The “Johnson Family’s” OCD Story: How to Get Help for a Child with OCD
Our daughter began experiencing fairly severe symptoms when she was 7 years old. At first we didn’t realize what was happening, but with a little research we quickly realized that it was likely OCD. It was devastating to watch the transformation of our happy, joyful, care-free daughter into a worried, tired, scared little girl. Her entire life seemed to be controlled by her OCD. As a parent, it felt as if we had lost our daughter.As we began to research what treatments are available for OCD, we quickly began to realize that CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and in...
Read MoreOCD and COVID-19
Many people with anxiety and OCD are struggling to cope with COVID and sheltering in place. At the core of OCD is an “intolerance of uncertainty.” The pandemic has drastically increased the number of unknowns that everyone now faces- What if I get COVID? Is this a symptom? What if I pass COVID on to someone? How many times a day should I wash my hands? Are my clothes contaminated? For people with OCD these uncertainties can bring on a whole new level of fear of anxiety. Living with OCD and anxiety during a pandemic can be especially distressing and confusing. What are normal...
Read More“Birdy’s” Story of OCD: Ages 12-18, Rural Community, Severe OCD, Emetophobia, Eating Disorder, ERP
Written by “Birdy,” Age 18 Living with Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: My Story Six years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to get out of bed. Six years ago, it would have taken me three hours to get ready for school. Six years ago, I would have been tapping and stomping and counting in order to get out of the car, eat a meal, or walk to the bathroom. Six years ago, I never thought I would be where I am today, standing on Middlebury’s campus. My experience with severe obsessive compulsive disorder is not unique to me, but I hope that in sharing my story, others will be...
Read More“Linda’s” Story- Mother to a 12 yr old with Severe OCD
OCD is a mysterious and complex creature that has been controlling my older daughter, Birdy (age 12), for the past several years and robbing her not only from her passions and success but also the basic pleasures of adolescence and joy of life. As a parent, there is nothing more painful and terrifying than watching your child suffer from the oppressive demands of OCD and being controlled by this “inner demon.” My husband and I felt helpless, bewildered and full of despair as we witnessed our once vibrant and successful daughter sink further into the trap of OCD until she was “stuck” to the...
Read More“Beth’s” OCD Story: Age 17, POCD, Emetophobia, HOCD, ERP, Medication
By “Beth,” age 17 In retrospect my OCD began in childhood but the symptoms that brought me into therapy began out of the blue, years later. One day, I woke up and had the thought, “what if I molested a child?” I was horrified and shocked that I had even thought this, and immediately tried to get rid of the thought. I felt awful about it, but I literally couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. The harder I tried, the more it seemed to cement itself in my consciousness. Every day was a nightmare. I was flooded with anxiety constantly, and I couldn’t let...
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