icklemoley
Cathlete
Send the boys around! Cool!!! lol ... feeling better already!!! 
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Thread starter KimDW
- Start date
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
((((((( NANCY ))))))))) Thank you!! That means the world to me, because I really struggled with the whole med issue. Now I can see how much she needs them, at least for now. And if she needs them for the rest of her life, so be it. The important thing is she's able to live her life and not let the OCD get in the way. She's a straight A student, a happy young teen, and a budding musician, so every day when I see her accomplishments and her beautiful smile, I know we made the right choice with the Paxil.
Carol
Carol
jillybean
Cathlete
I spent a year in a psych ward. I had OCD bad (that was not the main reason for my hospitalization). I took a prescribed mix of Clonopin and Zoloft and that seemed to help. I am still quite obsessive about certain things, but I can function now and don't spend hours picking lint off the carpet or making my bed.
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Leslie, only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose OCD. Often, as is the case with medical diagnoses, two different mental health docs will offer two different opinions or diagnoses as well. Nik was incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD at first when she was 7, but we never put her on meds. We tried behavior modification, and eventually the OCD symptoms faded into the background, but they never completely disappeared. To say I was in denial for years is an understatement, but hindsight is always 20/20, right? If your daughter is doing well on the Celexa, I'd say be thankful for now that you have found something she can tolerate, and that is helping her. Even though Nik is on the Paxil, believe me when I tell you she still has obsessions. What I've read on SSRI studies is that you only get about a 30% reduction in symptoms even on the highest safe dose. She needs to learn to use the coping skills they taught her, but it's tough for kids to use them. One day, in her own time, she will. But she's just not ready yet. Your daughter will learn in time to use them as well, but right now if the meds help her and she can tolerate them, I'm happy for you and for her!! I feel like I'm right there with you, and it's SO good to know there are other moms of young teens on here who are going through this!!
Carol
Carol
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Candi, I'm very glad you were able to use the skills they taught you, and that the Cognitive-Behavior therapy worked for you! Nik wasn't able to tolerate any of that. It was simply too frightening for her, but they told me as she grows older and develops coping skills from life it may work one day. I'm very happy for you though, and I'm so glad you shared this! It gives me hope.
Nik's OCD flared up BIG TIME after the events of 9/11. It was far worse after that than at any other time, and yes from what I've read a traumatic experience will often set it off. I'm glad you were able to get your symptoms under control.
Carol
Nik's OCD flared up BIG TIME after the events of 9/11. It was far worse after that than at any other time, and yes from what I've read a traumatic experience will often set it off. I'm glad you were able to get your symptoms under control.
Carol
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
You all have no idea how much this thread has helped me. Thank you to Kim for starting it, and thank you to all of you for sharing your stories. You've all given me hope for Nik.
Carol
Carol
candi
Cathlete
Carol,
I believe your daughter will use those skills in time. It took me several years to take control, and it wasn't overnight. Utilizing these skills was extremely difficult at first because I didn't believe I had the power. I was convinced I was going to have the problem for the rest of my life so I'd better learn to live with it.
My counselor (bless her) finally looked at me and said, "Candi, where do you think those thoughts are coming from, it's your brain. When they start, just turn them off." I was in sort of a "learned helplessness" mode and wouldn't even try. Finally, I decided I had to take charge and tried, and it worked. But I had to continually do it until habit kicked in. Imagine how hard it is for someone who's cognitive skills are not fully developed yet!!!
BTW, my obsessions were identical to your daughter's. I could not stand to be around knives, scissors or anything with a point. My fear was that I would hurt myself or someone else. It was the most awful thing you could ever imagine. And then realizing I needed help and trying to explain my thoughts. Complete and utter shame! I'm sure your daughter was horrified.
You took care of your daughter. You loved her enough to see her pain and help her and intelligent enough not to turn away in denial. She is very lucky to have you for a mother. I wish her the best!
