questions about OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

npainnTN · 01-25-2009, 12:19 AM

hey guys, I have a few questions. I looked back in the threads and couldn't really find the answers I am looking for so i apologize if this is not a new thread and has already been discussed.

My brother has OCD. It started when he was 4 or 5 years old. He is 26 now. For the most part he has it under control now. But when he was younger is was horrible. I felt so bad for him. and i would get so mad at him, which now i know I was wrong. But he almost had to be hospitalized because it was so bad. He was put on prozac at a very young age and it really helped him. I am so proud of him. He has learned to deal with the things that bother him the most. One of his worst problems was washing his hands. they always had germs on them and were always dirty. Germs were on everything, and when I say everything I mean EVERYTHING. Now, he paints cars and his hands stay dirty and covered in paint. So, its much better. Sorry to carry on but I wanted to give a little history so that I can make my question make since.

I was wondering if OCD is hereditary? Could my daughter have it? She has started showing a few minor signs about the germ thing and I am scared to death that it will be like my brother. My brothers didn't start till after my dad left, well my husband left us about a year ago. The things she talks about are minor and I try to relieve her mind and get her mind on something else. Her biggest issue is in the bath. If she sees anything in the water she will have a heart attack about it. She immediately puts her hands on her private areas and says she doesn't want the germs to get into her peepee. I know this sounds odd, but if it could be OCD, I would like to catch it early.

Any ideas? Thought? Advice? It would be greatly appreciated.

jenn

black_lab · 02-03-2009, 11:46 AM

It isn't always easy deciphering a hang-up from an obsession. I have OCD, and I've had to gain the perspective that some of my worries are excessive or irrational. I try to stay as mindful as I can, and ignore these kinds of preoccupations.

I'm not a psychologist, but I'm sure most of us have hang-ups. You could ask yourself if your daughter's worry is intense, and if it's time-consuming. Depending on your daughter's age, would she be able to give herself a bath, and not be fixated on her worry?

As for OCD being a hereditary illness, I don't have enough information to give you an answer. I've done some reading, and it's still isn't clear what causes it.

I wish you the best of luck, and I praise you for your diligence. If OCD can be identified early in a person's life, it could potentially prevent years of hardship.

npainnTN · 02-03-2009, 09:19 PM

Black Lab: Thank you so much for your reply. The things going on with my daughter are just starting and just starting out of the blue. She is only 5, so I still pretty much bathe her. He biggest problem with the bath tub is that if she sees any dirt or a speck of any kind she says that there are germs in there and that they will get into her private areas and has even put her hands there to keep it from happening, or will sit on the side of the bath tub till I get it out.

I am sorry that you have to go through this. I can empathize because I saw my brother go through it. He was REALLY bad. If he heard someone say something it was fact. Like in one of his health classes in school the teacher said something to the fact that it wasn't proven that you could not get AIDS from a swimming pool, (which we know is false) but to him it was a real risk and would not swim in a pool for years. He would wash dishes after getting them out of the cabinet to eat, he put toilet paper on the toilet at home before going to the bathroom and washed his poor hands till they bled.

So, i totally feel for people who deal with this on a daily basis.

I thank each of you for being brave enough to share your stories here. I know its hard. we can all learn from each other and hopefully one day will be able to figure out why this happens to certain people and cure it just like any other disease.

Thanks Black Lab.....You all are in my prayers

Jenn (npainnTN)

duliel · 03-03-2009, 03:40 AM

Hi npainnTN,

I think it's important not to reinforce the behaviour especially since youngsters are particularly impressionable. I can imagine it's really hard to be strict on this kind of behaviour, and normally I would suggest it's just a child's quirk, but from what you have expressed, it MAY be symptoms of early OCD and as you have stated it is best to catch them early and get a hold of them.
Please do not feel that I am suggesting your daughter has OCD!
My suggestion is to just be aware of her predisposition to OCD and be aware of early signs and prevention methods.

All the best!

npainnTN · 03-03-2009, 10:28 PM

Duliel....thanks for your advice....it has been a little better lately....I am other family members have tried to tell her that all it is is where she is getting clean and getting the dirt off of her...she still will want anything that she sees out but she hasn't said anything in the past couple weeks about it getting inside her or sitting on the side of the tub....so hopefully, it is just a phase....i just couldn't imagine going through what my brother went through and wouldn't wish that on anyone....

thanks again....i'll keep you updated...

jenn