Re: Re: OCD Uncertainty, Adolescence and Career planning. Advice Wanted.

[Guest guest]

Yup, OCD is all about uncertainty. One of the prominent features of my son's

OCD is his feeling compelled to seek reassurance. So you reassure him and

reassure him and each reassurance intensifies the cycle. After a while, I got

so I could tell when it was an OCD question. I don't know if it's tone of voice

or body language or what. I wonder if you can detect the same in your son? Of

course, being asked for reassurance the 4th, 5th, 6th time tends to be a

give-away, too!

Sometimes the topics wanting reassurance are clearly not likely events. But

sometimes, like worrying about college and career, the topics are entirely

appropriate ones for a kid that age (mine is 19). It's the way the question is

asked and re-asked. If it seems to be a reassurance ritual, then it can be

attacked like any OCD thing--which you are already doing, it sounds like.

> Hello,

>

> My son, now 18, also worries a lot about his future and many times has

mentioned to me how he wishes he knew what he wanted to do. Like you, I tell him

that this is a normal (and not only an OCD) thing and that many others his age

also don't have a clue. I also tell him that as long he continues trying he will

find his way - just take it all day by day.

>

> I think I also use his doubts about the future as a type of exposure for him

(as in a minor form of ERP). I tell him that because of his OCD he will always

be uncomfortable with doubt and that he should take every opportunity to learn

to deal with it. OF course, this doesn't always go over very well.

>

> My son is also interested in biology and is majoring in it in college. There

is a lot your son could do with a degree in this field.

>

> I would definitely encourage your son to be involved in any activity he finds

enjoyable - a good way to build confidence and feel good about his place in the

world.

>

> Best,

>

> Joni

>

>

> >

> > My 16 year-old son suffers from OCD. He is managing it fairly well most of

the time.

> >

> > I have read here and elsewhere that uncertainty is a big part of OCD.

> >

> > He worries increasingly about his future career and how he will support

himself. He does not want to be a burden on us or his sister. We try to comfort

him - adolescence is a time of uncertainty for most teens. He wants to go to

college and is smart enough to do well there - if motivated.

> >

> > It seems like his uncertainty might be reduced by choosing a career path

sooner than later. He has expressed an interested in studying Biology and Scuba

Diving. He will not talk about career paths (ie Marine Biologist) that might

result from studying those subjects.

> >

> > For a while he was very interested in bicycles and looked into bicycle

mechanic schools. Some classes last a few weeks. It seems like that kind of

training might increase his confidence and provide a good alternative skill-set.

> >

> > What do you think?

> >

> > Todd

> >

>

>