OCD Action

sadie
Member

Hi
I am mum of a 7 year old boy with OCD. We hope to soon begin CBT. Just wondered if anyone has any advice for helping a our son through this, or any recommened books for young kids. We have read some leaflets and have learned quite a lot in a short time but any specific advice would be welcome. I will have a look at the schools project. His school are very supportive so anything to help them and us will be good for my son. Thanks

Sat Oct 15 2011 16:37:49 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Sadie,

Welcome to the forum

The only book for children with OCD that I've read is one called
Breaking Free from OCD: A CBT guide for young people and their families by Jo Derisley

It’s called a CBT Guide for Young People and Their Families and is aimed at younger people and their parents or carers. It’s well presented and is by no means boring and explains things simply but in depth and contains plenty of work sheets for you to work through. It explains CBT and how to do it – a lot better than some of the books for adults but it's more for young teenagers and adolescents.
However at the end of each chapter there is information for the parent or carer giving them advice on how to help the young person with OCD. This book might help you to understand what your son is going through and more importantly how you can work with him to help him overcome this.

There is a book for children aged six to twelve and their parents that I've heard of though have never read so don't know how good it is. It's called:
What to do if your brain gets stuck: a kid's guide to overcoming OCD by Dawn Huebner.

Sat Oct 15 2011 18:23:25 #
sadie
Member

Thanks v much Trundles. I'll have a look at both. Anything to help along the way can't be bad

Sat Oct 15 2011 21:54:54 #
Truddles
Member

Hi sadie,

I've had a really bad few days with my OCD but reading your last post has made me laugh. You've described me perfectly as I'm having difficulties walking and yes I do trundle along at the moment

Sat Oct 15 2011 22:06:02 #
sadie
Member

Hi Truddles! I really should read/type more carefully or not post when having wine!

Sun Oct 16 2011 12:55:38 #
Truddles
Member

Hi sadie,

I've just come across this website when I was looking for something else on the BBC website
http://ocdyouth.iop.kcl.ac.uk/default.aspx It's a site run by the Maudsley for young people with OCD. It's got a book list which includes books aimed at the younger child.

Sun Oct 16 2011 17:12:09 #
Truddles
Member

Hi sadie,

I've just come across this website when I was looking for something else on the BBC website
http://ocdyouth.iop.kcl.ac.uk/default.aspx It's a site run by the Maudsley for young people with OCD. It's got a book list which includes books aimed at the younger child.

posted that twice

Sun Oct 16 2011 17:12:09 #
Zara112
Member

I have had ocd since i was four...

Help him to see it is nothing to be ashamed of and lots of people suffer with it. Alsoguide him with the things he needs ot try and not do/give into, dont get angry or frustrated with him for it

Mon Oct 17 2011 8:51:59 #
sadie
Member

Hi, Thanks for the replies. Truddles thanks for the link, that is really useful. Ihaven't gotten around to ordering a CBT help book yet but I'm pleased to see that there are a few of them. We're meeting with the psycologist next week so I think I'll take the list and see if there are any particular ones she would recommed.
Thanks Zara, I think it helped him knowing that his feelings have a name and now he will say its the OCD or is the "problem". We do try not to get frustrated but it is difficult at times.
He will be beginning CBT soon initially with play to help to relax so I'll update with any progress we make.
S

Sun Oct 30 2011 13:30:11 #
Jubes
Member

Hi Sadie,
I guess that was you on the seminar last night. We have gone through some CBT with our 11 year old when he was 10 and I have learned so much. Younger kids are different. This has been our learning:

Motivation
My child is not motivated to get better because he doesn't hate his OCD. He thinks the OCD helps him stay safe. He cannot see it as the enemy. He does all his ERP for icecream! We have a daily reward (icecream) and a reward for arriving at certain points on his ladder, (£2). In some ways this is much better for parents because it puts us firmly in control of progress. It seems to get much worse when the child gets older and can make the choice themselves. Everyone says to me he has to learn to fly solo, but I am on a mission to make some serious progress before puberty sets in!

Logic;
This has been one of the most important things I have learned. There is a lot of emphasis in CBT on thinking logically about the risks if you dont do a compulsion, and it makes sense to going through this stage. But my son has been telling me loud and clear that he understands the risks are miniscule, but that he still feels bad. Banging on about how low the risk is just annoys him and makes him feel very silly which harms his self esteem even more. For him it is uncomplicated; he feels bad regardless of the logic. I have stopped using this approach and now we focus on how feeling bad is yucky but not harmful, trying to get him to just feel bad and see how he can survive the feeling.

Good luck. You will need infinite patience. Never give up. ERP works if you stick with the programme.

Wed Nov 16 2011 11:59:17 #
sadie
Member

Hi Jubes,
Yes! I found the seminar very helpful.
Thanks for your info.
My son will be starting CBT, just relaxation techniques to begin with, tomorrow.

He hates his OCD at present and every time he is having a bad episode he keeps saying "I need to see the doctor". So he does want to start trying to get better so I think he is motivated, and I do agree with the rewards, that is a very good idea for such young kids.

With us it is the "bad feeling" also, so the "surviving the feeling" will be really useful.

The more I learn, the more I see what a long road is ahead.

We'll just keep taking it day by day and hoping for the best.

Thanks again

S

Wed Nov 16 2011 15:15:53 #