Re: Misconceptions about OCD

[Guest guest]

I completely agree. It breaks my heart to think of the countless children,

adults and families who

go undiagnosed and suffer for years or a lifetime, when there is in fact, help

out there. It appears that it is only

in this generation that a deeper understanding of OCD is being reached. I'm

attaching a link to this

year's annual OCD Foundation Conference taking place this summer in Chicago.

Coincidentally, I'm

going to be in Chicago and am going to try to make it (I live in Los Angeles).

Our therapists at UCLA say it's worthwhile.

I'll certainly pass along anything I find of interest. And yes, the more

information we share with each other

and pass along, hopefully the more children can be helped!

Best to you all,

International OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Foundation - 2012 OCD

Conference

> I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

>

> I read all of your posts and my heart breaks for what these kids have to deal

with and how they suffer. I think about the hundreds and thousands of parents

who are not on this list and have kids with severe OCD that may not be getting

proper treatment because of uninformed doctors/psychiatrists, and parents, who

are also under the widespread misconceptions about OCD.

>

> In the past 2 years I've had to give myself crash courses in Tourette's

syndrome, Lyme disease, and most recently, OCD. But I know I am among the

minority of parents, likeI think we all are here, that have the time to research

these things and to subsequently find groups like this for knowledge and

support.

>

> It was here in this group that I've gotten most of my OCD crash course, more

so than info I found online. Even when you look up the " typical symptoms " of

OCD, you don't see anywhere near what it can encompass. For example, Todd posted

about his son's reading block, and a few others mentioned their kids having the

same issue. Unlikely you'd find that online, and that's something that could

easily be misconstrued or misdiagnosed as a variety of other issues aside from

OCD.

>

> I know it's obviously not possible to educate everyone on the planet about

things like Tourette's and OCD, I just wish there was a way to get the word out

there on a more consistent basis to help a lot of kids and parents who are

suffering and have no idea what to do and where to turn.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I completely agree. It breaks my heart to think of the countless children,

adults and families who

go undiagnosed and suffer for years or a lifetime, when there is in fact, help

out there. It appears that it is only

in this generation that a deeper understanding of OCD is being reached. I'm

attaching a link to this

year's annual OCD Foundation Conference taking place this summer in Chicago.

Coincidentally, I'm

going to be in Chicago and am going to try to make it (I live in Los Angeles).

Our therapists at UCLA say it's worthwhile.

I'll certainly pass along anything I find of interest. And yes, the more

information we share with each other

and pass along, hopefully the more children can be helped!

Best to you all,

International OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Foundation - 2012 OCD

Conference

> I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

>

> I read all of your posts and my heart breaks for what these kids have to deal

with and how they suffer. I think about the hundreds and thousands of parents

who are not on this list and have kids with severe OCD that may not be getting

proper treatment because of uninformed doctors/psychiatrists, and parents, who

are also under the widespread misconceptions about OCD.

>

> In the past 2 years I've had to give myself crash courses in Tourette's

syndrome, Lyme disease, and most recently, OCD. But I know I am among the

minority of parents, likeI think we all are here, that have the time to research

these things and to subsequently find groups like this for knowledge and

support.

>

> It was here in this group that I've gotten most of my OCD crash course, more

so than info I found online. Even when you look up the " typical symptoms " of

OCD, you don't see anywhere near what it can encompass. For example, Todd posted

about his son's reading block, and a few others mentioned their kids having the

same issue. Unlikely you'd find that online, and that's something that could

easily be misconstrued or misdiagnosed as a variety of other issues aside from

OCD.

>

> I know it's obviously not possible to educate everyone on the planet about

things like Tourette's and OCD, I just wish there was a way to get the word out

there on a more consistent basis to help a lot of kids and parents who are

suffering and have no idea what to do and where to turn.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have found that a lot with Aidan. I first noticed Aidan's OCD issues when he

was 2 & have had a lot of problems with people assuming other things are wrong

with him (mainly autism). He also has a speech problem & is highly intellegent.

My husband has OCD, so I already had to deal with it - his is mainly checking.

So even though I didn't look for therapy (I didn't know what could be done with

a 2 yr old), I could tell that he stopped eating when I moved his juice box

slightly & fixed it because he had OCD. And while I didn't know it at the time,

I think it helped that I kept doing it. Since then I found this site & read a

couple books & can identify other little 'quirks' or issues of his that were

most likely also part of his OCD. The more I find out, the more little things

make sense!

But when I talk to school about his OCD, the 1st response is usually that they

don't notice any hand washing or germ issues. And I think that because so many

autistic children also have OCD, some teachers relate certain OCD issues to

autism. Especially if there's some kind of social anxiety or a social delay

(because of his speech disorder, Aidan only spoke to people he was comfortable

with until around 6). This year I asked for him to be evaulated by school so his

OCD could be documented (we currently don't have a therapist & I have no written

diagnosis to give school), and instead of evaluating him for OCD, they evaluated

him for autism! The good thing that came out of it is he's being put in a

mentally gifted program, but now I have to explain his issues to an entire new

school for next year, since his current school is closing. And I really have no

way of knowing how my child who doesn't deal well with going to a different

classroom for art for 1 day will deal with a totally new school!

I got off topic a little! But I wish there was a better awareness of what OCD

can really entail!

