Child OCD Help in South Wales

[DoesItEverGetEasier]

I’m pretty sure my DD11 has OCD, the signs have been there for years but we haven’t pushed for a label. This week she has developed a Tic and last night she told us that she does the routines she does because she thinks everyone will die if she doesn’t. I know she needs help now but I am a complete mess with worry. From what I have read getting the right therepy is essential and I’m worried in rural wales this will be difficult. Has anyone been through this and can tell me where to go and what to push for? Success stories of anyone also welcome.

The first port of call is your GP.

What sort of routines does she have are they really impacting her life to a large extent or can she lead a normal life with it at the moment.
It's probably the anxiety that is the worst.
Have you tried as she is old enough that it is her brain telling her to do this and she is unwell. That is why she is having these compulsions
OCD is a mental health issue but can be helped.
Definitely see the GP they may be able to prescribe something for the anxiety at least to start with.

If you would like some information on OCD look at the Speakmans videos on you tube.

Hi. I'm just starting this journey myself so no great advice here. I'm also in south wales. My daughter is 14 and her difficulties are with instructive visuals and thoughts. She has struggled for a while and they seemed to disappear but now they are back.

I self-referred to SPACE Wellbing a couple of weeks ago but prior to that OCD wasn't on my radar so not sure how far that will get. I dont know if this is an options for you? I'm in aneurin bevan health board area. I have lost faith in the nhs services so keen to here others expediences.

I also found this workbook for parents if it's any good to you...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Helping-Your-Child-Ocd-Obsessive-Compulsive/dp/1572243325

I’m South Wales and have experience of OCD and tics with my daughter. My first port of call was the doctor who referred us to the SPACE panel and we’ve had a lot of help through them. It’s been a tough 3 years but she’s learning to cope. We’ve also paid for a private child psychologist.

I really feel for you as it’s so tough to
see your child struggling. I suffer with OCD myself so have found it particularly triggering. Happy to help if I can.

Thanks to everyone that has commented. She has lots of ups and downs at the moment. Some days better than others but not sure if that’s how successful we are treading on egg shells.
@Hidingfromyouand @Tiredandwired2i don’t think I can access SPACE in Powys but thanks for the info I can ask GP if we have an alternative. Are your DD’s receiving ERP therapy?
@Tiredandwired2I would be interested to hear your OCD story too, I must admit this is all alien to me and I think I’m handling it badly because of that. In recent years I’ve worried about health and my children’s health but prior to that I have been fortunate not to suffer with much anxiety, which breaks my heart even more thinking my daughter is likely to battle this all her life. I hope your journey gets easier and I really appreciate you taking time to respond, makes a difference to know we are not alone.

@DoesItEverGetEasiersorry I didn't see this. I weren't sure if you mended @Hidingfromyouexprience living with OCD but you tagged me.

Im just starting this journey with my daughter and like you finding it hard to deal with. Hope you have been able to find some information to help

Sorry for the mixed tag.
We spoke to the GP who had done a referral but warned us that the waiting list is up to 2 years! I read an article this week about mental health support in wales being at crisis point, so not sure how much help we will get. We are just taking each day as it comes at the moment.

Wow that's such a long time. I'm not surprised though. I'm an occupational therapist and was working in children services and the waiting times were long and then families were given 6 sessions and discharged. I also experienced this with my son.

We had the result of our space wellbeing referral this week and the waiting list is 2-3 weeks which is amazing but it's more about building confidence, anxiety techniques etc. May be better than nothing but no good if it's OCD.

Im considering looking into private but know therapy is long and costly.

It’s really not great is it. I hope the wellbeing sessions help your daughter, will they at least be able to give you a diagnosis even if the treatment isn’t quite right?

We are also thinking of private, but as you said, it’s very expensive and I don’t want to start something if we won’t be able to continue it as long as it is needed and I am concerned that it’s a bit of a mind field to find the right specialist, could be paying out and get nowhere.

Hi @DoesItEverGetEasier just wanted to send support. Been there with my DC and it’s distressing to watch.

We paid for private therapy in the end as mental health services are shockingly shit.

Can I warn you though when getting therapy for OCD make sure you find someone who specialises in OCD. The therapeutic response is very specialist.

Thanks @BlueOceanFishappreciate it. Hope your DC are doing better now?
this is what I worry about, I’ve read about ERP therapy for OCD, but can’t find many therapist that refer to it. I’m also a bit concerned about treating OCD without an actual diagnosis and not sure how we even go about getting a diagnosis.

@OP you have to get your dc a private clinical psychologist. Studies show the sooner therapy begins, the better the outcome. OCD is not something you can just sit and wait for 2yrs! That's a long time to be suffering. Try and get at least 6 sessions of CBT to start, then look at anxiety medication alongside which the GP can prescribe.