Teenage son with OCD

[tommothytompkins]

Hi all,

My 15 year old has had OCD for years with little impact on day to day life for him. The last few months things have become more difficult. His OCD is a far bigger part of his life causing him anxiety and stress. He's now having physical symptoms. He's been through camhs in the past but that seemed to make matters worse, so much so he won't go back.

Is there anything I can do to help, anything online that others have tried etc. GCSEs seem to be causing a lot of stress and obviously all the school issues during the covid outbreak.

Any help or advice gratefully received 🙏

[Bookishbunny]

I can say as a kid with OCD the biggest thing you can do as a parent is being there for him, making sure he knows nothing is wrong with him, that he’s understood, etc. We all have ups and downs I’m in a low spot myself right now and if I could change one thing it’d be having someone who REALLY understands what it’s like. I hope things improve for you and your son.

[tommothytompkins in reply to Bookishbunny]

I'm always here for him, he knows I've got his back 100%. He's a fantastic son, I just wish I could take the difficult bits away for him. I'm so sorry you're in a tough spot. That must be so hard for you. Could you open up about your problems to a friend or relative? If you explain you need someone to listen I'm sure someone will be there? I don't understand my sons issues but I listen and let him tell me, he's just not able to explain because it doesn't seem to make sense to him either.

I hope you get some help and thanks for your reply, it means a lot 😊

[applegranny]

Hello, You can find some information on the websites below. I would also recommend to post your question at groups.io/g/OCD-Support with some details about the symptoms. You can check out NOCD website, I believe they provide teletherapy not only in the US, but in England as well. Hope it helps.

groups.io/g/OCD-Support - OCD-SUPPORT Support and guidance relating to OCD and its treatment for people with OCD, as well as their family members and friends. This group focuses on helping people with OCD improve their lives through the use of the evidence-based treatments of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), including exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the proven OCD medications. This group is moderated by Wendy Mueller, who is well-recovered from severe OCD and has been leading online OCD support groups for over 28 years, and Dr. James Claiborn, a psychologist who has specialized in using cognitive behavioral therapy to treat patients with OCD and related disorders for over 30 years. Both Wendy and Dr. Claiborn are recipients of the Patricia Perkins Service Award from the International OCD Foundation.

NOCD - treatmyocd.com/

iocdf.org/ - International OCD Foundation. They have a section on Covid on their website and they also have an OCD Conference.

spacetreatment.net/ - Parents who participate in SPACE will learn skills and tools to help their child overcome anxiety, OCD or related problems. The treatment focuses on changes that parents can make to their own behavior; they do not need to make their child change.

[tommothytompkins in reply to applegranny]

Wow, thanks for all that information. I will do as you suggested. All help is appreciated. If I can understand it more I can hopefully help him through it. Thanks so much.

[JoeS00]

I would advise exposure and response therapy. Idk if you tried it though. I was your son's age when I struggled with OCD the most.

[tommothytompkins in reply to JoeS00]

I've not heard of that. He's reluctant to try anything after the disaster with camhs. I will look into it, if I can get details he may try again. He's quite resistant to change because it scares him.i don't want to make him worse and know the change has got to come from him wanting to do it, I am not going to force him because he'll dig his heels in. Thanks for your response, much appreciated 👍