Teen with OCD. Anyone else in similar situation?

[CaptainHatRack]

Hi, does anyone have a teen with OCD? DS (16) has been struggling for a while now. We’ve been seeing a Clinical Psych. for nearly a year but he really struggles- would appreciate any replies from people in similar situations. TIA

[RainbowsAndUnicorns23]

I have OCD. Was first diagnosed at around 14 years old. It's a horrible shitty illness. Is it CBT he is having?

[CaptainHatRack]

Hi RainbowsAndUnicorns23, yes it is. He’s been seeing a Clinical Psych. for nearly a year but he he really struggles with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). He’s had a really bad relapse (if that’s the word) since Christmas Day.
You’re right- it’s a horrible, shitty illness. How are you doing now?

[RainbowsAndUnicorns23]

Sorry I have only just seen your reply.

Did something happen Christmas day to trigger it?

ERP is so hard.

I am actually currently waiting to start counselling again, having my youngest and falling pregnant soon after has triggered it off again. Mine is contamination ocd.

[olivertwistwantsmore]

Was just coming on here to post about my 12yo ds. He has OCD relating to germs, cleanliness, stemming from emetophobia. It's getting worse and he can't say why. Has just started seeing a counsellor but I wasn't impressed with her - disorganised, faffy. Thing is, he won't challenge his own thoughts or even accept they're irrational, so I'm not sure what we can do.

He quarantines his school stuff when it comes home from school and makes everyone wash their hands after touching it. If we won't we're spereading school germs all over the house. He will choose his own cutlery. Asks me all the time if food is safe to eat. Touches wood - has to touch then things made of wood if he has a bad thought, Won't have friends round to the house. Has severely limited his social life because of his oCD. And it's affecting us too. HELP.

I've told him that nobody else is in his brain and he has to work to challenge his thoughts and see they're irrational but he just says I'm being cruel/don't understand how he feels.

Sympathy to others in the same boat. How do you deal with it? What are your dc's triggers?

[StrawberryJam200]

What really helped my 14 yr old DD to accept she had a problem, understand how therapy might help, and decide she wanted to seek that help, was a novel called “Am I Normal Yet?” by Holly Bourne. It helped me understand OCD too. It’s definitely not for younger children and quite girly, but there are other similar novels for teens, just google or ask a librarian.

[Mumshappy]

Dd 15 was diagnosed with ocd in 2018. She had and is still having cbt. She is also on 150mgs of setraline daily. The ocd is under control but now has a whole host of other problems. Sending love op xx

[BeetrootChi11i]

Help,me. Just started other thread. How do we support him until we find support?