mo2 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 For a child? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 When it starts to interfere with daily life. It may sound like a flip answer, but I don't mean it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 When it starts to interfere with daily life. It may sound like a flip answer, but I don't mean it that way. You're answering all my questions lately. :) I guess I would say it is interfering. But the problem is, the parents are divided on whether or not to seek treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 OCD is tough to treat. usually, the goal is management of symptoms rather than "cure". sooner rather than later can have much better results for learning to manage the symptoms, and to help identify triggers and come up with strategies for managing symptoms. middle ground between parents: it might help if the parents went to see someone to see if they can help you identify if there are any triggers to the OCD behavior that you might be able to manage and then learn to help the child manage. and to give the dissenting parent more info.... establishing a regular household routine can help a lot, too. and less media and more outdoor time helps most folks, too.... of course, ymmv..... its hard. i'm sorry. :grouphug: ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 When it starts to interfere with daily life. It may sound like a flip answer, but I don't mean it that way. This. But it IS hard when the parents aren't on the same page. I can say from experience, though, that getting appropriate treatment will make EVERYONE's life easier and happier. Ds and I were just reminiscing the other day about when he HAD to touch things only in even numbers, and could not feel safe in a new room until he knew where all the electrical outlets were, and sat and chewed his shirts into swiss cheese every day because all the chaos of life made him so anxious. SO glad not to be there anymore. Or the handwashing. Or the obsessive perfectionism and inability to move past a mistake, or something crooked. Gah! Just thinking about it stresses me out. Life without out of control OCD is SO much more pleasant. I wish we'd been able to find appropriate help before it escalated that far. I know I don't have a vote in your scenario, but if I did, I'd say if you can GET help, take it and RUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 OCD is tough to treat. usually, the goal is management of symptoms rather than "cure". sooner rather than later can have much better results for learning to manage the symptoms, and to help identify triggers and come up with strategies for managing symptoms. middle ground between parents: it might help if the parents went to see someone to see if they can help you identify if there are any triggers to the OCD behavior that you might be able to manage and then learn to help the child manage. and to give the dissenting parent more info.... establishing a regular household routine can help a lot, too. and less media and more outdoor time helps most folks, too.... of course, ymmv..... its hard. i'm sorry. :grouphug: ann Actually, that is not true. OCD can be very manageable. It is not singularly caused, and many causes respond well to medicine, therapy, support, and help. I think withholding seeking treatment is on the scale of medical neglect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Do you have a dx for the child? If you suspect OCD, I would get him in for an assessment. If he gets a dx of OCD then I would start exploring treatment options, starting with therapy first and medication as a last resort, depending on the dx. ETA: Joanne is correct. OCD is very manageable. Edited January 10, 2012 by Audrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Where do you get a diagnosis? At this point it is a strong suspicion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Actually, that is not true. OCD can be very manageable. It is not singularly caused, and many causes respond well to medicine, therapy, support, and help. hey joanne - can you source this for me? i've been at this a long time and in my knowledge and experience, while OCD can be managed, a "cure" is rarely an option.... or maybe i didn't say what i meant clearly enough? thnx, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 hey joanne - can you source this for me? i've been at this a long time and in my knowledge and experience, while OCD can be managed, a "cure" is rarely an option.... or maybe i didn't say what i meant clearly enough? thnx, ann Ann, OCD manifests for a variety of reasons. Many of those reasons respond to meds, to therapy, to support. Are there individuals with OCD who find minimal help and no "cure?" Of course, but I can't agree with your first reply in this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Where do you get a diagnosis? At this point it is a strong suspicion. You should start with your primary medical service provider, whether that is a pediatrician or family doctor. You should tell them your suspicions and be able to explain why you suspect it. Your doctor should then be able to give you a referral to the appropriate specialist or service that would do a formal assessment. One can still seek treatment without a dx, but having a formal assessment gives subsequent care providers crucial information that is very helpful in determining appropriate treatment. It