Consumer Health Forums

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right topic to post in. Mods please move this is not appropriate.

My 11 yr old daughter has been showing mild OCD symptons over the past few months. (Handwashing and irrational fears). We've had her to the GP and received a referral to a Shrink for assessment with a query OCD. We're awaiting an appointment.

She's been on the receiving end of bullying at school from classmates and the teacher in some cases. She's has a problem with keeping her mouth shut at times. We've informed the school of the referral and put them on notice that she has problems.

She's an articulate, very bright (straight A student), generous, generally polite and well behaved kid. Its incredibly distressing to watch her going through this. Also I'm finding it incredibly hard to talk through her repeatedly irrational fears without losing my temper. It seems to go in one ear and out the other.

Has anyone had experience in supporting an OCD sufferer?

I would welcome any suggestions, things to try, any suggestions for what to do to support her.

I'm sorry to hear this - my daughter was the victim of bullying earlier this year and it is a very worrying time for both the children and the parents. See here

What are the irrational fears she is displaying?
I assume she has been referred to CAMHS for a mental health assessment, regarding the OCD? Is there any indication what sort of therapy they will be using/recommending?

It is a difficult subject to understand and continue to be patient with, as unlike a broken leg or physical injury where you can see her pain and have an expected recovery time scale, the pain and fear she is experiencing is non visual to you, but is very real to her. This is when it becomes very frustrating for you, especially when a child is not able to communicate thier feelings effectively.

Is she an only child?
Does she hve many friends, and is she involved in many activities/social life outside of school?

Thanks for reply.

I'm fortunate that I get company provided Medical Insurance which covers my daughter and that this sort of treatment is covered. So rather than wait for an NHS appointment, we are awaiting an assessment appointment from a private psychiatrist.

She is constantly thinking that she is going to eat or swallow something and get diseased or poison herself. Because my wife is dieting and eating different food from the rest of the family she's accused my wife of trying to poison her. (and no her cooking is that bad...lol). She thinks there are germs everywhere and is constantly washing her hands (providing we don't stop her).

To answer the other questions

She is quite involved various clubs provided by her school. She attends Guides as well. She's the oldest of three children. She loves her sister and brother although she and her sister bicker constantly (don't all kids).

She does talk to both my wife and myself and has been good about communicating things with us re the bullying. That's what so distressing. She is getting these irrational fears that she keeps on about. We're fortunate that she has the brains to see the address the fears and concerns in a logical manner and that she can usually be persuaded to see them for what they are. However at times it goes in one ear and out the other. Its really frustrating.