Posted by cmcdougall on May 1, 2002, at 12:53:55
Dear Babblers,
I just spent the last two hours hyper-focused on writing a very detailed letter about the subject line - my 12 yr old stepdaughter. Wouldn't you know it, right before submission I was kicked off line! I can't be bothered re-doing the whole thing so here is a summary.
12 yr old, healthy female, not yet menstruating, treated for OCD w/ Luvox 100mg/2xday for the past year. This child had touching/counting rituals that severely impacted her daily activities (strong history of OCD on both sides of family). The Luvox seemed to be keeping the symptoms manageable. The child experiences a lot of anxiety at school because she tries so hard to hide the OCD. Add that to the "normal" troubles of being a girl in 6th grade, and you can just imagine what this innocent is suffering.
Recently "Girlie" wanted to try out for the drill/dance team. Her mom encouraged it, thinking it would help her fit in if she made it. I secretly prayed she wouldn't make the team, thinking (upon reflection of my own 6th grade experiences) that fitting in with that group would just create additional stress.
Her mom stated that during try-outs, she had never seen Girlie so animated - eyes darting back and forth, etc., however she made the team. Later that week, after a fight w/ her "best friend", Girlie sliced her upper arm w/ a pair of scissors! She tried to blame the cuts on the dog, but when pressed admitted what she had done. Girlie described an immediate feeling of relief and calm after cutting. She claims this is the first time, but I wonder...
Pdoc (child specialist) was called immediately and is switching Girlie from Luvox to Paxil. I do not know the downward titration schedule of the Luvox, but I warned her mother that there could be withdrawal symptoms. Anyone out there know what they might be?
Girlie is now taking 30mg Paxil per day. Her OCD symptoms seem to be spiraling out of control right now. Non-stop touching/tapping and counting, running up and down the stairs, etc. Sunday night, Girlie said she wanted to kill herself! Her mom thinks the thought of being in school and having to work SOOOO hard to hide her disorder are too much to bear right now. I think thats probably right. Girlie has an appt w/ pdoc later this week. He wants to rule out BP - may add a mood stabilizer. I have not noticed any BP behaviors, but as the "wicked" stepmother I only see Girlie every other weekend.
I know some of you are cutters and OCD sufferers. Please, please help me to help this innocent baby and her mom. There is a lot of bad blood between my husband (Girlie's daddy) and Girlie's mom. They do not communicate at all, and I know this stresses the poor kid out even more. I have a fairly good relationship w/ the mom, and she will listen to what advice I can pass along.
Thanks in advance.
Love and luck,
Carly
poster:cmcdougall
thread:104638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104638.html