ASK DR. CHANSKY

[Guest guest]

Subject: Intrusive thoughts/Abuse/Hypnosis/Pandas-suggestions please

 

 

 

I  am fairly new to this group and OCD. from the board suggested that

I contact you specifically.  I have been reading your book and am so greatful to

have it as it has been our one true anchor these last few weeks!   My daughter,

13, was diagnosed with OCD this September has recently got stuck on the thought

that she may have been abused.  She has no actual memory of being abused. She

thinks it happenned when she was in 2nd grade. She tells me she has to know or

she cannot even attempt to do any exposure therapy.  The physchologist agrees

that  shes too depressed to begin. ( Her OCD symptoms came on suddenly

&  accutely and are debilitating. Mostly contamination/some just right

issues. She cannot get dressed most days.  Has most trouble with

underwear/pants.  When she becomes anxious, she tells me her butt does not feel

right and is uncomfortable/feels weird. It increases with her anxiety.  Is that

a normal part of

OCD?  She also has trouble concentrating- cant handle school or even attempt to

do school work.  Also anything bathroom related is extremely stress provoking.) 

I am pursuring the Pandas aspect of OCD and just heard this am that her

CBC/Thyroid  &  culture came back normal so we will have to test her

further.   Shes been on meds Zoloft/Lorazapam for about 5 weeks and going to

therapy twice a week but the OCD/depression and meltdowns are increasing. She is

overcome with such horrible overall fear, its keeping her from trying to fight

this at all. The physchologist wants to try hypnosis to help relieve some of the

worst symptoms and secondly, to see if anything comes out in terms of

abuse. be  The therapist will show me a list of questions she will ask her

before they begin.  Is hypnosis often used to help with OCD?  Couldnt the

thought of abuse be just part of the OCD?  My daughter is in such vunerable

state at this point I just

want some relief for her but I dont know what to think.  Could focusing on this

one thing exasperate her OCD?  It seems to be. Can children with OCD control any

of their emotions/fears or does the OCD make that impossible?  Shes just so raw

with emotions and outbursts at times.  Wouldnt it be better to concentrate on

reducing the effect of the OCD and then focusing on the possibility that she may

have been abused when she is in a better place mentally and emotionally to

handle it?  Should we just wait a few more weeks for the meds to be fully

effective until we begin ERP?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated as we are just so overwhelmed with no

clear direction or plan of how to proceed.  Also, would you please recommend

a phychologist, therapist or pediatrician in the chicago area that specializes

in this?

 Once again, I am so very greatful for your help and expertise.