Just need a hand hold please!
Earlier this year dd age 7 started behaving strangely. She started having aggressive outbursts at home, scratching her hands til they bled, washing her hands every time I made any normal physical contact with her (eg cutting her nails) and at bedtime she had to have the blanket completely flat saying we had to kiss her goodnight an even number of times not an odd number. She also developed a fear of anyone seeing her "boobs" or underwear and wouldn't go out unless every inch of her was completely covered, even on hot days. She also started wanting to avoid her hobbies and birthday parties etc. and had occasional panic attacks at night about me or her dad dying.
We talked to her school and they said they hadn't noticed anything and weren't particularly helpful. I felt like they thought we were inventing a problem. We spoke to our doctor in the end who recommended a referral to camhs. The camhs appointment has finally come through months later. We have battled this ocd or whatever it is for months now and have made lots of headway. The clothes issue is still there but we have had to put our foot down and insist she can't wear long sleeves and tights on a hot day and she's starting to dress a little more "normally" although it's a battle. She's back to being more sociable and doesn't scratch herself anymore. We do have odd episodes of her losing her temper and hitting us but no panic attacks for months.
I was so close to cancelling the camhs appointment but I have kept it because I'm worried things could get worse again. I'm really worried about it though. I know she's going to hate going, clam up and I worry it could be raking over it all again and set her back when she's doing better. Is there anyone with experience of this who can advise? I just want someone to tell me I'm doing the right thing I guess!!