Anthony,

thanks you for your reply. You've said some lovely things. Just a quick
email to say that we have started the CBT work , well so far she is taking
it slowly she says so he is just becoming aware of if he has any wins over
OCD and when it wins over him and he notes it down. This week he will also
be using a fear thermometer idea to say how bad he felt and also noting his
mood too.

He is seeing her on his own, the first week I went in with him and once he
was settled I went out. So far so good!

Thanks for sharing your experience,and its good to hear you went on to do
Uni etc, we home educate him and TBH that is one of my concerns as he has
withdrawn so much form doing anything remotely like work, I just hope we can
catch-up so to speak some day, but I feel its one thing at a time here :(

How did you cope with school/ college/ Uni? And did you have issues when
people asked you if you could do things be it educational or a chore type
task? ( Just to say all he has to do is feed the cats once a day , put the
empty tin in recycling and the used cutlery in the sink) and even that is
often a major task, but although cut down we have tried to keep it to make
things fair with his sister who of course does a whole lot more... just cos
she can touch things.

Its so difficult, as he's having all the hormone thing, the anti
establishment thing, and and parent thing! Plus OCD!!! Arghhh!!!! I'm just
glad I've had counsellor training!

bws,

Jenny.



----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony May" <roystonvasey36uk@...>
To: <ocdsupportuk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 1:40 PM
Subject: Re: [OCD Support UK] Hi, and some queries..


>
> Hi Jenny,
>
> Sorry to hear about your son, he sounds like he has a
> very serious form of OCD. I myself, have suffered with
> it for a long time, since maybe the age of 7 or 8 and
> I am now 25. My suffering, though, has been nowhere
> near as serious as your son, and I myself am a
> "checker". I check doors, taps, light switches etc,
> etc. I have some hygiene issues, but nothing serious
> really. I'd say I have a little bit of everything in
> small measures!
>
> Anyway, about 4 years ago I saw a psychologist for
> about four 2 hours sessions. All he really did was
> listened and I talked! I found talking helped,
> especially talking to someone who I wasn't personally
> connected to. I also took medication, which I think
> helped. Following my therapy I went to University and
> completed a degree in Psychology and my dissertation
> thesis involved working with OCD sufferers. I am
> fascinated by the disorder and feel at an advantage
> due to my own experiences.
>
> To answer your question.... I'd say your apprehensive
> feelings are well founded. This is your son after all
> and he is young. But, I would say go for it! letting
> him talk to someone 'unconnected' could really help
> him. I think they want to speak to him alone simply to
> see if there are any personal issues surrounding his
> OCD, which he may not feel comfortable talking about
> around you. In short, your son is so close to you, he
> may feel embarassed discussing his problems. OCD is
> also known as the secret disease. It means that
> sufferers know they are ill and know its unreasonable
> to feel how they do. This leads to embarassment and
> this is why he needs to speak to someone who he feels
> won't be 'let down' by his suffering, i.e. he almost
> certainly blames himself....we all do!! I know and you
> know he isn't letting you down, but this won't be how
> he feels, so let him unburden himself on an objective,
> unconnected professional.
>
> Finally, speak to the therapist about these feelings
> of uncertainty. Of all people, they will understand
> your fears. They are there to help and believe me, he
> needs some help right now and they can give him that.
>
> Speak to your son, you know him best and he is also
> the expert on his suffering. Ask him how he feels
> about speaking to a therapist... you may just be
> surprised at his bravery in him wanting to take charge
> and speak to a professional.
>
> Let me close with this: I am a sufferer, okay not as
> serious as your son, but there are lots of us and we
> can actually lead great lives. Give your son the
> chance to prove he can do something with his life and
> let him get the help he needs Jenny.
>
> Let me know how it goes and if you need to talk...my
> inbox is always open!!
>
> Take Care,
>
> Anthony
>
> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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