11 year old DD has OCD/anxiety - where to go from here?

[Anonymous]

My DD has had anxiety for pretty much her whole life. She is tense, perfectionistic and anxious most of the time. She does extremely well academically but is so introverted that she has a hard time socially. She has been in therapy for several years but we haven’t seen much change.

Would medication be the next step? What medications work well for OCD? We are going to the pediatrician soon but wanted to get input from those experienced folks here. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Do you or your spouse have any issues? That should always be the first consideration. They keep telling us these things have a genetic component.

[Anonymous]

Since she is already in therapy and it isn't much help, yes the next step is trying medication. If your daughter already sees a psychologist, they should recommend a psychiatrist to prescribe. The right medication can be life changing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you or your spouse have any issues? That should always be the first consideration. They keep telling us these things have a genetic component.

Depression and anxiety are common on my side of the family. I have had depression/anxiety for most of my life. I have never had the OCD issues though, She has many OCD/behaviors and characteristics.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter started on Zoloft with a similar profile. That is one of the meds approved for pediatric OCD. (Other SSRIs are also used but this is often the one they start with.) OCD often takes higher doses of meds to treat effectively but the doctor should start low and titrate up. (And she may get a lot of relief at lower doses at first.) You should see a psychiatrist, even if you ped will prescribe. Psychiatrists in this area usually don't take insurance. Therapy may be much more effective when her baseline anxiety is manageable. Meds made SUCH a difference for my DD - she got her life back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has had anxiety for pretty much her whole life. She is tense, perfectionistic and anxious most of the time. She does extremely well academically but is so introverted that she has a hard time socially. She has been in therapy for several years but we haven’t seen much change.

Would medication be the next step? What medications work well for OCD? We are going to the pediatrician soon but wanted to get input from those experienced folks here. Thanks!

Ive had OCD and anxiety my whole life. Zoloft works really well, especially for the OCD stuff, as well as CBT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter started on Zoloft with a similar profile. That is one of the meds approved for pediatric OCD. (Other SSRIs are also used but this is often the one they start with.) OCD often takes higher doses of meds to treat effectively but the doctor should start low and titrate up. (And she may get a lot of relief at lower doses at first.) You should see a psychiatrist, even if you ped will prescribe. Psychiatrists in this area usually don't take insurance. Therapy may be much more effective when her baseline anxiety is manageable. Meds made SUCH a difference for my DD - she got her life back.

Thanks for your detailed response! I am really hoping that meds will help - she's a great kid and I hate to see her in knots all the time. I will ask about Zoloft.

[Anonymous]

I would also think about her school day and if she's overwhelmed or stressed out from that. Is she in a public school or a competitive private school? Maybe a different type of school would help, too.

[Anonymous]

Medication did wonders for my DC with OCD. I wish I had started it sooner. DC was much able better to use the techniques learned in therapy after starting meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also think about her school day and if she's overwhelmed or stressed out from that. Is she in a public school or a competitive private school? Maybe a different type of school would help, too.

She is in FCC schools and absolutely loves school. She has a hard time with the social aspects but really digs into the academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medication did wonders for my DC with OCD. I wish I had started it sooner. DC was much able better to use the techniques learned in therapy after starting meds.

Which medication worked for your DC?

[Anonymous]

Combination of ssri and cbt is often very effective. Has she been in cbt specifically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Combination of ssri and cbt is often very effective. Has she been in cbt specifically?

Yes, it's been CBT. I think her anxiety levels are so high that even if she knows what the strategy is - for example, how to initiate a conversation with another child - she has trouble executing it. She's very smart and knows precisely what her issues are, but can't actually get up the nerve to take the actions.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes ssris are used initially to allow the patient to really engage with and become adept in the cbt techniques. The nature of the treatment is that the cbt techniques are unpleasant at first, but she sounds like a child who can really benefit once she gets over the hurdle. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

If possible, I would consider moving.