Anxiety or OCD should CAMHs be more specific?

[H0n3yB33]

My son has had a pretty shit CAMHs journey. Won’t bore you with it. Anyhow he is being treated for depression and anxiety with fluoxetine and beta blockers . It was clear that some pretty major complicated intrusive thoughts and anxiety were causing the depression. Started seeing a CP who discussed OCD,did CBT type stuff recommended books etc. Made progress, all good etc. She then abruptly left CAHMs. He has now been placed with a manager, gone down to fortnightly and she said she will get to know him and try a combination of approaches. Seems to be very different in approachHad a letter saying he’s being treated for anxiety.

Really confused and he is sliding so very worried as he was on the floor depressed before.

Should I ask for more clarity re a diagnosis and treatment plan?

I wouldn't worry too much about whether she calls it anxiety or ocd, but if the work was helping before and they were working with a specific treatment or model eg ERP, then really that needs to carry on so you could ask them to clarify the plan. Sorry he's had such a hard time and hope he continues to improve

I would def speak up in your son’s behalf- point out the progress he made and that he is going downhill now. My son has OCD from intrusive thoughts too-with anxiety with depressive episodes- unfortunately CBT did not work for him/ and it seems to be seen as a cure all for everything! You must really get on to the new counsellor and voice your concerns. I know they have always been stretched as a service. Good luck

Slightly worried as previous therapist was a Clinical Psycologist. He has now been passed to a manager who is an experienced counsellor. Surely the 2 are v different and shouldn’t he be continuing what he was doing before. New lady going to get to know him and will treat him accordingly apparently.Uses a variety of techniques . Well isn’t it all written down. He was at a very painful part of his treatment. They were going to park him whilst she cleared her diary for a space. I had to point out that dumping a previously suicidal, depressed and vulnerable teen just when you’ve started getting him to confront what is tormenting him isn’t that kind. So she saw him but his sessions will be reduced and she will be going her own thing. It’s such a mess. These intrusive thoughts are horrendous. He’s not at school. He started making progress on meds but the thoughts are very much still there with no improvement. He was just starting to unpick them.

New lady is saying he needs to learn how to manage the anxiety as will be moving to adult services in Sep. I know that. Thought what the CP was going was doing that.

Will ask for clarification but not sure how to word it.

So sorry you are going through this with your son.
My dd was under Camhs for 18 months. I ended up getting her a person centred counsellor privately.

She’d tried private cbt that was dreadful
IAPT with camhs weekly. She said it felt judgmental and she didn’t really feel she could be honest.

She still takes beta blockers but since finishing school she has improved.

I don’t have advice about OCD apart from understanding how debilitating it can be for the person as well as those loved ones that care for the person.
Really challenging and draining.
I hope you have time for self care also.