Posted by Diane J. on August 27, 2001, at 23:25:52
In reply to Medicate 9 year old for OCD? Your thoughts please, posted by Waterlily on August 27, 2001, at 20:53:56
Waterlily,
My 10-year-old daughter has been taking Paxil since she was 5 1/2 years old. Back then it was obvious that she was suffering with overwhelming anxiety. She was unable to function in school and she cried all the time. Paxil made a positive difference in her life. Everyone who knew her noticed the change.
I think you might want to get a second opinion regarding your daughter's diagnosis. We had our daughter see a child psychologist for a year before we realized she needed the medication. I don't mean to say it could take that long, but if you are concerned you might want to seek more information, if not from another psychiatrist then from the one who thinks she has OCD.
I hope you find the answers you're looking for. I know it is difficult.
Diane J.
> My 9 year old daughter was complaining about anxiety and depression, so I sympathized with her and then took her to the psychologist who had diagnosed her ADD. I was rather surprised when the psychologist told me that she thought my daughter had OCD because she doesn't do anything much I'd call a 'compulsion' except maybe crossing her fingers a great deal of the time. Maybe she has some obsession and broods on some things, and that is what the doctor is referring to. She has recommended I get her on a anti-OCD medication (I understand SSRI meds are good for this). I want only the best for her but I hesitate to get her on medication for a few reasons. She seems much of the time to be quite normal and happy so I have a difficult time thinking that she NEEDS medication. (On the other hand, she's very moody and irritable a lot of the time too.) Also, I have been on antidepressants for the past 6+ years and after several failed attempts at going off the medication, I am convinced that I will continue to need it for the rest of my life. Once my daughter starts I just don't think she'll ever go off either. I intend to discuss the subject with her psychiatrist, but he doesn't have an appointment open for several weeks. I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have on the subject.
poster:Diane J.
thread:76656
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76669.html