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 :( :(

Thanks ladies. Good plan, I will keep both plates spinning and see what options I am offered by CAMHS and then make a decision. Nervous about medication for all the obvious reasons, but trying to keep an open mind if it is considered. Perhaps viewing it as giving Josh some armbands while he learns to swim with CBT. Will see what happens over the next few weeks and will keep you all updated xxx

If you are offered treatment by CAMHS do try to get an idea how long it might be before it starts. Many CAMHS services have horrendous waiting lists and you may be being seen for a 'triage' appointment. I don't want to alarm you but that is the reality as CAMHS nationally is so horrendously overstretched. It may not be the case for you though, particularly if you describe how much the difficulties are impacting on your DS.
The other thing to keep in mind is that CAMHS may feel that your private therapy is sufficient for now and may not offer anything else...but equally they may.

Thank you Sealsong. The appointment is with a Psychiatrist apparently, so I assumed that meant we had skipped triage but maybe not. Thanks for pointing this out, I probably need to be armed with lots of questions when I arrive, if only my brain would work and I didn't feel so utterly defeated at the moment! Xx

Just checking your updates and sorry it's not progressing quickly.
Take care of your self, it sounds like you could do with some tlc too.

Hey ladies-update as promised. We finally had our appointment with CAMHS today (so it took about 5 weeks as an urgent referral). We met a lovely and very sympathetic Psychiatrist who spent 45 minutes of the hour just with me, taking history and details. He met DS briefly and chatted to him, but just a general chat to observe him, he never asked his about his 'bad thoughts' or rituals which I was a bit sad about. Anyway, he basically wanted to rule things like ASD and ADHD out I think via brief observation! He said tics come and go, and as DS only had one motor tic (not visible in the meeting -typical) that it's not bothersome enough to be of any concern but to watch for other tics. He didn't really take on the OCD discussion, instead recommending he speak with his broader team about 'talking therapy' for DS, which may take another 5-8 weeks before we get notification of an appointment for. He explained his role was more about medication, and we were both in agreement that DS was too young for that right now. He felt that tics and OCD are often anxiety related and talking therapy might lower anxiety and hence alleviate symptoms, so we are back on the next waiting list. He did prescribe circadin to help the night time wakening for now. So, not really massively further forward, and don't feel much better following that meeting. We are continuing private therapy with a clinical psych but have some reservations - no clear treatment plan, no real commencement of actual CBT as yet, more just sessions trying to get under DS's skin and figure out what's making him anxious, but I guess that needs to happen to build trust/understand him better before true CBT and ritual challenging commences given he is only 6. Hmm, feeling a bit lost. Any input greatly appreciated xx

Hello OP, just read your last update. Very sorry to hear it's not what you had hoped for. Unfortunately in my experience things to with a Mental health drag a lot on the NHS. They seem to drag it out as long possible, I think perhaps hoping the persons symptoms will improve and they won't have to move you on to the next stage.
DS is yet to make the waiting list for CBT, as the CBT contact suggested after 2hrs of discussing his medical history including intrusive thoughts, OCD, and development of emetophobia , felt he would benefit from attending local support groups so he knows, 'he is not alone' rather than putting him forward for CBT. That was last September! We've heard nothing about the local support nor CBT. Like you we went private in the end, as DS was crying and begging us to help him. So far he's had about 6 sessions.

If you are in a position to afford private then please go this route don't wait around for NHs but make sure you keep any appointment with CAHMS going so they know you're still in the loop and you can stop private at such a time.

How is DS now? Is there any waning in his symptoms?