Desperate for help! My daughter is 15 with harm OCD and nothing is working for her..

[Redroses1]

My daughter has just recently completed an IOP program for harm OCD which resulted in minor help. She's inconsolable today; sobbing from a recent trigger with our cat. She feels she's done something wrong to her (again). I'm at a total loss. We are getting an average of maybe, 4 hours of sleep a night despite her taking melatonin, prescribed sleeping aid. She's up pacing and sobbing during the day. I have tried everything I can find and nothing is working for her; not IOP intensive therapy for exposure and response (makes it worse because she is also in the "special needs" category with symptoms that mimic asperger's syndrome. Nothing is working for her.. not medication, therapy.. the next step is residential treatment of which I am desperately avoiding. I'm out of ideas and losing myself in the process. I am a single mother, full-time worker with two jobs and a cancer diagnosis as of two years ago. I am desperate for help.. thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Shawna

[Hidden]

Hi Shawna, I'm so sorry for how you are struggling now. I have been there with my daughter so my heart goes out to you. I know "residential" sounds scary but if you find the right program it will help her. My daughter received life saving help from McLean Hospital in Belmont MA at their OCDI program. It is also important that if your daughter has a therapist that he/she is a "Behavioral Therapist" trained in ERP. My daughter was diagnosed at age 3...she is now 21 years old and doing well. I wish you both well....this forum is also a great encouragement.

[Redroses1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking time to provide your experience, and thoughtful advice.. very much appreciated and happy to hear she is doing well at 21!

[Hidden]

Oh you poor thing. This sounds like a nightmare. I would say first off that 4 hours of sleep is not sustainable for either one of you. Call her doctor and say you need something stronger. I recommend Trazodone, which gives you normal REM sleep and doesn't leave you with a huge hangover. It's safe and not as addictive as benzos. If you aren't sleeping, try something yourself. You will both be able to cope a lot better with some sleep and then can make better decisions. Call today!!! Warmly, Lisa

[Redroses1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your input! I really truly appreciate it!

[Godel]

Hi Shawna!!!

Did your doctor try with clomipramine? I first tried with fluoxetine, then valproic acid and it did not work. Then I tried with clomipramine and it is working better (don't self-medicate your daughter!!!). I hope you get help soon!!! and never forget that there is always help and hope for people like me and your daughter.

[Redroses1 in reply to Godel]

This is very helpful, thank you for this! I just called to make an apt. with her primary to see if she can prescribe this.. I did research on it and appears to be promising and aligns with feedback by those in a similar position as she.. God bless and thank you!

[mark40]

Hi Shawna, I’m really sorry your daughter is suffering. I am fresh out of an intensive out patient ERP program. I won’t lie, every day is a challenge but I now have tools which are somewhat effective in curbing my reactions and compulsions. Sobbing, believe or not is also a compulsion. The ocd mind will do anything to break the sufferer down, it horrible to experience and just as heartbreaking to watch and not be able to help. But there is hope. Please reach out to me if you’d like me to pass on my therapist details. She is working via video during this time. Blessing to you and your daughter.

[Redroses1 in reply to mark40]

Wow Mark, thank you! I am happy to hear of your progress.. it takes COURAGE to accomplish what you've done for yourself; it really does. I'm waiting for a recent referral by a center that provided my daughter's IOP therapy, for a counselor. Kaiser tends to drag their feet.. so I'm still waiting for that contact (just called the counselor myself and left a voice message). Hoping she can provide swift help via teletherapy. If not, I will be grappling for any help quickly.. thank you for such a kind gesture in providing a referral. I am open to any help.. are you able to send me a private message with her contact details by any chance? I really appreciate your kindness! Blessings to you as well my friend