hello everyone I'm a newbie!

[number4]

hello.   I am a newbie here. I would like to tell you a little about my situation and maybe some of you can give some advise. My daughter was diagnosed with ocd in july of this year(2006) She went to therapy and had 6 visits and the therapist said that would be her last visit. I told the therapist that she was still counting and having anxiety and the therapist said "unless it bothers her then we are done" she proceeded to ask my daughter if it bothered her and my daughter answered yes. The therapist still said that this was our last visit unless we should call her with a problem.She also went on to say that many people just have to live their lives this way. My daughter is 11 years old and I currently do not have her on any meds due to possible side effects. The therapist also said if I was to put her on meds her counting and anxiety would go away. I am very confused and worried as to what would be best for my daughter. How do I know what type of help she needs. I have read that only speacilized treatment for ocd works. What is this treatment and where do I find it. I live in the rocky mountains in colorado and large cities are far and few. Anyone with some advice or just a frienly face :happy0151:would really be helpful. Thank You from the newbie! Number4

[apple]

Hi there. I sent a PM to Kim, i dont know if she still comes here but I'm hoping she will get it and come here to help you out.  I have no experience in this area but it sounds frigthening and confusing.  I am sorry your so called therapist isnt helpful...sounds like a "you dont want to use meds so your wasting my time" attitude...which makes me angry.  Maybe another therapist would prove to be better anyway.

take care

[kimhix]

Hi newbie4,
I got your message, tried to send you IM message. Let me know if you did or did not get it. Kim

[number4]

I did get your message Kim. Thank You so much!

[kimhix]

Hi, me again, Kim.. I would look for a new therapist, if anything if you daughter finds it comforting to talk to him/her that would be beneficial. My Zack still counts, has the obsession to say the time when his watch beeps, he says "the time is 10:24 , thats it , it really is" has to say this twice each time....now he has the tics, getting more noticable. He has been at an all time worse behavior, horrible, high anxiety at night, raging...probably new med doc tried him on. I want you to go to www.truehope.com and read about this product, was written about in a new book Natural Remedies for Touretts disorder, the supplement is all natural, minerals, called EMPower, one mom wrote in and had a message and i swear I thought I wrote it myself about Zack, anyway, it helped, tremendously, and many, many other people. It almost seems like one of these "can't be for real things" but I am very hopeful. REad the case studies posted, read the research...it would be worth a try before going to traditional meds that can cause some of the horrible side effects we have endured. Good luck. Kim

[number4]

Thanks to Apple for refering me to someone that can help!

[apple]

That makes me soo HAPPY!!

[Janey]

Hi Number4,

Welcome!!

I suffer OCD and anxiety and have found that meds are good for my anxiety but a waste of time (personally) for the OCD.  I am looking into therapy as i feel that is the best option. I also find reassurance from someone i trust is helpful for alot of things.

My the sounds of it you need to start searching for a new therapist.

Hang in there she sounds like a lucky girl to have a mother who cares so much.

Janey

[number4]

Hi Janey,
             Thank You for your response. Could you fill me in on the meds, do you have any side effects? I would like to be able to offer my daughter something that will help with her anxiety, my only worry is the bad things I hear about these meds. I personally do not know of anyone taking these and if I am just over reacting to the few things I have heard  of the meds. I would appreciate your thoughts on the meds. It is also nice to talk with someone who has ocd, it can be very frustrating when no one understands what your even talking about. I am not sure how long someone should have therapy, however in my daughters case, I thought we were just getting started. I was blown away when I found out that would be our last session. There is a doctor (psychologist?) at the same clinic, but I am not sure if I should see him or not. This is the only mental health clinic in the county. He might be more familiar with ocd than the therapist was???? Not sure where to turn. In a few months we will be covered in 4 foot of snow at all times and a trip to Denver once a week or so will not be possible. I think I will try the doc here to see how that goes, don't know what else to do?! She needs help and I have to find some possible way to provide that for her. I have read that with medication and special therapy for ocd it really helps. The therapy seemed to help, I think with my daughter just telling us and a therapist about it really helped. She knows that her family still loves her just the same and she is not any different than many others who have ocd and anxiety. My daughter counts continously on her fingers. 4 is her number. She will also tap her foot. If she chews gum she must chew 4 times on one side and 4 times on the other. She also must touch things with both hands. I have also read that this may change. She does not sleep well and maybe the meds will help her with that? It is a scary situation, but if I stand back and do nothing, will she ever get better?! So many questions, so little answers! I am just lost. I'm sorry if I'm rambling on and on. I really want to thank you and all the others for replying. I really am glad I found this site. Good Luck with Your Therapy Also! Thanks, Number4

[Janey]

Hi Number4,

I am on a medication called Luvox. The doc has told me it is given to a lot of people with anxiety and OCD. There are many side affects listed about this medication but they are precautions. I have only suffered a few side affects and they have pretty much faded in time, mainly insomnia, nausea and the shakes. If you google Luvox you will find many sites which explain the medication in detail. Also, try the OCD Foundation website (type that in google). I do know that this medication in used in children and adults and don't quote me on this, but i think mainly in children which should be a relief for you. You mentioned she doesn't sleep well, the doc prescribed me with sleeping tablets which i never used.  i was a bit sceptical at first to try meds, but they have helped enormously, but personally and everyone is different, i think for the OCD therapy is the way to go for myself. For the anxiety, i cannot remember when i last had an attack.

Hope this helps and if i have left anything out, please feel free to ask away, i am on here each day.

Janey

[cheryjeff]

Please take your daughter to a new therapist. I am a therapist and I would not tell a single client what your daugthers therapist said. Aparently she does not have the right person. Please look at a therapist that uses CBT this type of therapy can help with OCD.
Good luck and God Bless

[number4]

 I would like to thank everyone for their response. I have checked further into things and now have located a few doctors that treat ocd in children. I will be making my daughter an appointment soon and hopefully we will start seeing some progress in her symptoms. I will be travieling far at least once a week but it is needed in my daughters recovery. Again Thank You All So Much!!!! I will keep you updated on our progress. Number4

[Janey]

Number4,

So so so glad to see youare looking in to seeing someone!! 

I hope it all goes well and your daughter gets what she needs!!

Please do keep us posted on her progress and what sorts of exercises etc she uses to help her.

Good Luck!!

Janey