo, I would never do

that smooshy poo, you are a bully smooshy poo and he would pretend to kick

smooshy poo away. He always used the name that he gave to his OCD monster

to keep reminding himself that it wasn't him. That was a big issue for my

lil guy, he was consumed with guilt and felt like he was the worst kid in

the world. If the thought kept consuming him, that is when we do an ERP. A

couple more we did, was he thought his nails were poison and he was going

to kill me by stabbing or scratching me with them. I made him " stab " me

with his nail to show him that he wouldn't kill me. He was afraid to be

around me with knifes, I made him stand by me with a knife. He needed to

know he wouldn't do it, he couldn't do. While doing the ERP, he talks back

to his OCD monster.

He was so sad that one time he crawled up in a ball and cried for me to

kill him since he was such a bad boy. That is how bad it got in a very

short time.. and got better just as fast. Maybe is was because we caught it

so early and he was so young that he wanted to get better.. who knows but I

am just happy that for the moment my lil guy is back to normal and not

consumed with such guilt and pain. Now, last night he had a quick thought

about us being stranded on an island and he started to get very anxious, he

recognized right away that it is OCD. I didn't even have to say anything

more, he started bossing it back.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. The money we spent was worth every

penny, and I will keep spending it to keep him well. It was not easy for

my husband who has no use for therapists and after our first experience was

very against spending that kind of money. But I told my husband, if he had

cancer, we would find the best doctor around and if they didn't except our

insurance, we would pay and not think anything of it. I told him OCD is

our son's cancer right now and we need to make sure he gets better,

whatever the cost. Now, my husband thanks me.

> **

>

>

> That is thrilling to hear how quickly your son caught on to beating ocd!

> Thanks for sharing about your ERP. These ideas all help explain what it's

> supposed to be like! Would you mind sharing what he says to boss back? It

> sounds like it is very effective!!

> thanks

> Rhonda

>

>

> Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my

> little boy

>

> Yes, he sees a therapist that specializes in OCD,

> http://www.stressandanxiety.com/ . Actually someone from NJ from this

> site referred to me their doctor. She didn't see children as young as my

> son and referred me to the above mentioned facility. We got lucky that we

> had someone in our state and that I could swing the $$ out of pocket since

> they don't take any insurance. I travel almost an hour to see her, and pay

> 200 an appointment but as I said in 3 visits he was so much better. Now we

> go once every 3 weeks since he hasn't had any obvious OCD that is bothering

> him.

> We did erp in the office and at home. One example is my son suddenly had a

> fear that he was going to push me off a bridge. I literally drove to a

> bridge in town and we stood on the bridge together and he bossed back his

> OCD. That was the last thought he had about hurting me. I know how lucky we

> are but I do believe that the right therapist makes all the difference in

> the world.

>

> Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

> > We have been having trouble finding a good therapist for our son. Is the

> one that your son sees specifically deal with children with OCD? How did

> you find the right one? Thanks.

> >

> >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > >> Â

> > > > > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of

> any age

> > > > go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is

> treatable. I

> > > > have read some really sad and

> > > > > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> > > > educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed

> because I

> > > > started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out like

> some of

> > > > these stories.

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I

> have

> > > > come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the great explanations. You have a very brave little guy - and a

smart mommy!! What did therapist say starting out, to explain to son about OCD?

I've read it's a brain hiccup, a brain glitch, something about chemicals in the

brain - how did your guy not feel it was something bad about him that he even

had OCD or brain glitch, or whatever? My son has not been able to conceive how

it's separate from him, or not something bad about him.

Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my

> little boy

>

> Yes, he sees a therapist that specializes in OCD,

> http://www.stressandanxiety.com/ . Actually someone from NJ from this

> site referred to me their doctor. She didn't see children as young as my

> son and referred me to the above mentioned facility. We got lucky that we

> had someone in our state and that I could swing the $$ out of pocket since

> they don't take any insurance. I travel almost an hour to see her, and pay

> 200 an appointment but as I said in 3 visits he was so much better. Now we

> go once every 3 weeks since he hasn't had any obvious OCD that is bothering

> him.

> We did erp in the office and at home. One example is my son suddenly had a

> fear that he was going to push me off a bridge. I literally drove to a

> bridge in town and we stood on the bridge together and he bossed back his

> OCD. That was the last thought he had about hurting me. I know how lucky we

> are but I do believe that the right therapist makes all the difference in

> the world.

>

> Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

> > We have been having trouble finding a good therapist for our son. Is the

> one that your son sees specifically deal with children with OCD? How did

> you find the right one? Thanks.

> >

> >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > >> Â

> > > > > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of

> any age

> > > > go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is

> treatable. I

> > > > have read some really sad and

> > > > > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> > > > educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed

> because I

> > > > started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out like

> some of

> > > > these stories.

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I

> have

> > > > come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

His therapist read Up and Down the Worry Hill to help him understand what

OCD was. We worked on What to do When my Brain gets stuck together. I

wasn't in his whole session but whatever she told him worked. It was like

a light bulb went off and he understood that it wasn't him. He still

struggles with the concept but just knowing that someone other then his

mother was telling him he was good, he just had an OCD monster seemed to

help him tremendously.

