[rossos]

My concern is my daughter's OCD. She has been diagnosed with this illness together with mild psychosis because of the 'voices' telling her to carry out her rituals. She currently sees a psychologist, but my daughter knows that her only 'solution' is medication. But she refuses to consider this option. My daughter has the fear of Karma. She can't say or think bad of someone or karma will get her back. She constantly has bets with herself. If she's playing a ball game, she'll say things like 'if I miss this shot then I'm going to die during surgery' (she's having her wisdom teeth out in a few weeks). Even if she gets it in, she performs a ritual like knocking on her head. Any negative thought or intrusive thought, she must knock on her head. If she says anything bad about someone, she'll knock and say stuff over and over, like "I didn't mean to say that, I only meant ..bla bla..... I take it back, I take it back" whilst knocking the whole time. This could take up to half an hour at a time, with one issue only. She could be snuggled in bed and the thought to knock will come into her head and she can't sleep unless she sits up and knocks all the negative thoughts away. She constantly washes her hands, she thinks she has AIDS and has had a blood test to prove to herself she didn't. Mind you she is a virgin and does not inject drugs of any kind. She believes if her periods are late by even one day, the thought of 'what if I'm pregnant' enters her head. She believes she's going to die at 39 because that's the first number that came into her head when she thought of death. My daughter is 19 years old. It is exhausting for her, but at the same time, I as her mother feel helpless not being able to help her.

[Pup]

I can totally relate to most if not all of this, being an OCD sufferer.

The thing is, medication is not the only thing that can help this. CBT is very good, therapy in general, but CBT works wonders for most if not all people who have OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy is also brilliant - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposur...nse_prevention (info for you)

I think you're a wonderful mother for being so caring and noticing this and actually wanting to do something about it. You love her, and care for her, and of course, must worry for her. You are a wonderful mother. I'm sure many would love for one like you. All you can really do is be there for her, and love her. She needs that, right now of all times, she is struggling, therefore being there as her mother and also friend, will most likely help her greatly. And I'm sure you're doing that already.

I would recommend that she continues to see the psychologist, and do bring up the OCD and just how severe it is... they may be able to help her in many ways, medication not just being the only option.

Good luck and keep us posted.

x

[rossos]

Just an update to the situation so far,

My daughter, Adriana is in her 10th week of therapy. The psychologist now has organised a psychiatrist appointment for Adriana. I know where this is going, and maybe the only solution to this dreadful illness taking over her mind....medication. Can anyone tell me who also have OCD, what difference can medication make to OCD? Does it work pretty much straight away or is there months and months of pills before any change occurs. Or if anyone else knows what other options are available to overcome OCD that does not include medication? At this stage, I'll appreciate any information

[ickydog2006]

I'm on medication for OCD and panic disorder. Zoloft has helped me a lot. Wellbutrin worked for me too, but I quit it because it changed 'me' too much. (I was later told by my best friend that I acted like a spunky cheerleader... sooooooo not me.) When I was in college the OCD got out of control for me and my doctor and T advised medication. The first two weeks I was really nauseous and dizzy from it, but after that the OCD got a lot better. It was definitely easier for me to manage my compulsions, although it still took a lot of strength and therapy to. Don't confuse meds with some wonder drug though. It doesn't make it all go away, it just lessens the pain enough to be able to work on it in therapy. I'm still in a daily battle to not give in to my anxiety/compulsions. And side effects haven't been easy to deal with either. As I mentioned before there was the dizziness. Also, I experienced fairly severe muscle tremors for the first three months. Another issue thats frustrating is my libido is pretty much nill (this may not matter for her now, but as a married woman it is extremely frustrating).
As said previously CBT and ERPT are very effective and you should discuss these options with her T.

Have you seen the show Obssessed on tv. This may help you to understand what she's going through a little better and also introduce you to these types of therapy and how they work.

I hope this helps some.

[dontknowhowtohelp]

What are CBT and ERPT therapy?

[Perna]

CBT is Cognitive Behavior Therapy: http://psychcentral.com/news/2006/10...elps-youth-ocd

ERPT is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy: http://www.erptherapy.com/

[coko27]

Originally Posted by ickydog2006

I'm on medication for OCD and panic disorder. Zoloft has helped me a lot. Wellbutrin worked for me too, but I quit it because it changed 'me' too much. (I was later told by my best friend that I acted like a spunky cheerleader... sooooooo not me.) When I was in college the OCD got out of control for me and my doctor and T advised medication. The first two weeks I was really nauseous and dizzy from it, but after that the OCD got a lot better. It was definitely easier for me to manage my compulsions, although it still took a lot of strength and therapy to. Don't confuse meds with some wonder drug though. It doesn't make it all go away, it just lessens the pain enough to be able to work on it in therapy. I'm still in a daily battle to not give in to my anxiety/compulsions. And side effects haven't been easy to deal with either. As I mentioned before there was the dizziness. Also, I experienced fairly severe muscle tremors for the first three months. Another issue thats frustrating is my libido is pretty much nill (this may not matter for her now, but as a married woman it is extremely frustrating).
As said previously CBT and ERPT are very effective and you should discuss these options with her T.

Have you seen the show Obssessed on tv. This may help you to understand what she's going through a little better and also introduce you to these types of therapy and how they work.

I hope this helps some.

Hey did they took obssessed off cause it does not play for me no more love that show it help me understood my ocd a lot better

[heathroe]

Originally Posted by rossos

My concern is my daughter's OCD. She has been diagnosed with this illness together with mild psychosis because of the 'voices' telling her to carry out her rituals. She currently sees a psychologist, but my daughter knows that her only 'solution' is medication. But she refuses to consider this option. My daughter has the fear of Karma. She can't say or think bad of someone or karma will get her back. She constantly has bets with herself. If she's playing a ball game, she'll say things like 'if I miss this shot then I'm going to die during surgery' (she's having her wisdom teeth out in a few weeks). Even if she gets it in, she performs a ritual like knocking on her head. Any negative thought or intrusive thought, she must knock on her head. If she says anything bad about someone, she'll knock and say stuff over and over, like "I didn't mean to say that, I only meant ..bla bla..... I take it back, I take it back" whilst knocking the whole time. This could take up to half an hour at a time, with one issue only. She could be snuggled in bed and the thought to knock will come into her head and she can't sleep unless she sits up and knocks all the negative thoughts away. She constantly washes her hands, she thinks she has AIDS and has had a blood test to prove to herself she didn't. Mind you she is a virgin and does not inject drugs of any kind. She believes if her periods are late by even one day, the thought of 'what if I'm pregnant' enters her head. She believes she's going to die at 39 because that's the first number that came into her head when she thought of death. My daughter is 19 years old. It is exhausting for her, but at the same time, I as her mother feel helpless not being able to help her.

THIS SOUNDS JUST LIKE ME . I HAVE THE KARMA ISUES AND THE BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN THOUGHT AND THE NEED TO TAP OR SAY CERTAIN WORDS TO CONTERACT HAVING A BAD THOUGHT. YOU HELP HER BY BEING PATIENT BY LOVING HER AND BY MAKING SURE SHE TAKES HER MEDS TELL HER FROM ME THAT MEDS DO HELP.