So thankful to have found this app đ my 15 year old is struggling with what is unofficially diagnosed OCD (counselor is starting the process to diagnose but she fits SO much of what weâre reading and sheâs at least 4th generation OCDâr). We are in a bad spiral right now with her, especially centered around sleep and it just feels so hard. Just wanted to say thank you for helping me not feel alone.
I was not diagnosed with OCD as a child, but I'm pretty sure I had OCD like symptoms very early on. I had a whole month of not being able to sleep at night because I was terrified of something irrational. Do you mind me asking what your child's theme is, related to sleep?
@Fat pigeon Donât mind at all!! Her mind just seems to jump between varying things, and often times when we remind her sheâs already done it (ie used the bathroom, gotten a drink, etc) sheâll fixate until she does it. She mostly falls in the camp of making sure sheâs getting whatâs expected done (her expectations of herself, not anyone elseâs), thatâs sheâs enough, etc.
@servant85 That sounds really tough for both of you. I'm so sorry. It must be especially hard as a parent to try response prevention with a child, especially if anxiety is severe. I hope you find something that helps them go through this episode easily. It will get better!
I have had SO many sleep obsessions- fear of not sleeping (which causes me to not sleep), compulsive rituals around sleep (needing a sleep mask, chapstick, water bottle, ear plugs.. or it doesnt feel âquite rightâ/âincompleteâ), compulsively drinking water, using the bathroom, getting a snack (until it feels RIGHT); waking up my parents in the night for reassurance about not sleeping, having to sleep in my parents bed, fears regarding sleep paralysis (which Iâve not even once experienced!), fears regarding where we âgoâ when we sleep⌠the list goes on. I donât know what kind of sleep obsessions your daughter is experiencing, but I can guarantee Iâve probably been there at one point or another. Please know this is all SO treatable with ERP, and your daughter has a big, beautiful life ahead of her where this wonât be plaguing her so severely. Nipping it in the bud at a young age is something Iâm so grateful for. I have ups and downs of course, but having been equipped with knowledge and tools at 18 instead of later in life (I am now 26) has given me so much more time to practice the skills, and less time of my life taken away from me in the long run.
@alissaa I wanna add, your daughter is so lucky to have a parent like you on here advocating for her and trying to get support and education. Having a good support system is so crucial when dealing with OCD. Your daughter is in good hands! The biggest advice I have is to make sure any therapy/therapist she goes to specializes in OCD, and uses exposure/response prevention (NOT talk therapy, as this isnât suitable for OCD and can be harmful). Best of luck.
@alissaa Very true ! I had symptoms most of my life but it wasnât too bad . I just thought I had fears but it is no big deal. It wasnât until last year I experience harm OCD I was scared. When I went to the talk therapist he made me feel very scared . Not his fault because he is good but when I told him some of what I was experiencing he said he was concerned . I couldnât even sleep after that . ERP is everything!!!!!!
@alissaa Literally weeping from being encouraged and thankful â¤ď¸ thank you for being willing to share your hard, it means the world to this tired mama đ
I went through the same experience as you and want to assure that you're not alone. I started experiencing what seemed to be OCD symptoms at 14, but didn't officially get help until I was 16. It really did help turn my life around and mediate many bad habits.
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