Teen DS developing obsessive behaviours

[Parry5timesbeforedeath]

I'd be so grateful for any advice.

My older DS is 16 and doing his GCSEs. He has ASD, ADHD, Tourettes. He also has a high degree of anxiety. Lately for some months he has developed an obsession with washing his hands. He walks around with gloves on all the time (except for school) and wears gloves to bed. If he touches anything he has to wash and wash his hands. One time I timed him washing for 7 minutes. We have a shared family bathroom and things have started getting really awful with screaming matches at home when DS1 is occupying it and his brother needs to get in etc.

I have had advice from the school and I have taken him to our GP surgery where he saw an ANP. She has referred him to CAMHS but there is a massive waiting list. He flat out refuses to see a private counsellor (even if I could find one who doesn't have a waiting list) and he refuses to engage with some of the support groups locally for teens his own age.

I'd be so grateful for anyone who has been in this situation for any info, hints, tips, etc.

Many thanks.

Medication? if he isnt on any you need to see the GP asap and ask for medication for anxiety. Sertraline is a very popular one that really reduces the intrusive thoughts that cause the compulsions. So sorry you're going through its, its tough, really tough.

I mentioned medication in our appointment- he's on ADHD meds which the ANP asked me about in that context- not sure if that rules out anxiety meds also? She did not go any further with that part of the discussion in any case.

(Actually, she was a bit dismissive of the whole thing and seemed to just find the idea of him walking around with gloves all the time a bit amusing and said that summer will sort that out. She's usually brilliant, but I was left feeling a bit... hmmm...... )

It is awful- I find it so distressing to see him and he says himself it takes up alot of his thoughts all the time.

Oh and just to add... we have spoken as a family about how arguments and slanging matches over occupying the bathroom doesn't help anyone. Work in progress.

Yes they can use adhd meds and anxiety meds together.

What's an 'ANP', you need to see a different clinician who knows what they are talking about. A young lad wearing gloves to bed because he thinks everything is dirty or will catch an infection is a sign of a very mentally unwell person and the clinician has no understanding of neurological disorders.

CBT also helps but as you've said, your DS doesnt want to engage with that, sadly.

I have ADHD medication (Elvanse) and anti-depressant (fluoxetine). However, I am a woman in my 50s, so recommendations might be different for a teenage male.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Our GP surgery has 3 GPs who work 3 mornings a week each and seem to rely on ANPs to actually run their practice for them. ANPs can prescribe meds and usually this one is really good and responsive- has been in the past anyway.

I'll go back. Otherwise there is a private clinic about 90 minutes from us which I have attended before when I was being fobbed off so might just book in there with a specialist.

What happens at school if he doesn't wear gloves and presumably he can't wash his hands every five minutes? What allows him to function there, is it just he knows he's not allowed so he doesn't? Is there some key to the difference between school and home?

just to add, teen DS with same conditons minus autism was on Concerta and Sertraline.

He masks and hides it at school. As he does with his autism and largely Tourettes as well. The school has been incredibly supportive tbh, I can't fault them. It's all done very subtly so he is not embarrassed which is a big thing for him. Before class his class teachers prop the room door open so he does not have to use the handle, and he is allowed to leave discreetly in the class if need be. He has been allowed access to the staff room disabled toilet for his own hand washing during classes or during the day and they have placed his preferred antiseptic wash in it. I was told they have a couple of children with this (although not who of course) and so they have some things in place. It mainly comes out at home when things have been building all day.

Thank you.