My son who will be 17 next week is suffereing so bad with OCD and Depression issues, I know everything there is to know about depression but I know very little about OCD especially OCD in youth. Does anyone have in triage gorrila style advice, I am getting him into a psychiatrist on Monday and he is currently on Paxil for depression. I am seriously lo osing my mind because I have not slept the last 3 nights because I am afraid if I fall asleep and do not watch him 24/7 he may hurt himself. I am broken because of this, he is any amazing son an amazing person and he is in so much pain it hurts to watch him and how he is suffering. I do not know what to do..
Thanks
Kirstin
Hi Kirstin,
My son, Nick, is 15 and suffers with one of the worst cases of OCD that his therapist has seen in many years. This horrible monster moved into our house a year and a half ago. Nick was a fun loving and very happy kid. Always with friends and always laughing. So much that I would have to tell him to be quiet after some time. The pain of OCD is horrific. Since we discovered his OCD, he has gone through severe depression and thought of taking his life. He cannot attend school on a regular basis. He is growing tired of fighting. But I always remind him that tomorrow will be a better day. Keep fighting back to that monster OCD and win a minute, a hour or a even a day back from OCD. At the end of the day look at the positive strides he has taken forward. Never say you understand. A gentleman with OCD gave me that advice. We will never understand what goes on in our sons minds. Sad but true. I tell him I don't understand how he feels but I want to help and what can I do to help you through this difficult moment. That does seem to help. I too have been in your position of staying up all night to keep an eye on him so that he wouldn't hurt himself. There are some good days. Nick takes Lexapro and Abilify. The meds have taken the edge off, but have NOT cured him. We go to therapy once a week. We have a wonderful therapist that Nick feels very comfortable with. It is hard to find a therapist that really understands OCD. I am currently looking for a support group of kids his age with the same issues. I have been looking for a support group for an entire year now. I would really like to hear more of your story and would love to give you some helpful hints. Nick also has extreme anxiety and an autoimmune disease PANDAS. Looking forward to sharing my experience and hearing yours as maybe this is the help we both need:)
Take care - hang in there and always look at the positive at the end of the day - even if it is small!
Kerrie
Hi Kerrie,
My son is 17 and he was just diagnosed about a month ago. He is having difficulty w/ school as well. I have put in for FMLA so I can be home with him when he needs my support. He is in his senior year and it’s hard to see him missing out on life. He sees his therapist once a week and has started on Prozac. The symptoms are still present but he doesn’t seem to become as anxious by them…the problem he says is that he doesn’t feel anything now. No love, no joy…nothing. How has your sons experience been on the Lexapro? I’m wondering if we should try something else at this point. He is on medication to help him sleep as well; however, I notice he doesn’t sleep soundly…his body does a lot of jerking and twitching. I will mention this to his doctor next week when we see him, but I was wondering if you noticed anything like this with your son?
If you have any luck finding a support group for teenagers with OCD, please sahre it. Thanks.
My advice to you is just listen to him if he needs someone to talk to and let him know you are here for him. But, I wouldnt get to pushy with asking him whats wrong and all because sometimes he may need to be alone. I am sorry for your son because ocd can bring so much pain.
Hi Kirstin,
When I was 21 years old, I was hit hard with OCD. I suspect I have always had some symptoms but I can pin point exactly the day where these symptoms really started pushing me over the edge. It could have been because a lot of things in my life were changing or because of the stress. The scariest part of the whole thing was not being able to control my thoughts. Awful thoughts would come into my head and they would be so disturbing and I couldn't turn them off. I was ashamed of these thoughts. Normally, you should be able to dismiss unwanted thoughts but I would obsess over them to the point where I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I was afraid of hurting someone. I had feelings of guilt and hopelessness that were unbearable. It really affected my relationships because I did not want to be around anyone. I couldn't eat, sleep and was severly depressed because of it. It was the worst time of my life. Fortunately, I had a family member, my mom, who really helped me. She listened to me when I talked. I was able to talk to her about what was going on in my head. Although she did not understand what I was going through, she didn't judge me, whereas I was afraid she wouldn't love me anymore or think I was crazy. Just having someone there for the reassurance, patience and kindness really helped me. She helped me get into a psychiatrist who had described my symptoms as having 'OCD of the mind or thoughts'. I was so relieved that there was a name for it. He put me on the anti-depressent Prozac and monitored my dosage and progress. That really helped! It has been 3 years since then and life is so much better. I still have some symptoms but nothing like what it was. I can eat, sleep and function as a happy human being. I was married in July. My advice to you is to be there for your son. Tell him about these symptoms so he knows that he is not the only one who had been through it. Do not be alarmed with what he tells you because he will be more alarmed by your reaction. Do not judge him and do not tell him that you know how he feels. Unless you've experienced it, you will never know, but do some research and get him in to see a psychiatrist. I am sorry for the novel. I hope that helps.
Hi Zowie,
My son just started on Prozac and he is feeling very “flat” and void of emotions. Did you have an experience similar to this when starting your meds? He has been taking the medication for about 10 weeks now.
Kristin and Kerri,
I just learned a little over a month ago that my 17 year old son also has OCD. I didn't know too much about it at the time. I was taken back by the diagnosis and very confused. I have been working religiously to find more information and a better understanding of OCD in order to help him. I know what you mean when you speak of how painful it is to see them suffer. I did nothing but cry for the first couple of weeks becuase I felt so helpless. He has been in therapy and started on Prozac. It is reassuring to know we are not in this alone and that others have had sucess with treatment. Kerri, I like your advice in looking for the positive at the end of each day and I plan on sharing that with my son. Some days are def. better than others.
M.
Hi Mickie,
Yes, there were times were I felt sort of "flat". Prozac helps to take the edge off of the emotions and thoughts that I struggle with. But it did take awhile to get the dosage to a consistant and appropriate level. In the beginning I was frustrated because it wasn't a complete cure. Over time though, my symptoms did improve. I've heard that taking it at the same time every day can help. I also know that it makes me very tired so maybe before going to sleep. If Prozac isn't helping it is very possible that the doctor would switch medications. There are other options other than Prozac.
Thanks Zowie,
We have a med check next week. I just know that my son is feeling frustrated becuase he says he feels nothing now :( I keep telling him to be patient...I know there is no easy fix for this but its hard to keep him positive when he is feeling so badly. I know there will be better days ahead...hearing your experience is helping me to remain hopeful and I'll be sure to share it with him. Thank you so much.
No problem at all. He needs to know that the way he feels and whatever negative thoughts he is having is the OCD and not him. Just be there to talk with him about anything he needs to get off his chest. It will get better!
Well thanks again for your help 
I keep telling him that. I’ve also told him I’m not going to give up on him, that I will be strong for him to pull him through. It’s just a helpless feeling at times.