Guest guest Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 For me it was when I could no longer help her manage the hoarding and the anxiety. When we tossed the lollypop stick she had dug out of the trash at school that wasnt even her lollypop and melted on the floor sobbing like she just watched her best friend die. Thats when I knew it was time to medicate her. Its been rough since she has gotten sick off several different meds. We are gonna try Prozac this weekend. Pray it works!! I want a life back for me her and my husband and other 3 kidos. I feel like all we do now days is deal with Ky and I dont spend the time with my other kidos that I want and they deserve. I think that you will know when the time is right. There is no need to feel guilt about meds, if he had a heart condition you would give him heart meds with out a second thought, OCD is a diease. > > > > What does disinhibition mean? --- Can mean things like they begin to get really impulsive with actions, lose sense of danger, or modesty could go, or may say things to others they wouldn't normally say.... It's like all the walls/rules came down. Very simply put. Sort of similar actions like someone who is drunk might have, inhibitions go and they behave in ways they wouldn't sober. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > > Actors' big screen transformations > > Banks is one of the stars who is nearly unrecognizable in " The Hunger Games. " > > Privacy Policy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Hi Ari I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, in the event that it might help you or someone else. Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid for less than a year. My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her over handwashing had begun even before that. When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even go to a therapist let alone talk to one. We started with alternative approaches first and went to several alternative practioners. What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw huge improvement with behavior. We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she could not see it as separate from herself. She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but she has made improvements. I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that point. I think being a little older helps too. I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we made the other changes. I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and understand it can be very helpful for some. I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for my daughter and therefore might help someone else. I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared here. in NC On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > ** > > > Hello, > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > Thank you > > Ari > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 I found mine right here from Chris. I live in NC too so I asked who she knew. Depending on what state you live in there might be someone here on this list that knows a good therapist. > > > > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > > > > I am very new to this site and have not read much in it yet. I am looking to connect with parents whose children exhibit the confessing aspect of the disorder as well as the constant and relentless question asking (usually in the form of clarification of things the child already knows the answer to but sometimes in the form of needing to know everything everyone is talking about). Her confessing involves fears about lying, cheating, doing bad things, especially things she's been asked not to do. These things can often be as benign stepping on her sister's toy that I asked her not to do. > > > > > > > > > > She has been in CBT for a couple of years (first noticed signs of OCD when she was 5 or 6). She started taking Zoloft in December which has greatly improved the symptoms but has not eradicated them completely. I am also concerned about disinhibition where she may be acting more defiant at home. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > > > > Expert tips to calm predate jitters > > > > If you do this first, you'll feel more confident about your looks, one coach says. > > > > Privacy Policy > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 -Thanks for that information. I do a lot more reading than anything else here on this wonderfully informative sight! I also, am trying to " calm " some of Calebs' " just-right " ocd and intrusive thoughts with some alternative approaches,and diet changes...,enough for him to be successful at CBT/ERP. Believe me, I completely understand the URGENCY for medication in certain circumstances...,I just feel Drs./pharmaceutical companies,are not always honest with the public about these medications we put our children on. I have a friend RIGHT NOW,THIS PAST WEEK, TOLD BY a second cardiologist that she had heart damage due to anti-depressants she had taken for 15 yrs (the latest one Zoloft for the past 3yrs.) I started to do some research,and it is not just unborn children whose hearts can be affected by some of these meds.....and if they can do this to a GROWN adult.., WHAT DAMAGE ARE THEY DOING TO THE BODIES OF CHILDREN STILL GROWING? This is not meant to be judgmental to any of you parents who have made that choice to put your child on medicine-JUST PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THE DOCTORS TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING-I'M not SAYING THEY DON'T CARE,.. But they are human...... Research and see what YOU can find about heart damage and anti-depressants even specifically ssri's..........Do it for your child(ren)- Thanks for reading, Milissa To: Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 3:26 PM Subject: Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD Hi Ari I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, in the event that it might help you or someone else. Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid for less than a year. My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her over handwashing had begun even before that. When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even go to a therapist let alone talk to one. We started with alternative approaches first and went to several alternative practioners. What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw huge improvement with behavior. We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she could not see it as separate from herself. She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but she has made improvements. I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that point. I think being a little older helps too. I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we made the other changes. I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and understand it can be very helpful for some. I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for my daughter and therefore might help someone else. I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared here. in NC On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > ** > > > Hello, > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > Thank you > > Ari > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Dear ,, Thank you for sharing all that you learned. I never thought to check allergy related food. Her therapist was on the OCD website but she is more about talking which doesn't help ocd even though i like her. She wants to empower her but I do a lot of that. She was on 50 milligrams of Flouvoxamine or Luvox it is often called. She made great improvements but recently needed a higher dose. We had a set back after working on our house...too much disarray. She seems to be good the past few days...but as a mom I am always a concerned about medication. I don't think she'd make progress without it. I tried to eek out meds little by little. I couldn't get any improvement without them. Thank you for sharing. This website makes not feel so alone with and OCD child. Ari ---------------------------------------- Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 4:26 PM To: Subject: Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD Hi Ari I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, in the event that it might help you or someone else. Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid for less than a year. My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her over handwashing had begun even before that. When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even go to a therapist let alone talk to one. We started with alternative approaches first and went to several alternative practioners. What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw huge improvement with behavior. We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she could not see it as separate from herself. She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but she has made improvements. I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that point. I think being a little older helps too. I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we made the other changes. I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and understand it can be very helpful for some. I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for my daughter and therefore might help someone else. I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared here. in NC On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > ** > > > Hello, > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > Thank you > > Ari > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Ari - I had the same kind of therapist - frustrating. I've also struggled with not wanting my son on medication. The thing is - if he had cancer, would I hesitate to do chemotherapy or radiation if that would save his life? If he had appendicitis would I object to the anesthesia? It seems in some ways there's a stigma about mental health medications just like mental illness itself. Makes it very hard to make objective decisions about medication. The other thing is - our children look like they're continuing to function (sort of!) and it doesn't look life-threatening -- but as so many of us can witness to - OCD is life threatening. It needs to be treated with the same urgency as any other life-threatening condition, with meds as one important option. (getting off the soapbox!) Rhonda Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD Hi Ari I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, in the event that it might help you or someone else. Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid for less than a year. My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her over handwashing had begun even before that. When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even go to a therapist let alone talk to one. We started with alternative approaches first and went to several alternative practioners. What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw huge improvement with behavior. We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she could not see it as separate from herself. She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but she has made improvements. I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that point. I think being a little older helps too. I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we made the other changes. I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and understand it can be very helpful for some. I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for my daughter and therefore might help someone else. I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared here. in NC On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > ** > > > Hello, > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > Thank you > > Ari > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 That was a very helpful explanation rhonda as I am one who is struggling with when to medicate my seven yr old. It's just that I don't want to start a journey of side effects:( this is so challenging of a disorder because I am always second guessing myself. Sent from my iPhone > Ari - > > I had the same kind of therapist - frustrating. > > I've also struggled with not wanting my son on medication. The thing is - if he had cancer, would I hesitate to do chemotherapy or radiation if that would save his life? If he had appendicitis would I object to the anesthesia? It seems in some ways there's a stigma about mental health medications just like mental illness itself. Makes it very hard to make objective decisions about medication. > > The other thing is - our children look like they're continuing to function (sort of!) and it doesn't look life-threatening -- but as so many of us can witness to - OCD is life threatening. It needs to be treated with the same urgency as any other life-threatening condition, with meds as one important option. > > (getting off the soapbox!) > Rhonda > > Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD > > Hi Ari > > I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, > > in the event that it might help you or someone else. > > Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun > > going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD > > website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. > > I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid > > for less than a year. > > My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD > > at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her > > over handwashing had begun even before that. > > When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even > > go to a therapist let alone talk to one. > > We started with alternative approaches first and went to several > > alternative practioners. > > What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing > > (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was > > intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw > > huge improvement with behavior. > > We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic > > Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. > > Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year > > ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she > > could not see it as separate from herself. > > She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but > > she has made improvements. > > I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is > > on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for > > less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired > > her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get > > better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in > > the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her > > OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I > > have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for > > our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely > > out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is > > home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every > > day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have > > to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet > > changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, > > reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father > > and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for > > many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her > > behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is > > getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that > > point. I think being a little older helps too. > > I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we > > made the other changes. > > I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and > > understand it can be very helpful for some. > > I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for > > my daughter and therefore might help someone else. > > I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared > > here. > > in NC > > On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > > > ** > > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > > > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > > > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > > > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > > > > > Thank you > > > > > > Ari > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Hello, One aspect about meds that helped me with regards to my son was the possibility that he could get off of them. Unlike many conditions, when meds are started for OCD there is a good chance that they won't be needed life long. My son's psychiatrist told us that my son would have about a 50% chance of not needing medications in the long run - especially if my son underwent and worked hard at the ERP therapy. For us the ERP work well and my son no longer needs any medication. But, I would definitely have kept him on the medications if he had needed them and if they had helped him. Best, Joni > > Ari - > > I had the same kind of therapist - frustrating. > > I've also struggled with not wanting my son on medication. The thing is - if he had cancer, would I hesitate to do chemotherapy or radiation if that would save his life? If he had appendicitis would I object to the anesthesia? It seems in some ways there's a stigma about mental health medications just like mental illness itself. Makes it very hard to make objective decisions about medication. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I understand what you mean. It's exciting that Cincinnati Children's has developed a way to test blood that can predict what kind of med might work best for a particular person. Not sure how it works. Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD > > Hi Ari > > I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, > > in the event that it might help you or someone else. > > Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun > > going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD > > website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. > > I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid > > for less than a year. > > My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD > > at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her > > over handwashing had begun even before that. > > When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even > > go to a therapist let alone talk to one. > > We started with alternative approaches first and went to several > > alternative practioners. > > What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing > > (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was > > intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw > > huge improvement with behavior. > > We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic > > Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. > > Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year > > ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she > > could not see it as separate from herself. > > She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but > > she has made improvements. > > I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is > > on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for > > less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired > > her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get > > better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in > > the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her > > OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I > > have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for > > our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely > > out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is > > home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every > > day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have > > to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet > > changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, > > reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father > > and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for > > many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her > > behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is > > getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that > > point. I think being a little older helps too. > > I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we > > made the other changes. > > I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and > > understand it can be very helpful for some. > > I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for > > my daughter and therefore might help someone else. > > I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared > > here. > > in NC > > On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > > > ** > > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > > > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > > > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > > > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > > > > > Thank you > > > > > > Ari > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I understand what you mean. It's exciting that Cincinnati Children's has developed a way to test blood that can predict what kind of med might work best for a particular person. Not sure how it works. Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD > > Hi Ari > > I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, > > in the event that it might help you or someone else. > > Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun > > going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD > > website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. > > I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid > > for less than a year. > > My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD > > at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her > > over handwashing had begun even before that. > > When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even > > go to a therapist let alone talk to one. > > We started with alternative approaches first and went to several > > alternative practioners. > > What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing > > (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was > > intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw > > huge improvement with behavior. > > We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic > > Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. > > Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year > > ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she > > could not see it as separate from herself. > > She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but > > she has made improvements. > > I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is > > on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for > > less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired > > her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get > > better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in > > the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her > > OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I > > have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for > > our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely > > out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is > > home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every > > day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have > > to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet > > changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, > > reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father > > and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for > > many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her > > behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is > > getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that > > point. I think being a little older helps too. > > I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we > > made the other changes. > > I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and > > understand it can be very helpful for some. > > I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for > > my daughter and therefore might help someone else. > > I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared > > here. > > in NC > > On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > > > ** > > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > > > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > > > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > > > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > > > > > Thank you > > > > > > Ari > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I started my daughter on medication when she was in second grade because her OCD was affecting the amount of food she was eating and I was worried that this would be detrimental to her health. Of course, she was also being affected in other ways by her OCD and trich. It wasn't until she was in 4th grade that we switched to the right medication for her and she completed stopped pulling her hair out and her more bizarre thoughts went away and she was less stressed so she did better socially, i.e. less emotional melt downs. Unfortunately, it took too long, and she has been " labeled " as different in her tiny school district and is basically shunned by most of the kids, even though she now has long beautiful blonde hair, isn't affected all that much by the OCD, doesn't have melt downs, and is a truly loyal, caring friend. I only wish I could have found the right medication sooner because the scarring effect of being socially ostracized is something that can't be minimized and needs to be taken into consideration when being nervous about putting your child on medication. Social ostracism can be worse than any possible side effect of a med. Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD I understand what you mean. It's exciting that Cincinnati Children's has developed a way to test blood that can predict what kind of med might work best for a particular person. Not sure how it works. Re: Re: 9 year old with OCD > > Hi Ari > > I am relatively new to this site. I thought I would share our experiences, > > in the event that it might help you or someone else. > > Reading posts here lately as my daughter, now 10 has only recently begun > > going to a therapist for her OCD. We found someone who was on the OCD > > website ( I believe the National Organization) that I found out about here. > > I amazingly found someone who takes Medicaid. We have only had Medicaid > > for less than a year. > > My daughter has never been formally " diagnosed " . But she obviously had OCD > > at age 8 and as we looked back, we saw many signs the year before and her > > over handwashing had begun even before that. > > When things first got serious, 2 years ago, there was no way she would even > > go to a therapist let alone talk to one. > > We started with alternative approaches first and went to several > > alternative practioners. > > What has helped her was after having IGg Alergy Testing > > (delayed allergy response- and often behavioral), and we found she was > > intolerant to gluten, eggs and citrus- and took her off those items- we saw > > huge improvement with behavior. > > We have also been giving her amino acid supplements (from our Naturopathic > > Doctor) along with magnesium and probiotics. > > Now it has been almost a year since being off gluten. Less than a year > > ago, we were able to really talk about the OCD. Before this time, she > > could not see it as separate from herself. > > She just started ERP and I have no idea how much it will work for her but > > she has made improvements. > > I really like our therapist, glad she is a woman, and like how the focus is > > on Abby making decisions to touch more things and to wash her hands for > > less time (her primary issues). For my daughter, Abby, OCD really impaired > > her self esteem and I feel it is so important to empower her to want to get > > better and that really she has to be the one to decide to participate in > > the ERP and make the changes necessary to improve and get control over her > > OCD. After all, it is her life and not mine. It is something that I > > have to continuously remind myself. It has not been an easy journey for > > our family over the past two years. Her behavior early on was completely > > out of control, threatening and even suicidal at times. Because she is > > home with her siblings, we homeschool, it really affected all of us every > > day. It is almost hard to believe how far we have come in 2 years. I have > > to say that the huge behavioral improvements came about with patience, diet > > changes (IGg testing), amino acids and other supplements, listening, > > reading and researching- me and her father- as well as some EFT (her father > > and I have taken classes and also have gone to a practioner for EFT for > > many years). I see the ERP helping more with the compulsions now that her > > behavior is improved. She still has times when she melts down, but is > > getting much better at expressing what is going on before it gets to that > > point. I think being a little older helps too. > > I know her therapy would not be going as well as it is going, before we > > made the other changes. > > I know each family needs to make their own decisions about medication and > > understand it can be very helpful for some. > > I feel compelled to share our experiences since it has been so helpful for > > my daughter and therefore might help someone else. > > I have learned so much from this group and am glad for all who have shared > > here. > > in NC > > On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Ariana Dingman wrote: > > > ** > > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > My daughter has OCD and she was diagnosed at 7. She is on medication. We > > > have gone from therapist to ocd therapist to social worker etc and have not > > > had anyone mildly successful in addressing the compulsions with CBT. Where > > > did you find your specialist that helped your child? > > > > > > Thank you > > > > > > Ari > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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