The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with OCD: Professional, reassuring advice for raising a happy, well-adjusted child

by Stephen Martin, Victoria Costello

Overview

OCD can make a child’s life difficult, turning simple tasks like homework and chores into almost impossible challenges. A child with OCD may feel stressed, worried, and even inadequate. Parents who suspect their child is suffering from OCD—or parents of a child with an OCD diagnosis—can now rest. This helpful guide helps parents with many issues: recognize symptoms; get an accurate diagnosis; find the right doctor and therapist; develop strategies for tackling schoolwork; and decide on the right treatment. Parents will learn how to talk to a child about OCD and devise coping strategies for school, sports, friendships, and other everyday situations. Children with OCD can learn how to enjoy life—without all the worry!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605507958
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	08/17/2008
Series:	Everything® Parenting Guide Series
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	780 KB

About the Author

An Adams Media author.

Table of Contents

Introduction     xiii
What Is Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?     1
Defining OCD     1
OCD in Children: Three Mini-Portraits     5
How Common Is Early-Onset OCD?     7
When OCD Is a Family Affair     9
Common Myths and Misconceptions     13
Why Your Child Can't "Just Stop It"     14
When Repetitions and Rituals Are Not OCD     15
The OCD Symptom Spectrum: From Mild to Severe     17
Symptoms Change as a Child Grows     18
How to Recognize Childhood OCD     21
Understanding Obsessive Thoughts     21
Contamination Fears     24
The Need for Order     26
Aggressive Thoughts     28
Superstitious Thoughts     29
Understanding Compulsive Behaviors     30
Cleaning Compulsions     31
Ordering Compulsions     32
Hoarding Compulsions     34
Avoidance Compulsions     35
Ritualizing Compulsions     37
Causes of OCD     39
What Today's Science Says about OCD     39
A Tour of the Brain with OCD     41
Creating a Family Mental Health Genetic Scorecard     44
Researching Your Family Mental Health History     45
Environmental Triggers     47
Identifying Culprit Genes     49
The Experience of OCD for a Child     51
Perceptions and Misconceptions     51
OCD in Children and Preteens     54
OCD in the Teenage Years     57
Negative Coping Behaviors: Avoiding and Hiding     61
What Children with OCD Need Most from Parents     61
The Parent's Role in Identifying OCD     63
When Abnormal Becomes Normal     63
The End of Denial     66
If You Suspect OCD     68
How to Help Your Child Take an OCD Self-Test     70
Keep a Daily Log of Your Child's Behavior     71
Getting a Formal Diagnosis     73
Where to Go for Help     73
Who Will Diagnose Your Child?     75
Tests for OCD     78
The Moment of Truth: Hearing the Diagnosis     82
Discussing Diagnosis and Treatment Options     82
What if It's Wrong? Misdiagnosis Rates with OCD     84
Talking about His Diagnosis     85
Differentiating OCD from Other Childhood Disorders     89
What You Should Know Before Seeking Help     89
The Link to Anxiety Disorders     90
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)     92
Eating Disorders     93
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)     95
Other Anxiety Disorders     96
The Autism Spectrum     98
Tourette's Syndrome (TS)     100
How Depression Plays a Role     101
Learning Disabilities     102
Common Dual and Multiple Diagnoses     103
Deciding on Treatment: CBT     105
How CBT Works     105
Finding the Right Therapist     107
Questions for Therapists     109
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)     111
What to Expect When Therapy Begins     114
One Therapist's View: Roxie's ERP Session     115
Continuing Exposure Exercises at Home     118
How Long Does Therapy Last?     119
When You Live Far from Treatment Centers     119
If Your Child Refuses Treatment     120
A Report Card on Individual Therapy Outcomes     121
Deciding on Treatment: Medication     123
When Medication Is Necessary     123
Serotonin and SSRIs     124
Medication Side Effects     127
FDA SSRI Advisory: Weighing Medication Risks     128
Questions about Medications     129
A Report Card on Medication and Psychotherapy     132
Summary of Expert Guidelines on Childhood OCD Treatment     134
Other Therapeutic Choices     137
Group Psychotherapy Using ERP     137
How Group CBT Therapy Works     138
Other Types of OCD Peer Groups     139
Inpatient Treatment for OCD     140
Diet, Nutrition, and Supplements     141
Neurofeedback Therapy     142
OCD at School     145
Typical Learning Problems for OCD Students     145
How Perfectionism and Procrastination Sabotage School Success     147
When Safety Fears Enter the Classroom     148
Forging a Partnership with School Staff     149
How to Obtain School Services and Accommodations     153
The Nuts and Bolts of IEP and 504 Education Plans     155
Redefining Success Beyond Grades     160
Become an Advocate for Your Child's Education     161
The Home Schooling Option     162
Special Issues for Younger Children and Preteens     165
Pediatric-Onset OCD     165
First Signs of OCD     167
Helping the Younger Child and Preteen Battle OCD     170
Dealing with High-Stress Times     172
Meltdowns and Tantrums     173
The Beginning of Scrupulosity     174
Dealing with Tics     176
Social Difficulties     179
Special Issues for Teens     181
Adolescents with OCD at School     181
Dealing with Aggressive Thoughts     183
Teen Sexuality and OCD     184
Religiosity and Scrupulosity     186
Eating Disorders     189
Alcohol, Drugs, and Teens with OCD     192
Help Your Teenager Find His Passion     194
Supporting Your Child     197
Encouraging Self-Acceptance     197
How Parents Sabotage a Child's Efforts     199
How to Help Your Child Create Success     200
Recognizing and Dealing with Triggers     200
Defining Your Role     203
Keeping a Daily Log     205
Find Creative Outlets for Your Child     205
Difficulties with Sleep     207
Peer Support Groups     209
Family Dynamics     211
Typical OCD-Related Family Stresses     211
A Family Systems Approach to OCD      212
Multicultural Issues and Parenting Styles     213
How Family Therapy Works     215
Family Therapy Basics     216
Questions for a Family Therapist     219
Marital Stress     220
Other Therapy Options for Couples     223
A Parent's Home Tool Kit     225
Keeping the Communication Lines Open     225
Developing an OCD Battle Plan     226
Naming and Managing the "Enemy"     228
Disciplining a Child with OCD     231
A Family Culture of Discipline     232
Support for Parents     237
Signs of Caretaker Stress and Burnout     237
If You Go Beyond Burnout     238
Coping with Parental Guilt     240
Accepting your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses     242
You May Need Individual Therapy     244
Setting Clear Boundaries and Time for Yourself     245
Find a Local Parent Support Group     245
Paying for Your Child's OCD Care     247
The Health Insurance Maze     247
Understanding Your Mental Health Coverage     248
Questions for Your Health Insurance Company     250
Child Public Mental Health Resources     251
Mental Health Insurance Parity     253
Advocacy Efforts for Mental Health Parity     255
Lifelong Strategies     257
Prospects for Independence     257
Perfectionism and Its Limits     260
Disability Rights in the Workplace     262
Dealing with Relapses     262
Enlisting Others by Selective Disclosure     264
The Importance of Attitude     265
Relationship Issues in Young Adulthood     267
Severe OCD Symptoms in Young Adulthood     268
The Promise of New Research     271
The Past: From Ignorance to Understanding     271
The Present: Genomic Studies     273
Important Ongoing OCD Studies     274
The Pros and Cons of Participating in OCD Research Studies     276
The Possible Future of OCD Treatment     277
How to Become an OCD Advocate     278
Glossary     279
Resources     283
Bibliography     286
Index     287