OCD/Tics - my 6 year old boy

[babypup]

Hi,
Not sure quite how to write this or what I expect in terms of outcome, but I feel I need to share, get insight from other Mums, and basically let out a big cyber scream as I feel so incredibly helpless and lost.

My son is 6 (will be 7 in April 16). On his 4th birthday he started having eye blinking tics, these have come and gone over the last 2.5 years, with excitement/stress being a causal factor each time. These have concerned me as a stand alone issue, but I just came to accept it as 'his thing'....they never really morphed into any other tics, just the blinking. he has gone through phases of excessive urination and adjusting socks too. But they came and went with no issue. I worried they were other tics but now I'm starting to feel the whole thing might be OCD related.

Personality wise, he's always been a worrier. Likes to feel in control, know what's coming next but nothing particularly bothersome. He's bright, does well at school, has lots of friends etc.

About 4 months ago I noticed he liked things to be a certain way at bedtime. He wanted me to check his bed was tucked in tightly at the bottom, that his wardrobe doors were closed....but once completed he accepted that and went of happily to sleep.

Now, in the last 2 weeks our world has erupted with him in a way I cant even explain. He has been invaded by what he calls ' bad thoughts', these are linked to thinking about peoples privates, bad language. He wants to talk all day about his thoughts, confess the thoughts, it's like his mind has just exploded. In tandem with this the simple routine of tucking in his bed and closing his wardrobe doors is no longer enough. He now need to check these things 10 times, sort out other things in his room, worries about nightmares, won;t go to sleep and if one thing is not in order he goes absolutely crazy and screams.
During the last 2 weeks when this has escalated there have been some changes at home so I do feel there is a correlation, but am conscious that the roots were there before.

So, I'm guessing OCD, have booked an appointment with a private therapist/done lots of research. But I'm devastated at what seems to be the utter disintegration of the child I knew at warp speed. I'm frightened about what all this means, whether I can get this under control and what to expect. I am trying to hang on to any hope that I can find a way to help my little boy come home to me again as he's gone.

If anybody can relate, or has any words I would appreciate it :( :(

Melatonin arrived at pharmacy 2 days early, have it for tonight :) Lets hope it helps ladies xxx

Goid luck, really hope it helps and things are easing up ready for a more relaxing Christmas for you x

Thank you foragogo, I will keep you updated on the Melatonin and its effects on bedtime. Xx

Yay! Pls let know how it goes.

Just wanted to post to say that dd was like this for a long time, tics, long convoluted routines, panicking and stress over random things. She started secondary in Seotember and there's been a complete change in her personality, no more tics, she takes herself off to bed, she's still quite histrionic but only in the way that most 11yo girls are. I hope that gives you some hope for the future x

Thanks for your post FlameProofBoots. It helps to know this doesn't always point to a downward spiral, gives some much needed hope!

So, 3mg Melatonin worked well. I gave it to him at 6.30pm, and put him to bed at 7.30pm. He did all his normal 'checking' behaviors. Once confined to his bedroom/bathroom and now leaking into my room, the playroom etc. Then I went downstairs, he shouted a few times and boom, he was out. He never wakened until 7.30pm but was quite drowsy. As much as I don't like to give him this, as I feel it is only masking a problem, it is helping short-term to give him such much needed rest.

Over the past few days I have noticed a reduction in the amount of discussion around 'bad thoughts', significantly. It no longer seems to take up the whole day, and he seems less scared and confused. This was pre-melatonin. However there is an increase in the bedtime checking behaviors. I always thoughts the bad thoughts created the checking, so am unsure why we are seeing a reduction in obsessions but an increase in compulsions simultaneously. Is this usual? xx

That's good to hear that he slept better. Fingers crossed that it continues.

I'm so glad to hear the Melatonin worked. At least he and you will get a good rest now as tiredness could be making it worse. I hope someone who has more experience with OCD can answer your other questions, DS's is very mild it's the other things he struggles with more.

Just to add, when DS started having repetitive thoughts, the doctor said its like a 'tic' of the brain. So if I apply this theory, tics wax and wane. They usually start off quite bad, but then just when you start to think, 'I can't take this any more!", its start to decline/fade. So this could be an explanation but like I said hopefully someone else will come along with a better explanation.