I believe your daughter will use those skills in time. It took me several years to take control, and it wasn't overnight. Utilizing these skills was extremely difficult at first because I didn't believe I had the power. I was convinced I was going to have the problem for the rest of my life so I'd better learn to live with it.
My counselor (bless her) finally looked at me and said, "Candi, where do you think those thoughts are coming from, it's your brain. When they start, just turn them off." I was in sort of a "learned helplessness" mode and wouldn't even try. Finally, I decided I had to take charge and tried, and it worked. But I had to continually do it until habit kicked in. Imagine how hard it is for someone who's cognitive skills are not fully developed yet!!!
BTW, my obsessions were identical to your daughter's. I could not stand to be around knives, scissors or anything with a point. My fear was that I would hurt myself or someone else. It was the most awful thing you could ever imagine. And then realizing I needed help and trying to explain my thoughts. Complete and utter shame! I'm sure your daughter was horrified.
You took care of your daughter. You loved her enough to see her pain and help her and intelligent enough not to turn away in denial. She is very lucky to have you for a mother. I wish her the best!
Wow. I just checked in from starting this thread yesterday and was suprised at the feedback. I think my husband has this. It started being really noticable about 2 years ago when he was putting his tennis shoes on and would shake them out 2-3 times and look in them and say to himself that he doesn't see anything in his shoe. Also, making sure the water is turned off, or the caps are on his hair gel and deodorant, or worrying that the truck door didn't shut right. I don't think he worries that something bad will happen to the actual item and since we are always tight on money he probably thinks that then we'd have to spend more money on fixing something. He says that he has a hard time focusing on doing things and gets distracted and then it's like his mind is telling him that he didn't do it right and needs to do it again. It's worse if he's tired. He says things like "OK, what I need to do now is take my shoes off. Before I take off my shoes I'm going to wipe them on the rug." and then he wipes them usually for 10 counts. Does this sound like OCD? He talks to me about it and says that he knows what he's doing is irrational but at the time he has to do it. I think alot of it is because he wants us to have a nice house and doesn't want anything to happen to it. He says that it's worse when he's at home and not as bad at work or even if we're out somewhere for the day. He's fine when he's away from the house. I'm scared for him to go to the doctor and be put on meds and really has bad side affects or gets worse. I don't know. I debated for months whether to right this post. I love him so much and I want him to be happy and enjoy life. He's only 29 (will be 30 on July 4th). I'm not sure what to do.
Kim
Kim
candi
Cathlete
Kim,
It certainly appears he has symptoms associated with OCD. If you have mental health insurance, it may be possible for him to be evaluated by a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC). The therapist would probably suggest Cognitive Behavioral therapy over medication.
The way it worked with my insurance was: First an evaluation by a LMHC, then 6 sessions were approved by my insurance for therapy. If it's the medication that you're worried about, this may be a good approach. Certainly couldn't hurt.
You haven't said whether or not these symptoms are bothering him.
It certainly appears he has symptoms associated with OCD. If you have mental health insurance, it may be possible for him to be evaluated by a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC). The therapist would probably suggest Cognitive Behavioral therapy over medication.
The way it worked with my insurance was: First an evaluation by a LMHC, then 6 sessions were approved by my insurance for therapy. If it's the medication that you're worried about, this may be a good approach. Certainly couldn't hurt.
You haven't said whether or not these symptoms are bothering him.
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Candi your post brought me to tears. Thank you so much! Nik is only 13, and I know one day she'll wake up and decide to take charge of this. Thanks again!!
Carol
Carol
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Kim, only a mental health professional can diagnosis OCD or another anxiety-related disorder. Would he be willing to talk to someone? Does he want to? Candi brought up a good point in asking if these behaviors bother him. Your love and concern for him pours out of your post, but how does he feel about these behaviors of his? Can you tell him what you just told us?
Carol
Carol
>Send the boys around! Cool!!! lol ... feeling better already!!! <
Oh Wayne, You made me chuckle with this one!
