[mamajennifer]

My 7 year old has made a few comments lately that make me wonder if I'm looking at OCD down the line. She has said at least 3 times in the past month some variation of the statement that she wishes people wouldn't talk because when they do she has to take the last word they say, count the letters, and figure out if it is odd or even.

The first time I didn't think much of it. We all have quirky habits, right? The second time, 2 thoughts hit me - that she HAS to do it and that it's something that bothers her. The 3rd time, a couple days ago, I asked her if she'd ever just tried not to count the letters and she said yes but it makes her head hurt and makes her feel like she's going to throw up. This worries me. Later that night she said she'd tried during the day at school not to count the letters and found that if she recites math facts in her head instead that works as well, without causing physical distress.

So is this OCD-type behaviour, or just typical kid weirdness? Her paternal g/mother is on meds for bipolar and OCD, and maternal g/father for bipolar and schizophrenia, so it's not like she's got the best genepool to work worth, poor kid, so I know I tend to worry too much. But I figured this was a good place to ask, before running to our mostly useless pediatrician. The one who told me my (multiply diagnosed autistic) son was not autistic at all.

 

[Annalisa84]

That definitely sounds like an OCD thing, or at least a compulsive thing. It would be something to bring up with a developmental specialist or a trusted professional, to ensure your DD gets help--there are med-free ways of managing.

 

[Labyrinth]

It definitely sounds like an obsessive compulsive behavior. Given that your son is diagnosed with Autism (which is associated with OCD), and that you have a family history of mood and anxiety disorders, means that your DD is at high risk.

Do you need a referral for a specialist? I would suggest considering an evaluation by a child psychologist if you can have it covered. I wouldn't want to see it spiral into full blown OCD. Cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy can really help these kids. Some people with OCD respond really well to SSRI medications (which, for a kid with OCD who hasn't responded well to therapy I trully think the benifits of an SSRI can outweigh the risks).

I would also suggest trying a fish oil supplement if she doesn't eat fish at least twice a week. It is suppose to really help with optimal brain function. Good luck!!!

 

[lovbeingamommy]

This does sound like the beginnnings of a possible OCD issue. I have severe OCD so am very well versed in it. Honestly, a pedi is most likely a wasted visit. If possible I would schedule an appt. with a child neuropsychologist is you can find one in your state. They are experts at diagnosing and dealing with this sort of issue.

If you'd like PM what state you're in and I can check with my neuropsychologist and see if she knows of anyone good where you are at. Ocd does tend to show up in childhood or in the early 20's and if you DD truly does have this...believe me it is sooooooo much better to deal with it now raither than later as the faulty connections that are made in the brain are harder to undo the longer they are allowed to continue.

Good luck and let me know if I can answer any more questions.

 

[mustangtbn]

It could be an issue, it could just be a quirk. Maybe it could be OCD, but maybe mild enough that it wouldn't cause her issues. I'd say it's worth checking out, but not worth worrying about. I have enough OCD-type quirks that I've wondered on occasion whether I actually have OCD, but (aside from getting annoyed by them when I was young because I realized they weren't "normal") they don't negatively impact my life, so I've never bothered with diagnosis/treatment. When I was 7, I began feeling the need to do any repetitive tasks in numbers corresponding to my age. To this day, I still do that.

 

[lovbeingamommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustangtbn It could be an issue, it could just be a quirk. Maybe it could be OCD, but maybe mild enough that it wouldn't cause her issues. I'd say it's worth checking out, but not worth worrying about. I have enough OCD-type quirks that I've wondered on occasion whether I actually have OCD, but (aside from getting annoyed by them when I was young because I realized they weren't "normal") they don't negatively impact my life, so I've never bothered with diagnosis/treatment. When I was 7, I began feeling the need to do any repetitive tasks in numbers corresponding to my age. To this day, I still do that.