Thank you Antimobiles, you could be on to something there. At the moment I am taking each day as it comes, although yesterday was better, I need to assume we may have some more bad days. The Melatonin is only masking a problem at bedtime which clearly needs to be addressed xx

Great news about the melatonin. I know my ocd tendencies get much worse when i get ivertired and cant "switch off" so even the increased rest its enabling might hekp overall. X

I'd say that OCD does get worse when you are tired. When you are less tired you can distract yourself from the internal monologue of distressing thoughts. When you are tired that distraction is harder to do. Anxiety certainly exacerbates it hugely. I'm free of the thoughts I had postnatally but I am still prone to anxiety especially if any of my kids are ill. I find myself repeating little rituals, ( doing things in the same order for eg) when the dc are poorly as it must make me need to feel in control of something when everything else is seemingly running amok.

Have you looked on the OCD Uk website? (Sure you have), it's got some good info on it. There is also an excellent book on the subject called ' The Man who Couldn't Stop' by David Adam. Probably a bit too intense whilst you are in the middle of this situation but it really does explain the mechanism inside the brain which is believed to cause OCD and the various ways we can gain control over our thoughts.

How's did last night go? Xx

Last night was much calmer again due to the Melatonin. He did do a few checking behaviors, but was less aggressive during them, more frustrated because he knows they make no sense (I'm guessing that's a good thing as it will help us rationalize with him when we get to start some CBT). Two nights of good sleep has made the world of difference. He is not talking about bad thoughts all day and everything being freaky. The odd random comment but generally during the day things seems (dare I say) normal?! x

That sounds really positive, hopefully turned a corner now & things will continue to improve.
Just out of interest, he's not on any other medication, like asthma meds or anything is he?

He's not on any other meds at all no. I have heard some people linking singulair to tics and ocd in the past. But not sure if the connection is proven xx

Was singular I was going to mention as my DS had a horrendous experience on it, anxiety, tics, depression etc.

Weird, I have no direct experience. However I had heard of the link having done so much reading on tics etc. I'm sure other parents have questioned the connection x

Well done for getting through another day. I hope ds continues to sleep well before proper treatment starts. Wishing you a relaxed Xmas. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I've just read your thread, and I just want to point out how brilliantly you've been dealing with the situation ( Your son will know deep down in his heart that you are trying to help and solve this awful time for him - he will see the love and support you are offering him)

I hope that you and your son get all the support you need and wish you both a peaceful and worry free Christmas x

Best wishes and keep us posted and I truly hope these awful thoughts will subside xx

Just wanted to say hold on in there OP. Your descriptions if your sons OCD take me right back to being a child with OCD myself. It does look like things are slightly better now in terms of treatment thank god.

OCD can come along with anxiety and depression too - iTs very difficult to say where one ends and the other begins.

I don't have the OCD side of it anymore just the depressive side which I can now control with medication (the same medication I was on as a child too).

Just brave yourself for the long haul and keep pushing for him. Don't be afraid to question - things in this area have changed so much and understanding is increasing all the time.

If he is given any medication it will likely take several weeks to take full effect and will likely need adjusting from time to time as well. Good luck !

Hope you have had a nice Xmas and DS is doing ok. X

Hope you had a nice xmas too. How are you all doing?

Hi there. We have managed through Xmas. Melatonin at bedtime has helped restore some sanity and provide much needed rest for us all. His OCD and thoughts during the day seem to have ebbed away for the most part, just the bedtime checking routines remain, but are tempered by the melatonin as when he goes up to bed he is ready for sleep and not as distressed. His eye blinking has returned with vengeance though, it always seems to appear around Xmas time, has done for the last 3 years. Excitement or stress, not sure. So generally things are much calmer but still very aware that things need addressed. Waiting patiently on CAMHS appointment. I just worry that the appearance of OCD point the the fact his blinking tic means Tourette's. He just hasn't had a host of different tics though, only blinking on and off for nearly 3 years. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign. I just know the two go hand in hand, but then my reading suggests often kids with OCD can be tic probe without having full blown Tourette's. Oh to have a crystal ball. I just wish I could enjoy him more rather than worrying all the time :( xxx

Oh to have a crystal ball indeed! This is anti mobiles by the way.
All you can do, all we can do is to take each day at a time. I worry about the future for ds all the time. But it can become all consuming to the point you cease from enjoying any day. None of us could have imagined out ds would have a neurological disorder never mind Tourettes or OCD or ADHD, but here we are.

Yesterday on the radio DS heard the news that a fertility clinc was screening against men with neurological disorders and there was a big debate about wether this was right or should be allowed.

Just come on here for support anytime you need, pls feel free to PM also. Just sharing experiences and a shoulder to cry on with people who understand is better than nothing at all.