Dani

>

> I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

>

[Guest guest]

Dani, when you throw autism in the mix of OCD, it can be difficult to pick out

the cause of some behaviors/quirks. His getting upset about the art room

change, for me, went to the autism side.

Know what you mean about the school stuff. has diagnoses of OCD,

Aspergers and dysgraphia. The Aspergers dx was done in 8th grade, the latter

part of year, but I never said anything to the school until 9th; though his

middle school counselors knew I suspected it. Anyway, in 6th grade his OCD

began. And the doctor also said he had dysgraphia, due to his writing

difficulty (physical part of writing) and the illegibility. Well the illegible

part started with the OCD. Short story, all the accommodations they gave him

for dysgraphia went right along with what he needed due to OCD; like writing

less, OCD made it hard for him to write but the writing less for dysgraphia

reasons helped us with the OCD difficulty. I think I'm getting confusing, lol,

sorry. But I hope any autism diagnosis related things and supports for them at

school, help your son with his OCD needs.

> >

> > I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Well I was lucky in that I knew what OCD could do and recognized it in

when it began in 6th. But I didn't know that some of his earlier " quirks " fell

in with what OCD can do. Like the " reassurance questions " he used to ask me

when he was younger. Learned that term after his OCD started and I joined this

group, and there was an " aha! " moment.

And the majority of his particular behaviors at that time weren't in any book.

I also feel there are kids probably being misdiagnosed. Like maybe oppositional

Defiant Disorder, as OCD can make anyone uncooperative, defiant and

hostile/upset with others. But if the OCD isn't recognized, or maybe the child

is hiding it, then it doesn't get diagnosed. So ODD or a few other diagnoses

could be given.

Quick thoughts,

>

> I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

>

[Guest guest]

After the in-depth testing they did on Aidan, it was decided that he is

absolutely not autistic. Which is good & bad. Because they tested for autism &

not OCD, and I don't have a written dx to give them, he won't be getting any

services at school that might help with his OCD. Unless I can somehow sneak

something on his IEP or GIEP when we update/create them next month.

Right now, his OCD doesn't get triggered much at school. As long as they stick

to their schedules & routines, or at the very least warn him of upcoming changes

to the schedule he's fine. The one accomadation his teacher has given him is

they don't move his desk. Although they did try a couple times. In K, it was

triggered often (needed an orange chair, sat on 'S' on rug, etc.), but 2nd grade

is structured enough that he's usually fine.

The art class incident also coincided with a sub & him already having an 'off'

day. But since the teachers seem to forget or not believe he has OCD until

there's a problem, we have issues every once in a while. I think it was a case

of the straw that broke the camel's back!

On a better note, though, I finally got him to bless himself at church 3 times

last Sunday & making it a full minute before 'undoing' it! Major progress!

Dani

>

> Dani, when you throw autism in the mix of OCD, it can be difficult to pick out

the cause of some behaviors/quirks. His getting upset about the art room

change, for me, went to the autism side.

>

[Guest guest]

,

I guess I knew a little about OCD before it became a big problem for my son.  I

just thought of him as my " quirky " kid, just a cute part of his personality.  I

didn't realize that it could be such a huge problem until last year.  Even

then, when ds was first really having problems in school, I didn't recognize

that it was all OCD/anxiety and had him evaluated for ADHD because that is what

his teacher was telling me the problem was.  I, too, have been rushing to

research to catch up and I agree that this forum has been the most helpful

resource I have found. 

Even close family members would question the fact that I had my son going to a

therapist, because they didn't understand or see what we saw at home.  I feel

like I am on the defensive sometimes because others don't understand.  Ds has a

good therapist and psychiatric team now  and so we are taking it one day at a

time and learning as we go.

 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 8:23 AM

Subject: Misconceptions about OCD

 

I wondered if you all had the same experience as me with learning about OCD?

Before my son exhibited very obvious signs of Tourette's/tics, I was one of many

who thought that Tourette's was all about uncontrollable swearing. I also

thought OCD was all about hand-washing and germ-phobia until my son started

exhibiting many of the behaviors that led me to this list.

I read all of your posts and my heart breaks for what these kids have to deal

with and how they suffer. I think about the hundreds and thousands of parents

who are not on this list and have kids with severe OCD that may not be getting

proper treatment because of uninformed doctors/psychiatrists, and parents, who

are also under the widespread misconceptions about OCD.

In the past 2 years I've had to give myself crash courses in Tourette's

syndrome, Lyme disease, and most recently, OCD. But I know I am among the

minority of parents, likeI think we all are here, that have the time to research

these things and to subsequently find groups like this for knowledge and

support.

It was here in this group that I've gotten most of my OCD crash course, more so

than info I found online. Even when you look up the " typical symptoms " of OCD,

you don't see anywhere near what it can encompass. For example, Todd posted

about his son's reading block, and a few others mentioned their kids having the

same issue. Unlikely you'd find that online, and that's something that could

easily be misconstrued or misdiagnosed as a variety of other issues aside from

OCD.

I know it's obviously not possible to educate everyone on the planet about

things like Tourette's and OCD, I just wish there was a way to get the word out

there on a more consistent basis to help a lot of kids and parents who are

suffering and have no idea what to do and where to turn.