I Third and fourth what everyone here has said! You are not a basket case. Living in today's society has put a lot of pressures on us that weren't around in previous generations. It is very very hard for them to understand us! My grandmother included! (but she has come around!)
I think there CAN be a link between ADHD and Anxiety disorders though as I am proof.
As a child (around 5 I think) in approx 1974, I was diagnosed as "hyper Kenetic" --Todays ADHD-- and was put on ritalin. THe doctors stopped the meds when I turned 13 because "they no longer work once puberty hits." Of course the problems were still there, I was just expected to deal with it myself. I lived a pretty sheltered live so didn't notice the anxiety problems until I got more out into society. All my life I've had concentration problems-- I have trouble speaking or reading if there is loud talking, radio, or tv going on at the same time, I just can't concentrate. But once I hit late teens my anxiety kicked in and would manifest in SEVERE anger. Finally in my early 20's I was properly diagnosed and treated! HOORAY!! After many guinea pig medication trials, I've found Effexor XR just right for me.
I think my anxiety stems from my early life ADHD, and I really HATE that kids are being mis diagnosed as having ADHD when the child is just being a child! It makes it so much harder for kids with true attention/anxiety problems to be believed as needing help/meds. (Also when I tell people I have ADHD they think I'VE been mis-diagnosed or am just jumping on the current syndrome band-wagon! ;-/ )
Also now in my mid 30's I seem to have some OCD symptoms--like just the other day I actually pulled back into my drive, un-locked the house and made sure the cat was still on the bed and hadn't slipped out the door behind me when I left. All the while thinking "I know this is obsessive because I was watching and DID NOT see him run out." But checking made me feel better! Just think how I would be without the meds -- angry AND obsessive! "I'm angry and have to hit you exactly 14 times! Hold still!" -- SCARY ;-)
I still go into my times of self pity "why can't I handle lifes problems like everyone else?!?! Why can't I be normal?!?! But my husband doesn't let me stay there long!
I hope you have someone special that you can count on to help and support you through this, it truly helps. My husband took all my abuse yet he stayed by me and helped me. It was hard on him too, but he thought I was worth it. I hope you have such a person.
Geez I wrote a book! All this to say that Wayne, you ARE normal! Take care of yourself!
Nadine
P.S. I hope no-one was offended by my anger/obsession joke. I know violence is NOT a laughing matter, (I've been there!) however sometimes finding something to smile about in all the crap makes all the difference!
~~Happiness is an Attitude -- Med's make the attitude easier! ;-)~~
<Oh Wayne, You made me chuckle with this one!
I Third and fourth what everyone here has said! You are not a basket case. Living in today's society has put a lot of pressures on us that weren't around in previous generations. It is very very hard for them to understand us! My grandmother included! (but she has come around!)
I think there CAN be a link between ADHD and Anxiety disorders though as I am proof.
As a child (around 5 I think) in approx 1974, I was diagnosed as "hyper Kenetic" --Todays ADHD-- and was put on ritalin. THe doctors stopped the meds when I turned 13 because "they no longer work once puberty hits." Of course the problems were still there, I was just expected to deal with it myself. I lived a pretty sheltered live so didn't notice the anxiety problems until I got more out into society. All my life I've had concentration problems-- I have trouble speaking or reading if there is loud talking, radio, or tv going on at the same time, I just can't concentrate. But once I hit late teens my anxiety kicked in and would manifest in SEVERE anger. Finally in my early 20's I was properly diagnosed and treated! HOORAY!! After many guinea pig medication trials, I've found Effexor XR just right for me.
