12 year old anxiety and compulsive behaviour

[Mollieben1]

My soon to be 13 year old son is getting increasingly anxious and this has now moved on to compulsively washing his hands up to 20 times a day. The anxiety is new and started about 2/3 months ago. He constantly worries about touching things, germs, food making him ill etc... Ive rung the doctors - they can't speak to me until Aug 1st... I've rung the school (for the 3rd time in the last month..) and asked what they can do. She is ringing me back... My question is, what more can I do? Can the school refer to camhs? what will happen next? It seems like no one cares tbh - I'm just getting fobbed off left, right and centre and in the middle my previously confident, happy little boy is struggling. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

In our county you can self refer
www.norfolk.gov.uk/children-and-families/send-local-offer/health/health-services-in-norfolk/mental-health-services/point-1
Is there something like that where you live.
Is there a practice nurse even, 1st long way away.

We can't self-refer here (Somerset) I have checked. Apparently no one can speak to me before that....

I very rarely say this but I would just go to the surgery and beg and plead.

My dd was diagnosed with OCD earlier this year we were lucky and had health insurance and she had CBT and was back to herself within 3-4 months.

There will be other local families who have children with these issues - do some research and track down local groups and charities. Ask in local facebook groups, phone YoungMinds and see if they have local groups, contact Mind and just google children mental health locally. You’ll track down people who have had the same issues and who can help and support you.

Keep on for a GP appointment.... My DD (12 now) has OCD and the CBT has made such a difference. You could also look at going private - I had her on my insurance at work.

Update on this...
School organised weekly visits to the school nurse which she reported back that he was happy to talk about it and they had discussed some strategies for coping. However it is now school holidays so he only saw her twice. The phone call from the doctor never happened...I rang to enquire and was told that I could wait another 5 weeks for a phone call but couldn't see anyone as that was 'a last resort'. They have left a leaflet at reception for me. I did not take this information lightly and pushed for an appointment but they refused to give me one. It seems I have no choice but to go private now even though we will struggle to afford it. I am devastated at the lack of help and support for my son and not sure what to do next 😢

Is there another GP surgery you can change to. The “lack” of treatment ye have had is fierce.