My Teen with OCD neck pain issue

[waniniko]

Hi,I mentioned of my teen with OCD diagnosed 2 years ago. I found this group it has helped me a lot thanks to you all it was a dark season before . Hers being religious OCD. She is on Zoloft for almost 2 years has worked well but can sleep a lot and get tired. . She is now 16. She complained of neck pains a while went to hospitaL, tests done, imaging and nothing. Now she really is complaining of the same, am her primary caregiver and I empathize with her. I plan to seek a city scan but wanted to.just ask if this can be caused by anxiety also? Wondering if I might over expose her to scans yet might be the anxiety

Thanks and wishing you all well

Waniniko

[Natureloverpeace]

Anxiety can cause neck pains but so can medical conditions.

[waniniko in reply to Natureloverpeace]

Thanks . Natureloverpeace

[Natureloverpeace]

Sometimes people get neck pains from looking at a computer screen for a prolonged period that’s not at eye level.

[ashder32]

I am 52 but have had issues since childhood. Her neck pain maybe something like how she is sleeping or something else she is doing. When I am stressed I get alot of tightness in my neck so it could also be anxiety. You just have to balance reassuring the teen vs enabling if they cannot accept nothing is found.

[waniniko in reply to ashder32]

Thanks so much for responding yes the reassuring and enabling had forgotten this part it reminds me the caregiver therapy. Your responses means a lot I think it also stress me to see her in these at times confusing state but Iust say she has build resilience. Thanks and I wish you all and us all sufficient Grace as we fight with awareness

Waniniko

[avoidingthebadthings]

I began to get cervical spondylosis (in part due to a genetic predisposition from my grandfather) when I was in high school and no one believed I could have neck problems at such an early age. I didn't get imaging until I was in my 20s, and by then I had lost the use of my right arm and hand due to a pinched nerve in my neck. If I had been able to start physical therapy and massage much earlier, things never would have progressed to that advanced stage.

Even if the imaging doesn't show anything conclusive, I suggest finding a good massage therapist (definitely go with a female) to do an hour of deep tissue and/or Swedish massage for your daughter once a month at least. It will help so much to ease her anxiety. Listen to your daughter and make sure she's okay with the level of touch involved, etc.

Some massage therapists can chatter on about health subjects they know little about, so I would encourage you to ask the massage therapist to listen to your daughter if she wants to talk during a session and to otherwise not to be judgmental or diagnostic in any way.

Neck pain is also associated with migraine, so your daughter may be manifesting migraine symptoms now without getting actual migraines yet. This happened with me as well. She could also have TMJ and be grinding her teeth at night. That too would cause neck pain.

Your daughter is lucky to have you taking care of her and reaching out for help.

[waniniko in reply to avoidingthebadthings]

Waoh grateful for this insight very much appreciated will be very helpful. Thank you and true I don't want to assume and co close for her the pain since she is the one feeling it and expressing it. Thank you

[Hidden]

I have OCD. I'm not quite sure how I go about helping myself. I'm not on any medication for it. does anyone have any useful resources?