I think my anxiety stems from my early life ADHD, and I really HATE that kids are being mis diagnosed as having ADHD when the child is just being a child! It makes it so much harder for kids with true attention/anxiety problems to be believed as needing help/meds. (Also when I tell people I have ADHD they think I'VE been mis-diagnosed or am just jumping on the current syndrome band-wagon! ;-/ )
Also now in my mid 30's I seem to have some OCD symptoms--like just the other day I actually pulled back into my drive, un-locked the house and made sure the cat was still on the bed and hadn't slipped out the door behind me when I left. All the while thinking "I know this is obsessive because I was watching and DID NOT see him run out." But checking made me feel better! Just think how I would be without the meds -- angry AND obsessive! "I'm angry and have to hit you exactly 14 times! Hold still!" -- SCARY ;-)
I still go into my times of self pity "why can't I handle lifes problems like everyone else?!?! Why can't I be normal?!?! But my husband doesn't let me stay there long!
I hope you have someone special that you can count on to help and support you through this, it truly helps. My husband took all my abuse yet he stayed by me and helped me. It was hard on him too, but he thought I was worth it. I hope you have such a person.
Geez I wrote a book! All this to say that Wayne, you ARE normal! Take care of yourself!
Nadine
P.S. I hope no-one was offended by my anger/obsession joke. I know violence is NOT a laughing matter, (I've been there!) however sometimes finding something to smile about in all the crap makes all the difference!
~~Happiness is an Attitude -- Med's make the attitude easier! ;-)~~
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Nadine, not offended at all! I know I have obsessive behaviors still, and ever since my daughter has done so well on Paxil, I've been kicking around the thought of trying to get some help myself, whether that be meds or the cognitive behavior therapy type of help. The thing is, I can FEEL it happening, and I know it's happening, and there are times I can let go of it, and times I have to just let it run it's course. Unfortunately, when I do that, I often lash out and hurt people in the aftermath. Sigh ... this thread has helped me a great deal, in ways I never thought possible. It's good we can see ourselves for who we are, and sometime we have to laugh about it.
Carol
Carol
Carol,
Yes that is the worst part, when you've "come down" and see the hurt and emotional pain you've caused! Boy I had trouble dealing with myself and self loathing after those times! But I did survive, and looking back, one of the hardest things was the first call to get help! Admitting to someone that you're (what you think is) a horrible/crazy person! I can only say to you: DO IT! DO IT! Make the call! You'll feel soo much better! Even better that you do know with this little thread!
Nadine
~~Happiness is an Attitude~~
Yes that is the worst part, when you've "come down" and see the hurt and emotional pain you've caused! Boy I had trouble dealing with myself and self loathing after those times! But I did survive, and looking back, one of the hardest things was the first call to get help! Admitting to someone that you're (what you think is) a horrible/crazy person! I can only say to you: DO IT! DO IT! Make the call! You'll feel soo much better! Even better that you do know with this little thread!
Nadine
~~Happiness is an Attitude~~
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Thank you Nadine!!!
Carol
Carol
icklemoley
Cathlete
When i'm in "mode" i know that my behaviour is irrational and silly, but the thought of not doing my rituals is sooooo strong that i get so het up and afraid that something bad will happen. I guess deep down inside i know nothing will, but its the thought. It really is scary. I used to count, touch things, (still do) and behaviour in an odd manner. Only my mum knew of these problems and i still don't think she even knows what OCD is...she just used to tell me off for switching the light on and off! lol She never knew the inner torment that would accompany. I think this kind of behavious starts when you come anxious about something, or worried, and then it takes a life of its own. The rituals are actually "a relief" beacause you can feel "normal" again once there over with. Until the next time and the next time ... etc...
W x
W x
candi
Cathlete
Wayne,
Sounds like you have unknowingly adopted OCD behaviors as a coping mechanicsm to help you deal with internal stress. As you said, the rituals are "a relief". The problem is, each time you repeat the ritual, you reinforce your coping mechanism. It is a vicious cycle, but one that has "worked" for you to keep your stress "pushed down".
x(
Sounds like you have unknowingly adopted OCD behaviors as a coping mechanicsm to help you deal with internal stress. As you said, the rituals are "a relief". The problem is, each time you repeat the ritual, you reinforce your coping mechanism. It is a vicious cycle, but one that has "worked" for you to keep your stress "pushed down".
x(