> Thanks for the great explanations. You have a very brave little guy - and

> a smart mommy!! What did therapist say starting out, to explain to son

> about OCD? I've read it's a brain hiccup, a brain glitch, something about

> chemicals in the brain - how did your guy not feel it was something bad

> about him that he even had OCD or brain glitch, or whatever? My son has not

> been able to conceive how it's separate from him, or not something bad

> about him.

>

> Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my

> > little boy

> >

> > Yes, he sees a therapist that specializes in OCD,

> > http://www.stressandanxiety.com/ . Actually someone from NJ from this

> > site referred to me their doctor. She didn't see children as young as my

> > son and referred me to the above mentioned facility. We got lucky that

> we

> > had someone in our state and that I could swing the $$ out of pocket

> since

> > they don't take any insurance. I travel almost an hour to see her, and

> pay

> > 200 an appointment but as I said in 3 visits he was so much better. Now

> we

> > go once every 3 weeks since he hasn't had any obvious OCD that is

> bothering

> > him.

> > We did erp in the office and at home. One example is my son suddenly

> had a

> > fear that he was going to push me off a bridge. I literally drove to a

> > bridge in town and we stood on the bridge together and he bossed back

> his

> > OCD. That was the last thought he had about hurting me. I know how

> lucky we

> > are but I do believe that the right therapist makes all the difference

> in

> > the world.

> >

> > Sent from my iPad

> >

> >

> >

> > > We have been having trouble finding a good therapist for our son. Is

> the

> > one that your son sees specifically deal with children with OCD? How did

> > you find the right one? Thanks.

> > >

> > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > >> Â

> > > > > > > > It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of

> > any age

> > > > > go thru this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is

> > treatable. I

> > > > > have read some really sad and

> > > > > > > > scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for

> > > > > educational and awareness purposes, I literally got depressed

> > because I

> > > > > started to catastrophize and wondered if my boy would turn out

> like

> > some of

> > > > > these stories.

> > > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > > I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I

> > have

> > > > > come a long way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> > > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > > Â

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Please.....my email address is being abused by this organization. Pls stop

emailing me as I am NOT affiliated with your group! Thanks...

________________________________

To:

Sent: Sunday, April 1, 2012 8:00 PM

Subject: Re: Re: phsycologist please help me with my little

boy

 

-

If you ever have time, can you tell the story of your son again? I've got it in

bits and pieces but it would be great to hear all the way through. Did he ever

take medication? What recovery path did he follow? How did you do it without a

therapist?

thanks bunches

Rhonda

Re: phsycologist please help me with my little boy

Hi Jay, glad the Zoloft has helped your son's OCD/anxiety ease up so he's made

progress. Any progress is great! Hopefully the new therapist will be able to

speed things up since they specialize in OCD. You're right, can be difficult

finding someone, especially one who treats children. We had no one in our area.

It's good the school is working with you on all this too.

Yes, being a support group here, you read what others are dealing with with

their child, same/similar/different and severity too. It's good to have a place

to come to, this group was my best support those first years with , even

though his behaviors didn't relate to any I read about here, or rarely. But the

cause/reason for it I understood, OCD. A good place for some ideas here too,

would take what I read from others and try to fit it to work on some of

's rituals/compulsions.

Of course, when things are going well many find no reason to post, also many

leave the group when OCD is no longer a huge issue with their child, they're

better, etc. The best success stories are ones you will read about in the many

books on OCD, the OCD Foundation website or their affiliate websites.

Are you concerned your son will pop up with new behaviors later, or just keep on

with the current ones or severity will worsen? I think that is something we all

worry about. 's present OCD is not what he started out with to the severe

degree, those early behaviors are long gone (cross fingers!), and while I'm sure

medication would help the rest, he refuses to try and at 23 I can't make him

(oh, for those childhood days when I could have, lol). But he's managed high

school and 4 years of college with it, guess he has adapted; currently it is bad

thoughts and scrupulosity type OCD, which I do believe he had to a lesser degree

when younger. In fact last night I could here him mumbling in the kitchen, and

purposefully asked him if he was talking to me; he said no, I asked if his OCD

was bothering him, he said a little. He hates to talk about it. But all the

visible behaviors he had when younger (middle school and up) are gone. I found a

little success

with beating one behavior seemed to help others go easier or they just seemed

to disappear.

Having had my own OCD type " quirks " has helped my understanding, I guess, and

actually see a quirk or two with my other 2 sons at times. My own has been some

counting, some germ thing related to my mom, and my own scrupulosity type

thoughts, but nothing to the degree someone with the disorder deals with 24/7,

on and on.

I'm sorry the posts have caused you more worry! But as a place to share what is

going on with our children, vent, ask for ideas, update on things, etc., that's

what we're for! And to pass on what we've learned. Basically, as far as

treatment it's: CBT with ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure &

response prevention) for everyone, meds that can help, alternative things that

parents find helped, and having them checked for PANDAS/PANS. You're on the

right track for your son!

>

> Hi

> Â

>> Â

> It is heart breaking for any parent to see their children of any age go thru

this but we do have to remind ourselves that it is treatable. I have read some

really sad and

> scary posts on this site. While I understand they are for educational and

awareness purposes, I literally got depressed because I started to catastrophize

and wondered if my boy would turn out like some of these stories.

> Â

> I really want to learn and understand OCD and believe me I have come a long

way. I appreciate all you do for the site.

> Â

> Â

> Â

>

>