Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

[KimDW]

He has said that he hates that he does those things and even mentioned OCD one time when we were talking about it. I'm not sure if he would even go to the doctor. He knows that I worry about him and he hates it that I do. Do people with OCD trust others to do something for them - like turning off the light switch or telling them that they locked the door and turned off the lights? Because he does. It takes him about an hour and 45 mins to get ready in the morning - 40 mins of it is the shower. I think because he's still half asleep when he gets in there (I'm the same way though). He says that I help him alot by telling him that he doesn't need to worry about the faucets being on or off. Well, I've gotta get to work. I'll check back in later.

Kim

 

[candi]

You know, Kim, that's a good question....and I don't have an answer for that one. Maybe Wayne will know. I would think the person would not feel comfortable unless they did it themselves....but again, everyone's different.

The truth of the matter is, the situation is his to deal with, even though it affects you. It is apparent you love him dearly, and would like nothing more than to help, but it will be up to him to seek treatment if and when he's ready.

The only problem is, if it is OCD, it probably won't just go away by itself. Like I mentioned to Wayne earlier, each time a coping mechanism is used and works to ease anxiety, it reinforces the OCD behavior.

 

[icklemoley]

Its not about trusting that you could, for example, turn the light off for him, its that (and i'm assming - as with me) if he walks past one he may feel the need to touch it, or some other ritual. Its not an easy question to answer.

W x

 

[LAEnggren]

Hi Everyone
My son has OCD he is now 14 was diagnosed at 12 and he had severe hand washing behavior and was depressed lost weight and would not hanfg w/his friends This was hard to watch and to treat as he refused to acknowledge the problem which is very common w/OCD He does not consider the behavior obsessive, all I knew was my happy son had changed 2 very life changing tthings occured His older brother moved away to college and his Grandpa was diagnosed w/Cancer I tried taking him to a psychologist but he would not talk so the medical Dr suggested paxil which helped not totally but he definitely became more like himself He was on this for about a year and half and just recently he switched to Lexapro because his symptoms seemed to come back again do to the death of his cousin,Christine. My Mom had been apaxil for years and suggested Harry try Lexapro cuz she did and had more energy and so I did It si a very hard to treat in a teenager because they hate to talk but he has been on lexapro foralmost a month and it seems to work better I hope some day he will go talk to therapist What i want most is for him to be a happy healthy functionning adult and this is what i say to him if your leg was broke or you were physically sick I would take you to the dr. and mental health is no different so please take the medicine and he does
I really was happy to read all the thoughts on here as they have all been in my head I believe we allhave a tuoch of OCD it becomes aproblemwhen it takes over your life I have read all the websites mentioned good sources of info Wayne and Kim do not be afraid to admit and help your self and your hubby I am hoping my son will thank me some day or understand why Iinsisted on taking him tothe dr. and he take the medicine Ok I guess I rambled
Lisa