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My daughter (14) has always been an anxious person with some OCD issues. For quite some time now, she does this thing.... she has her iPod on listening to music and rather than dance or just listen to the music, she goes back and forth in her room. She will kind of hop/skip sideways from one side of the room to the other and then take long strides (a slow run) back to the other side. She will do this for HOURS - ON - END.... One time, she had done it so long, she developed a callous on the ball of her foot.
I've asked her time and again why she does it. She doesn't know. I've told her to stop. She says she can't. I've taken her iPod away --- she just gets anxious and nervous. I wanted to secretly videotape her doing this and show it to her pediatrician but I don't know if that's the right thing to do as it may cause a trust issue between she and I.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here???
She has OCD already diagnosed? This behavior IS repetitive and she says she cannot stop and she gets anxious without doing these actions..even though they don't make "sense".
It does sound like a different presentation of OCD indeed but of course, you should not take any comments on CD as part of a diagnosis!
(But, there are many ways OCD can present itself in our lives...)
I would get an MD visit/pediatrician, ask this:
...referral to a psychologist/psychiatrist...sounds like a specialist is going to be necessary to get her the help/treatment she deserves.
Good luck, let us hear from you about your girl.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amisi
My daughter (14) has always been an anxious person with some OCD issues. For quite some time now, she does this thing.... she has her iPod on listening to music and rather than dance or just listen to the music, she goes back and forth in her room. She will kind of hop/skip sideways from one side of the room to the other and then take long strides (a slow run) back to the other side. She will do this for HOURS - ON - END.... One time, she had done it so long, she developed a callous on the ball of her foot.
I've asked her time and again why she does it. She doesn't know. I've told her to stop. She says she can't. I've taken her iPod away --- she just gets anxious and nervous. I wanted to secretly videotape her doing this and show it to her pediatrician but I don't know if that's the right thing to do as it may cause a trust issue between she and I.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here???
No, she was never formally diagnosed with OCD but she has all the symptoms and has since she was very young.
I'm going to try and get her an appointment with her pediatrician next week and get a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
What do you think about me videotaping her (secretly) doing this? I don't want to cause any trust issues between us but I want him (the doc) to see exactly what I'm talking about.
That sounds like a good idea.... taping it and then talking to her about showing the MD. If she freaks, then I won't show it to him but I'll describe the behavior.
She doesn't voice that she has a problem --- I mean, she knows she has anxiety and OCD but she doesn't see it as a huge issue
I also just remembered something. Before this jumping back and forth thing, she used to do this hand flapping thing. She did that for years! From when she was very young (3 or 4 up until recently) She would flap/shake her hands back and forth and sometimes stare at them intently while doing it. I just realized that when she stopped doing that, she started with the jumping back and forth.
Her teachers haven't noticed anything. To the contrary, they love her in school! They say she's very polite, respectful, focused, organized, etc etc etc.
Is her behavior interfering with any aspect of her life? Is it causing her grades to suffer? Is it causing her to reject social interaction (oh - no thanks ma, I don't want to go out to the mall with Sue - I'd rather stay in my room and jump around the floor)...? Does she miss dinner over it? Does she find it hard to get dressed because she's too busy jumping around to stand still long enough to change her underwear? Does she do it instead of brushing her teeth? Is she neglecting her homework in favor of her dancing?
If the answer is NO to all of those questions, then I suggest you just let her do it. As long as it's not harming her, or interfering with her overall life, then let her have her odd quirky outlet. If it bothers YOU - get a rug for her room so the thumping doesn't make the glasses fall off the kitchen cabinet shelf downstairs.
OCD is only a problem, if it's problematic. If it prevents normal living. If she's otherwise a normal healthy and social 14-year-old then she's probably just fine. If it bothers HER - then definitely help her with a visit to the doctor.
I know what you mean, AnonChick. It's not interfering with her friendships, school, etc.
I asked her about it today and she said she "wishes she could stop but it's impossible". She feels "embarassed" that she does it but she doesn't know how to stop and feels that she "can't" stop.
I'm going to be calling her pediatrician this week and getting a referral to a mental health professional (psychologist or phsychiatrist).
Now, in addition to her jumping/skipping/hopping back and forth, she's been staying awake all night. The other night, she was up until 6:30am, slept until around noon, and then was up last night ALL night and only went to sleep about an hour ago (1pm) at my urging. Even on school nights, she'll be up until 2 or 3am and then get up for school on time and do fine during the day.
I'm seeing this all pointing to OCD / manic-depressive disorder. I'm so nervous and concerned about this. I do NOT want her on meds --- in my opinion, they can do more harm than good. My husband is absolutely against meds and more than likely won't agree to her taking anything anyway.
Now: Prescription medications are given to combat problematic physical and/or mental conditions. There is a
*significant reason...and a significant benefit* or no meds would be prescribed.
Once she has been evaluated, please, PLEASE don't ignore/keep her from using meds if prescribed... could be devastating. There ARE SOME psychiatric conditions which CANNOT improve without aid of medication.
Why is it you have strong feelings about avoiding medications, do you know?
FYI: you might remember I am med prof and also use/respond well to antidepressant therapy. Talk therapy of course is helpful too-but at times they must be used in conjunction for best results.
Once again, I hope all goes well-take care of yourself right now. too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amisi
I'm going to be calling her pediatrician this week and getting a referral to a mental health professional (psychologist or phsychiatrist).
Now, in addition to her jumping/skipping/hopping back and forth, she's been staying awake all night. The other night, she was up until 6:30am, slept until around noon, and then was up last night ALL night and only went to sleep about an hour ago (1pm) at my urging. Even on school nights, she'll be up until 2 or 3am and then get up for school on time and do fine during the day.
I'm seeing this all pointing to OCD / manic-depressive disorder. I'm so nervous and concerned about this. I do NOT want her on meds --- in my opinion, they can do more harm than good. My husband is absolutely against meds and more than likely won't agree to her taking anything anyway.
I'm just so sad about this.....
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