Misconceptions about OCD

[Guest guest]

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.