OCD Action

ocd_mum
Member

Hi really sorry but i only seem to come on here when there is a problem, (but your all so good at advice!!) Anyway my son was diagnosed with ocd (bad thoughts) in September 2010, however after taking fluxotine 60mgs and cbt when was improving massivley and now we all know how to challenge the 'bad thoughts'. His pyschiatrist reduced his medication (he is now on 20mg)and everything was great UNTIL 'the germs' came along! He is having massive problems with 'germs' he seems to be worse at the weekend and on a night out he has told me he can wash his hands upto 100 times (just incase any germs have gone onto his hands), this is now causing his hand to be red raw, chapped and sore he constanley washes his face also. He gets really angry if anyone coughs or sneezes near him, and finds it impossible to chat with someone (who looks dirty) incase their germs get onto him. He is also convinced that if he eats out the food he is eating is not cooked properly and therefore he will become ill and most of the time can not relax until he has made himself sick. I have tried to explain to him that everyone needs germs and nothing bad will happen even if someone coughs or sneezes near him. He has also been referred for further cbt treatment but i was just wondering if there is anything i can do or say to help him in the short term until his appointments come through (approx 4-6wks). I have read all the books recommended to me from this forum 'imp of the mind' etc which has help myself and my son massively with his ocd thoughts but i just cant seem to find anything regarding hand washing and germs.

thank you all soo much
ocd mum

Tue Feb 7 2012 10:24:30 #
BT
Member

David Veale and Rob Willson’s book Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder covers this as well as most other symptoms. It sounds as though the germ obsession has taken hold quickly and escalated into a serious problem for your son. I would recommend trying to get an urgent appointment with his psychiatrist, maybe an increase in medication would be suggested.

Tue Feb 7 2012 11:51:27 #
BT
Member

P.S. I’m not sure saying ‘nothing bad will happen’ is the right approach, because your son is intelligent enough to know that something bad could happen. I think a better approach is accepting the risks and also emphasising that we need to encounter germs to build up immunity (which I realise you are saying). We can never avoid all germs and by attempting to do so, it’s more likely a serious one will eventually lay us very low. In many ways, our best form of defence is to build up a healthy immune system, by encountering various germs.

Of course, your son probably knows this and it will take exposure to help reinforce such knowledge.

Tue Feb 7 2012 11:59:50 #
ocd_mum
Member

thanks 'bt' i also thought about his medication - he has been reduced gradually from 60mg - 20mg and that when the obessions have increased.

Tue Feb 7 2012 12:01:14 #
BT
Member

P.P.S. I'm not sure if any of these articles will be of help:

http://www.wsps.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=36:ocd-and-related-subjects-by-frederick-penzel-phd&Itemid=64&layout=default

Tue Feb 7 2012 12:05:58 #
BT
Member

I posted the link before seeing your latest message. It does seem likely that the decrease in medication is to blame, at least it won’t have helped. This has happened to several people I know and some psychiatrists view medication as a long-term treatment. One friend has been told to see herself like a diabetic who requires insulin. She is keen to discontinue her medication but has been advised to remain on it for life. When she did stop her Prozac she relapsed and has now decided to take her psychiatrist’s advice.

Tue Feb 7 2012 12:14:52 #