Re: Lexapro causing attention problems or OCD itself?

October 10, 2011

Look at her sub scores on the IQ test, is her working memory

scores low? Does she have high scores in one area and low

in another? The overall IQ is less interesting as the

subscores tell you if there is a learning disorder.

My daughter on anti-depressants (zoloft and prozac) has been better focused,

since she is not as obsessive.

I had a DNA drug sensitivity test done for my daughter at Children's

Hospital in Cincinnati (they send a kit and I had it

drawn at the local hospital), and it showed that

my daughter would metabolize Prozac better than Zoloft (or lexapro) so we

switched and she had less side effects.

We had more disinhibited behaviors on higher doses of

anti-depressants such as agression toward me.

Pam

>

> Hi,

> I'm hoping someone else has had this experience and can offer some

suggestions. My daughter is on Lexapro for her OCD. If I had to put a

percentage of effectiveness, I'd give it about an 85-90%. She still has a fear

of Comet, the powdered cleanser, and a powerful fear of the idea of death, but

overall she is maintaining well and handling life. So what's my concern?

> Well, besides the weight gain the Lexapro caused, since she's been on it, she

has been completely scatterbrained and unable to focus for long periods of time

on things. If you talk to her directly, you can literally see how you lose her

after just a few sentences. She used to be very responsible, kept her room

really, really neat, and just seemed more " together " . She loves computer

fashion games, movies geared for younger children (like Barbie, Disney movies,

Disney channel shows, etc.) and can focus on them forever (maybe because they

don't require a give-and-take?)

> So is this just a by-product of OCD or the medicine? We had her evaluated the

summer she was 15 but the report came back with all sorts of dire predictions,

an incredibly low IQ (she gets A's and B's in school), and no clear answers.

I've entertained the thought of Asperger's given her social awkwardness, but I'm

really stumped at this point.

> The Lexapro is responsible for getting her back to " normal " enough to do

school well and that's our first priority, so I'm very reluctant to mess with

medications.

> Any thoughts on this or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

> Debbie

>

Recommended Posts