OCD Therapist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - we started him on Prozac last night…

Just an anecdote based on my DC experience with OCD. Every person reacts to different SSRIs differently, and for OCD I think you typically need to be at the top of the dose range for it be effective.

For my child, Prozac had almost no effect, but the long half life caused us to waste a lot of time stepping up and then washing out to switch to a different one. DC ended up switching to Zoloft, which did have an effect.

That said, Prozac has obviously been around forever and has an excellent safety profile.

Medication definitely helped them be receptive to ERP.

2 years later, we are now gradually decreasing the SSRI because my kid is able to manage the OCD behaviors.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Yes you need a very high dose of an SSRI for it to have any effect on OCD. Meds is imperative for someone with OCD. If you're really serious about treating it you will invest in a child psychiatrist for meds as well as Dr. M who is the gold standard of OCD care in the country and is located in Silver Spring. https://www.behaviortherapycenter.com/new-page-1. Do SPACE parenting but not a group do it with your partner and a well trained SPACE therapist. None of this is cheap but most effective. Online therapy will not be effective for your child.

[Anonymous]

We liked Family Compass in Reston and supplemented with virtual talk therapy through Headway. NOCD didn’t work for us even with trying 2 therapists. One was absolutely awful

[Anonymous]

Might he have a strep infection?

[Anonymous]

PP please stop posting how to treat a complex disease by suggesting dosing and drugs. Are you doctors? Not helpful. Very misleading. Likely dangerous and harmful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP please stop posting how to treat a complex disease by suggesting dosing and drugs. Are you doctors? Not helpful. Very misleading. Likely dangerous and harmful.

Huh? PPs are actually relaying evidence based advice for a child who appears to be in crisis. Nobody is telling OP to double the dose on her own.

OP I agree with others that finding a psychiatrist and prioritizing the med dosage is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Good resource on pediatric OCD treatment:

https://kids.iocdf.org/what-is-ocd-kids/how-is-ocd-treated/

[Anonymous]

I am a doctor and you need a high dose of SSRIs to treat OCD. The dose must be monitored and adjusted by a psychiatrist or neuropharmacologist.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, OP, this must be extremely stressful.

[Anonymous]

I'm a psychologist and treat ocd with erp- agree with all these recs- yes ssri doses are typically higher than for anxiety/depression. If you share your geographic area ( dc? Va? Md?) Happy to make other referrals

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry, OP. If your tween eventually has to go inpatient for treatment, OCDI McClean near Boston changed my OCD DD’s life. There is a special program for younger patients: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/ocd-institute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a doctor and you need a high dose of SSRIs to treat OCD. The dose must be monitored and adjusted by a psychiatrist or neuropharmacologist.

My 18yo DS is doing very well on 300mg of Luvox for his OCD. He’s been on this dose for 2 years now and managed by his pediatrician and psych NP.

[Anonymous]

I have a 10 year old who I’m certain has ocd. Where should I take him to be diagnosed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 10 year old who I’m certain has ocd. Where should I take him to be diagnosed?

To an OCD therapist.