I would also agree with this above post. Basically, she's exactly right, OCD can be thought of as an issue that is on a continuum {----------------} with the left being minor, to moderate, to severe. My psychologist and psychiatrist have said that if OCD becomes so time consuming and debilitating that it's tending to get more on the evere side. So, with that said, I would still get an evaluation to get it checked because it's a misery to treat once it gets to the debilitating stage, believe me, I speak from experience. It's taking all I have to get better...but I will because I will have at least one more baby and I can't be on these meds while TTC'ing. So that's what motivates me a lot

 

[UptownZoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovbeingamommy I would also agree with this above post. Basically, she's exactly right, OCD can be thought of as an issue that is on a continuum {----------------} with the left being minor, to moderate, to severe. My psychologist and psychiatrist have said that if OCD becomes so time consuming and debilitating that it's tending to get more on the evere side. So, with that said, I would still get an evaluation to get it checked because it's a misery to treat once it gets to the debilitating stage, believe me, I speak from experience. It's taking all I have to get better...but I will because I will have at least one more baby and I can't be on these meds while TTC'ing. So that's what motivates me a lot

I agree with this 110%. OCD-like symptoms shouldn't be a wait-and-see sort of a thing because they're much, much, much easier to treat in their earlier stages. You want to treat early and aggressively, so the neural pathways that the obsessions and compulsions are building don't have a chance to get strong.

OP, not to be overly dramatic or anything.

I certainly don't want to scare you, and chances are very good that your DD will not develop full-blown OCD. It's just not something I would take any chances with, esp. considering that OCD is one of the MOST treatable of all the mental differences that exist in humans. And I think you're already on the right track, listening to your daughter and taking her seriously.

My saddest wish in life is that someone had taken my symptoms seriously right from the beginning. That said, it might not have done a whole lot of good even if someone had. The treatment and medication options available now are light years ahead of what they were when I was first symptomatic in the late 70s and early 80s.

 

[mamajennifer]

You all have confirmed what I was thinking. Thank you. I live in central Oklahoma, and would love any referrals or suggestions for doctors to take her to. I'd much rather find out now if this is what we're dealing with and get it under control now than have her end up like her poor g'mother who can't leave the house without completing an hour long ritual first.

 

[lovbeingamommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamajennifer You all have confirmed what I was thinking. Thank you. I live in central Oklahoma, and would love any referrals or suggestions for doctors to take her to. I'd much rather find out now if this is what we're dealing with and get it under control now than have her end up like her poor g'mother who can't leave the house without completing an hour long ritual first.

Yeah, I'm on MDC again, but OCD is near and dear to my heart and right now in the mist of my severity I am writing daily in a journal which will hopefully someday be an e-book/printed book- all based from a patient's perspective. What the general society doesn't understand is that OCD is a disease and we cannot control what we do. I swaer if people tell me one more time to "just stop it" I'll scream. Just yesterday I had my whole family made a visit to my psychologist to ask questions and develop some understanding.

Anyhow, I did think of a few more things to share with you. First off a website: http://www.ocdfoundation.org This should give some additional basic information that will be good. Secondly, I am writing a note to speak to my neurospychologist next Thursday when I see her about finding someone in your area. I will PM when I have any info. Lastly, I do know that if it is infact OCD it is treated a little differently in children under 23 than in those over 23. It has something to do with the limbic system (I think that's the part) of the brain, logical part, that doesn't come completely on-line at least until that time. At least that's how my psychologost explained it to me. So they deal with it a little differently. Which would be a great reason to find someone that would have a lot of documented experience in dealing with children and OCD. Ok, that's all I can think of now. I'll send PM next Thursday evening.

 

[bjorker]

I just wanted to give you some BIG BIG hugs, mama.

Not only for this specific question, but I know what it's like to be so aware of every little thing because of mental disorders in the family, and it can be so exhausting! I have all of those same things in my family, and it affects all of us so much.
You're an awesome mama for really listening and being so in tune with your kids.

 

[supervee]

Your DD is very self-aware to work on strategies for making the headache go away. Good for her!!

I did a lot of counting (mostly steps) when I was 4th-6th grades b/c of a lot of school/peer stress. It was painful. Yes, I would recommend getting her evaluated and some help. Good luck to her for fast, effective treatment. Also see if there is any stress going on at school or somewhere that you can alleviate...stress makes it worse.