Have an appointment to discuss Dd2's possible OCD

[nutcracker]

Some of you may remember me mentioning Dd's handwashing/sniffing/germ obsession before now.

Anyway g.p reffered her after a bit of persuasion and we have been given a one off 20 minute consulation appointment for 3rd June. This appointment is to point us hopefully in the right direction whilst we wait on the 12mth waiting list.

The letter says to come prepared, knowing specifically what we want help with as it's only 20 minutes long.

I am useless at appointments like this as it is, but with a set time limit like that I'll be falling all over my words the minute I walk through the door.

Any advice to keep me calm and help me get across what I want to say without repeating myself and forgetting everything ?

Meant to add the appointment is with a clinical psychologist.

Write it all down, Nutty, and hand it over when you go in. It'll be quicker that way and you won't get so flustered. Plus you can be sure that you won't forget anything.

Hope it goes OK.

Thankyou, they asked me on the phone what I wanted out of the appointment and I said that I needed some advice on how to deal with it and they said 'yes and what else '??

I had to say erm don't know , but i don't, i am clueless on this at the mo.

Am sure there is only so much they can tell me in 20 minutes too.

We are having to put cream on dd's hands daily now as they are so sore and cracked, they were even bleeding the other day.

I suppose as well as how to deal with it you must make it clear that you want referral as quickly as poss to next appropriate person. Ideas for way to monitor situation ongoing. Contact with support groups or info about useful websites.
Also, find your other posts on here and go through them to make up written list.
20 mins is a bit daunting!

All you're looking for, presumably, is a diagnosis and suggestions of treatment that your dd can try - I would have thought that's enough to be expecting for an initial consultation.

Just present them with a list of her obsessions and habits, even things that seem small in comparison to the big things, because sometimes with OCD the smallest little things can trigger off bigger things. Not walking on the cracks in the pavement, having to do things evenly on both sides of the body, that kind of thing, the sort of thing that on its own is innocuous but together with everything else builds up a bigger picture.

It shouldn't be up to you to have to decide what you want from the consultation; it's up to them to tell you where you go next.

Oh thats a good idea about my other posts Davros, thanks for that.

I don't mind that it's 20 minutes, i'd just rather they hadn't told me iykwim.

I don't think there is anything else she is obsessive about, it is mainly the germs, hands obsession.

She has a bit of an obsession about being Sharon Osbourne so I am just hoping that when she goes in and they say 'oh you must be ***,' that she says Yes and not 'no i'm Sharon Osbourne

Like you say though I just want pointing i the right direction and for someone to say 'when she does this, try doing that to distract her, stop her whatever.

How much information do they have already ? Could you send a description of her behaviour which is causing you to be concerned and detail any specific incidents and problems which the psychologist could read ahead of the appointment.

Then take along some poioints you'd like answers, reassurance and help on.

Also am I right in thinking that the OCD is only part of her behaviour issues, and that she can otherwise be difficult and defiant? It might be worth raising that as a side issue, in case there is something underlying it all.

As far as I know they don't have any info on her other than a little bit I had to fill in on a sheet they sent and what they asked me over the phone.

You are very right in remembering that she is very difficult and defiant too and I nearly mentioned that when they rang but thought maybe i'd prefer to see if they mention it or ask about it. Supose they won't though unless they have an idea she behaves like that.
The problem with that too is that she is fine at school, she only misbehaves the moment she walks out the school door which makes me think it must be my fault and not something wrong with her.

It's quite common for children to be fine at school and then start acting up at home. It's often because they've made so much effort to be 'good' all day at school that when they get home they just let out all the stress and frustration. It's not about parenting skills etc.

I would write a list of all of your concerns, including the behavioural issues, and take a spare copy of this with you to be put into dd's file. That way whoever you are referred to will have a fuller picture of what is going on.

Thanks coppertop. I will write it all down and mention the behavioural probs too , hopefully then I may get seen again a bit quicker.