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Original poster

Please can anyone recommend OCD help that actually worked?

58 replies

Suuudohnym · 09/02/2026 08:06

Teen has seen an online psychiatrist and therapist in the past - neither really got to the root of the problem.

She has the type of OCD where she has to repeat rituals to feel “right”. She’s not yet at the stage where she can’t go to school/leave the house etc but it is getting worse and I don’t want it to come to that.

She’s feeling really anxious at the moment (I’m sure upcoming GCSEs don’t help) and is in tears as she just couldn’t feel right this morning.

We have private healthcare - who can I take her to in the SE/London who can really help her? Please help 😔

OP posts:
GreyGranite · 10/02/2026 08:35

Sertraline. My child did years of therapies and nothing worked. One she was on the meds the cbt kicked in. Life changing.

itsallbullshit · 10/02/2026 08:54

Suuudohnym · 10/02/2026 07:25

Thank you all so much. I’ll try to address all suggestions.

Where did you all get neurofeedback therapy?

DD says she is possibly open to meds - when people say it gets worse first on drugs, how do you mean?

Yes, that’s the issue we’ve found with private - quicker access which is great but there are no recommendations as to which therapist you should try. I’m going to book a GP appointment to see if they can give some guidance - hoping they can recommend somewhere I can access privately (ie quickly). Would the GP prescribe meds or would that have to come from a therapist?

Just sent you a PM x

Original poster
Suuudohnym · 10/02/2026 09:54

Shrinkhole · 10/02/2026 08:31

Might be best to see a private CAMH psychiatrist first and they can prescribe meds and suggest therapists that they work with.

So do you mean go through my private health and ask for a psych who works with CAMHS?

OP posts:
WaitingForMojo · 10/02/2026 16:15

Suuudohnym · 09/02/2026 14:54

Just catching up on posts - disappointed to see that people don’t rate The Priory as I’ve been in touch with them this morning just to make initial enquiries.

@WaitingForMojo sorry to hear about your DD. It’s so hard isn’t it - why can’t they just be kids and not tortured by their own minds.

Do you mind me asking how you got to be seen at The Maudsley - I’ve been looking for details online and I’m getting all sorts of different sites/contact details. I’ve sent an enquiry to a general address but I’m not sure it’s right. Do they offer private care?

It was via NHS Camhs for us.

RobinTheCavewoman · 11/02/2026 11:19

Suuudohnym · 09/02/2026 22:48

I did think that…but didn’t want to offend the PP (sorry PP).

Show quote history

Not offended at all - we approached them in desperation and they've turned my son's life around so recommend them.

Everything they advise is based on tests (urine and cheek swab). My son had OCD traits but no diagnosis (among other issues). After a few months taking their recommended supplements, the bedtime routine as just one example is down from 2hrs plus with various rituals to a couple of minutes and a quick hug.

So worth every penny for me (that's just one of several positive changes we experienced). Their focus is on treating the root cause through supplements (and nutrition although we haven't focused on that) rather than an SSRI sticking plaster.

Shrinkhole · 11/02/2026 17:47

Suuudohnym · 10/02/2026 09:54

So do you mean go through my private health and ask for a psych who works with CAMHS?

Show quote history

Sorry I meant ask your private health insurance to see a consultant specialising in child and adolescent mental health first and then take their recommendation on a therapist rather than trying to get a therapist first. Doesn’t have to be one who also works for the NHS although most do a bit of both.

Rainever · 11/02/2026 18:09

We saw privately a mental health nurse consultant who worked within a clinic that has an overseeing prescriber and my 13 yr has been on setraline for a year. She was started on a low dose and gradually increased but we came back down a dose to stabilise. It stopped her spiralling to give time to then work on changing environmental inputs. CAMHS refused twice to help because she also has AuDHD. The GP refused shared care so we have to pay in total around £1k pa for the monitoring video apts and prescriptions, but if still needed at 18 it will be covered under the nhs again! Honestly getting help is so so hard but she’s doing a lot better now. I hope you can find some support to help, it’s never a magic wand but meds can help provide to the headspace to then work with other therapeutic help.

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