Kids with OCD and anxiety

[georgiegirl]

Did starting a SSRI help?

Ds1’s therapist is pretty sure he has OCD. Not your typical hand washing OCD, but the whole brain getting stuck and perseverating on things and then compulsively bugging me about it. She recommends he start a SSRI to help get things under control (in addition to therapy of course.). She works closely with his psychiatrist on lots of shared patients, so she’s very aware about meds and behavior issues. DS1 is already in concerta for his adhd and clonidine for sleep (without it he won’t sleep at all...probably because of anxiety and his brain not being able to shut off). He’s 10 if that makes a difference.

So I was just wondering if SSRIs helped your kid with anxiety or OCD. Feel free to message me if you don’t feel comfortable sharing here.

Thanks!

[mommy111]

SSRIs can help with OCD. No personal experience but my grad school landlady (and good friend)’s son had this and SSRIs made a huge difference ( I babysat him quite a bit so I saw). It was the only medication he was on, though. In your little one’s case, I’d worry about over-medicating and maybe try some cognitive techniques first? Maybe your physician has considered this already and thinks meds are definitely needed? I’d make sure of that though, 10 is really young!!

[MSWR0319]

My DS has never been diagnosed with OCD, but I'm sure he probably has a mild form it. Much like yours, when he gets his brain stuck on something, the bugging doesn't stop!! It's so frustrating. He's on melatonin at night because he can't shut his brain off (not saying you need this since he's on sleep medicine, just sharing because I understand the brain not turning off part!). Please report back if you try it and let us know how it works.

[Kindra178]

SSRIs can help with OCD. No personal experience but my grad school landlady (and good friend)’s son had this and SSRIs made a huge difference ( I babysat him quite a bit so I saw). It was the only medication he was on, though. In your little one’s case, I’d worry about over-medicating and maybe try some cognitive techniques first? Maybe your physician has considered this already and thinks meds are definitely needed? I’d make sure of that though, 10 is really young!!

I would let the Mds worry about over medicating.

Pm sent.


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[georgiegirl]

My DS has never been diagnosed with OCD, but I'm sure he probably has a mild form it. Much like yours, when he gets his brain stuck on something, the bugging doesn't stop!! It's so frustrating. He's on melatonin at night because he can't shut his brain off (not saying you need this since he's on sleep medicine, just sharing because I understand the brain not turning off part!). Please report back if you try it and let us know how it works.

Melatonin didn’t work at all for my DS. It’s as if his brain is always on and thinking and thinking and thinking. The other day I woke up to 25 texts from him...20 of which were “mom.” Just like when he’s awake and repeats “mom” a million times or taps me incessantly. His therapist asked him if texting me 25 times worked to get what he wanted, and he said no. And then she pointed out that 25 texts would likely have the opposite effect. Same as when he bugs me incessantly.


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[MSWR0319]

Melatonin didn’t work at all for my DS. It’s as if his brain is always on and thinking and thinking and thinking. The other day I woke up to 25 texts from him...20 of which were “mom.” Just like when he’s awake and repeats “mom” a million times or taps me incessantly. His therapist asked him if texting me 25 times worked to get what he wanted, and he said no. And then she pointed out that 25 texts would likely have the opposite effect. Same as when he bugs me incessantly.


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I think our sons would get along well! I've thought that from other posts you've posted as well. DS wanted to go fishing the other day and it turned into "Mom, can I go fishing?" "I don't know right now DS, we'll have to wait and see." "Mom, can I go fishing?" "MOM, can I go fishing?" "Mom, if I go fishing, where am I going to get worms?" "Mom, who will go with me?" You get the picture. He's gets his mind stuck on something and it's all over for us!

[georgiegirl]

I think our sons would get along well! I've thought that from other posts you've posted as well. DS wanted to go fishing the other day and it turned into "Mom, can I go fishing?" "I don't know right now DS, we'll have to wait and see." "Mom, can I go fishing?" "MOM, can I go fishing?" "Mom, if I go fishing, where am I going to get worms?" "Mom, who will go with me?" You get the picture. He's gets his mind stuck on something and it's all over for us!

I’ve always thought they are similar. I can see my DS saying the same thing about fishing. He did it with archery a few weeks ago. “Can I have a bow and arrow?” Ad nauseum. He wasn’t fond of my “no, it’s a weapon and you have no training. maybe we can sign you up for archery lessons.” He just wants to shoot a bow and arrow in our backyard.

[Gracemom]

My DS has anxiety with OCD tendencies. SSRI'S didn't help but SNRI'S did (effexor). They will usually try SSRI'S first. The medication trial and error is not fun. Therapy has helped too. Good luck!

[gatorsmom]

My ds3 is on a Concerta and Prozac for anxiety. When we were testing and trying out ADHD medications I noticed that when the Concerta dosage was too high, he developed fixations on things. It was almost like OCD. It’s like he became too focused. Backing down on the concerta dosage helped tremendously with that.