Considering med for tic-related ocd? Any advice?

[city mom]

My 13 year old son's tics are pretty mild right now but his OCD compulsions are really bad. He has ADHD, TS, OCD and anxiety. He is currently med free and takes supplements which have helped with the tics.

The symptoms which are the most bothersome are his CONSTANT nail biting and skin picking. He also regularly destroys things w/o thinking by picking at them until they fall apart. He also has to have things done in a certain way and once he gets an idea he has to do it. He is also socially withdrawn.

I have been researching meds for OCD, tics, etc. which have low side effect profiles and found it overwhelming! Can any of you share what has helped you or your children with these type of symptoms?

Thank you!!

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[vrie]

My almost 10 yo has the same disorders. She takes concerta and clonidine for the ADHD and tics (respectively). Also the clonidine cuts the over-focussing a little bit of the OCD. One wonderful thing about these disorders is their variability-- just when you get used to one, it'll change. My daughter used to pick holes in her skin and pull out her hair. Thankfully, those subsided over time and were replaced by perfectionism.

I haven't used any meds for OCD as of yet, although that could change at any time. My doc likes Tenex for multipurpose use and I've been looking at luvox somewhat.

I hope something helps.

[vrie]

Oh yeah, mostly we just weather out the OCD. I used to have her wear full-cover clothes/pajamas and she could pick at the seams if she needed to pick. Then I could just fix the seams.