is also good to have for peace of mind, and if it is not OCD, then you have a foot in the door to find out what it is that is wrong. ETA: When I say you can still seek treatment w/o a dx, I mean therapy. If meds are necessary, it would be difficult to get appropriate rx without a proper dx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Ann, OCD manifests for a variety of reasons. Many of those reasons respond to meds, to therapy, to support. Are there individuals with OCD who find minimal help and no "cure?" Of course, but I can't agree with your first reply in this thread. Just to tag on to this... OCD is manageable. That is what Joanne (and I) said. Manageable isn't to be equated with "cure." Personally, I don't think there is a cure, but it is certainly very manageable. I rely mostly on therapy and the behavioural and coping mechanisms learned through that. Meds are a very, very rare thing for me, but that does not apply to all people with OCD. Everyone's mileage will vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 You can get a diagnosis from any qualified mental health professional: could be a social worker, psychologist, counselor, etc. The person who does the diagnosis is usually the one who treats, but not always. (Depends some on the practice.) If the child needs meds in addition to therapy, you will need a physician of some sort--your pediatrician might be comfortable prescribing and managing the meds, or you could go to a psychiatrist. Because of expense, I would not seek out a psychiatrist as the first option for diagnosis and treatment. I would look for a cognitive behavioral therapist with experience with children. For the reluctant parent: sometimes reluctance is because of not understanding what the therapy is like. It is not "lie on the couch and tell me your troubles" kind of therapy. It is a skill building therapy--teaching the child how to use relaxation techniques, etc. to manage the symptoms. Parents need to be involved with young children so they can reinforce at home. It is also not a forever therapy. Expect it to last an average of about 6-8 months. Stop Obsessing by Reid Wilson is a self-help book for adults with OCD based on cognitive behavioral principles. You could check out a copy at your library to see what the therapy is like. I do NOT recommend trying to apply it to your child yourself. Having OCD is emotionally and socially painful. That's the best reason to get your child help. With sudden onset of OCD, you need to look into the possibility that it is strep-induced. You can google PANDAS on the internet or even on this board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 You can get a diagnosis from any qualified mental health professional: could be a social worker, psychologist, counselor, etc. The person who does the diagnosis is usually the one who treats, but not always. (Depends some on the practice.) If the child needs meds in addition to therapy, you will need a physician of some sort--your pediatrician might be comfortable prescribing and managing the meds, or you could go to a psychiatrist. Because of expense, I would not seek out a psychiatrist as the first option for diagnosis and treatment. I would look for a cognitive behavioral therapist with experience with children. For the reluctant parent: sometimes reluctance is because of not understanding what the therapy is like. It is not "lie on the couch and tell me your troubles" kind of therapy. It is a skill building therapy--teaching the child how to use relaxation techniques, etc. to manage the symptoms. Parents need to be involved with young children so they can reinforce at home. It is also not a forever therapy. Expect it to last an average of about 6-8 months. Stop Obsessing by Reid Wilson is a self-help book for adults with OCD based on cognitive behavioral principles. You could check out a copy at your library to see what the therapy is like. I do NOT recommend trying to apply it to your child yourself. Having OCD is emotionally and socially painful. That's the best reason to get your child help. With sudden onset of OCD, you need to look into the possibility that it is strep-induced. You can google PANDAS on the internet or even on this board. :iagree: Great post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) I think the earlier you can intervene the better. So I'd seek treatment as soon as I saw OCD in a child if I could. The help, though, needs to be a cognitive behavioral therapist who works with OCD because the treatment is different than for other anxiety disorders. The OCD Foundation (online) has a section to get lists of cognitive behavioral therapists who specialize in OCD in your area. They will list if they specialize in children too. You want someone who "does" OCD. If they do kids and OCD all the better. They have some information here on recognizing it in kids as well. Edited January 10, 2012 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeker of Schole Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 ASAP. Get the child looked at and an official diagnosis, then the help that is needed. My husband went diagnosed for 20+ years (his parents never got hime help) and it almost cost our marriage. It wasn't until I put my foot down that he finally got the help he needed, and now has tools to manage it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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