Caregiver

[Skitch411]

My daughter has severe thought loop OCD. Is there medicine to help? We live in a more rural area and the mental health services aren't very good. Can a Nurse practitioner prescribe medicine that might help?

[Sallyskins]

I think a nurse practitioner can prescribe but it still needs to be signed off by a doctor.

Mental health services are underfunded and under-resourced but you're still entitled to help for your daughter. If she's still under 18 she will come under CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and I'm afraid that they are particularly stretched.

The SSRI class of antidepressants - the standard treatment for OCD - isn't usually prescribed for under 18s but exceptions are made in the case of OCD. They do take 4 - 6 weeks to start working properly, and they can make you feel worse before they start making you feel better, so don't expect an immediate improvement.

And if you do get a prescription for her, make sure you monitor her for side effects and feeling worse - and get in touch with a doctor immediately if you think she might harm herself.

I'm not trying to scare you - it's just that the effects of these drugs can be a little hit and miss and you need to consider how they will affect her.

There are lots of books on the market that can help with OCD, and these include quite a few that are aimed at children and teenagers. A quick google of 'OCD children's books' will come up with a number of suggestions. They can help your daughter understand OCD better - best to get at least one that includes CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) exercises that she can adapt to her own needs.

I appreciate that getting the books you want can be difficult in rural areas but the internet is great for this. Try abebooks.co.uk - a book marketplace - and go to 'Advanced Search'. Then just type in the name of the book or the author and you will get a list of new and used books from various booksellers. It's easy and I get most of my books from there.

Home support is so integral to overcoming OCD so it's great that your daughter has such an understanding mother!

[Skitch411 in reply to Sallyskins]

Thank you so so much for your response ! I like the CBT idea. We live rural so we need to try for an online therapist. I agree with the medication. She is an adult. It’s scary. It breaks my heart. I won’t give up on her though.

[Sallyskins in reply to Skitch411]

An online therapist would be good! And books to back it up - she can make a start on CBT with a book. The ones I always suggest are Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and The OCD Workbook (this has a helpful section for carers), because they have helped me, but there are others.

There is also Seacole Ward at Springfield Hospital in Tooting, where intensive treatment is available for OCD patients - places are limited, but I had a four month stay there (the average stay is six, I think) around eight years ago - it really helped me. It's free and on the NHS - it's something that you could ask your doctor about.

Make sure any therapist uses CBT techniques and understands OCD. An NHS referral is almost certain to do. There are some rogue 'therapists' in the private sector who promise miracle cures - anyone can set up as a therapist without knowledge, skills or training. So if you do go private, make sure they're qualified. Any therapist who asks for money up front without explaining treatment is to be avoided!

My heart goes out to you - I know that I've put my family through it with my OCD. Make sure you take care of yourself too.

[Skitch411 in reply to Sallyskins]

My gosh you have given me more possible direction than I have ever gotten. I wish you knew how much this means to me. It’s like a maze. I’m working on her insurance and road blocks there. I so so grateful !

[Sallyskins in reply to Skitch411]

It sounds as though you're in the USA - Springfield Hospital is in England (as I am). I know getting medical treatment in the States with insurance and so on is such a problem often, particularly for mental problems. But the stuff about being careful to make sure therapists are properly qualified and use CBT still applies.

If ordering books online, the abebooks site in the USA is abebooks.com.

[Starfish_coffee]

If your daughter is willing and she is not receiving helpful therapy already, I would try looking for an OCD therapist that could meet with her online.

[Skitch411 in reply to Starfish_coffee]

Thank you so so very much !

[Starfish_coffee in reply to Skitch411]

You are so welcome! I know how hard it is to watch your child, even if they are an adult, deal with this. It is so overwhelming for everyone involved. There is help out there but it sure is stressful trying to find it!

[Natureloverpeace]

Nurse practitioners in the United States can prescribe medication if they have the additional license required to do so. Medications help some people with OCD but not others. Medication can help with up to 30-40% of the symptoms but ERP will also be needed. OCD is part biology and part learning (conditioning) according to Jon Grayson, Ph.D. ocdinfo.com is a new directory that vets therapists for licensure, background, education and training. This is a directory put together by OCD experts. There are a couple of other directories but they only vet for licensure. So basically anyone with a license who claims to treat OCD can get on those. There are many therapists who claim to treat OCD but lack the specific education and training. The IOCDF has a section on their website of recommended books, media, etc. They also do livestreams on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays that may interest her. The Thursday one is brand new, last night was the first one. That one may interest you. NOCD provides ERP through a virtual platform. All of their therapists are OCD specialists. Look up NOCD or go to treatmyocd.com.

[Skitch411 in reply to Natureloverpeace]

Thank you so much for your information and response!

[Natureloverpeace]

I need to modify my post. The IOCDF is hearing many complaints about some of the therapists who work with NOCD. Someone from the IOCDF suggested that it may be okay to use NOCD for mild cases of OCD but not severe ones.

[Skitch411 in reply to Natureloverpeace]

Oh no worries You are fine!!! I love NOCD!

[Skitch411]

Thank you so very much. How kind of you!

[Skitch411]

I’m so grateful !