Upsetting thoughts and compulsions in 11-year-old

[CharismaticMegafauna]

My 11-year-old daughter recently keeps getting distressed because she says her brain is telling her to do things she doesn't want to do. She told me that her brain keeps telling her that something bad is going to happen either to her favourite cuddly toy or someone in her family unless she does certain things, such as shaking her head 8 times or moving her hands in a certain way a particular number of times (it has to be an even number). She says it's distracting and she'll get these thoughts whatever she's doing, both at school when trying to concentrate on work and when doing activities she enjoys, like horse-riding.

I don't know if it's related to her general anxiety about growing up, as she has said for a while now she keeps feeling sad because she wants to be seven again and doesn't like the thought of going to high school in September. The school are aware of this anxiety about growing up and have been doing some one-to-one sessions with her. She's also awaiting an assessment for autism. I'm just wondering how best to support her in the meantime.

[myoldmansadustman9]

I would start by going to the GP

[darkmodeera]

So sorry to hear this about your daughter struggling so much. I'm glad she's due an autism assessment. I had similar as a child and it got misdiagnosed as OCD only, but it turned out I was autistic with adhd when I got later diagnosed.
I hope you can get help soon OP!

[Pullingmyhairout2023]

@CharismaticMegafauna

My 11-year-old daughter recently keeps getting distressed because she says her brain is telling her to do things she doesn't want to do. She told me that her brain keeps telling her that something bad is going to happen either to her favourite cuddly toy or someone in her family unless she does certain things, such as shaking her head 8 times or moving her hands in a certain way a particular number of times (it has to be an even number). She says it's distracting and she'll get these thoughts whatever she's doing, both at school when trying to concentrate on work and when doing activities she enjoys, like horse-riding.

I don't know if it's related to her general anxiety about growing up, as she has said for a while now she keeps feeling sad because she wants to be seven again and doesn't like the thought of going to high school in September. The school are aware of this anxiety about growing up and have been doing some one-to-one sessions with her. She's also awaiting an assessment for autism. I'm just wondering how best to support her in the meantime.

Hi I have a daughter age 11. Always been a bright, caring, kind girl.
well right now I actually am at my
wits end with her.
she does nothing for herself, she wants all
the latest skin care trends, but doesn’t use them I think they are now just for show.
Every single morning she splashes water over her school clothes because her brain is telling her that she must do that, some
form Of cleansing ritual! She does this all over her self including the the poor dog gets it now as well.
we now resorted to a child therapist. Yes this has now stopped thank goodness. Now we have she won’t go anywhere after school, she ‘HAS’ to
go straight home and have a shower and
no clean school clothes are allowed in her room or she’ll flip!!! Her attitude towards me is rotten to the core. So upsetting. Her dad is at his wits end. She has started her period now and we were hoping for some normal hormonal balance now. Well it’s worse than ever!! I lay in bed last night overthinking.
sadly she has also picked on kids that seem
week or younger. She is horrible… she takes no responsibility for her own actions and blames everyone else. We’ve removed gadgets,
doesn’t work, we’ve encouraged family time, mall, dog walking invite friends round to play in the pool. She doesn’t want to do any of it. She won’t invite friends round. We have a lovely home, we are honestly at our wits end!!!! She said she hated me
last night! And I’ve ruined her life… she is 11!!!!

[CharismaticMegafauna]

That sounds really tough.

Did the therapist help much? DD has an autism assessment in March but they are only allowed to assess for autism and cannot say anything about mental health.