What is OCD
What illness does OCD stands for?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What are thoughts or worries that pop into your mind and won't go away, even when there's no reason to be worried?
Obsessions
Thinking that an obsessive thought is dangerous makes OCD worse.
Explain The Noise at the Window.
If you think it's a burglar, you feel scared.
If you think it's a tree branch, you feel calm.
What is your therapist's role in ERP therapy?
Like a coach, to guide me on how to RIDE.
What % of children in the United States have OCD?
2-3%
2-3 out of 100 kids in a room
1 million kids
What are the actions/behaviors you do over and over again to make the thoughts go away?
Compulsions (or) Rituals
Doing a compulsion to escape the anxiety of an obsession also makes OCD worse.
Explain the Vicious Cycle of Avoidance using the trampoline example.
If I'm afraid I will break my leg on a trampoline, I won't feel afraid if I just don't go on. But I will always be afraid the next time.
If I face my fear and get on when I'm afraid, I'll learn there's nothing to be afraid of anymore.
What is anticipatory anxiety?
When you feel nervous before doing something.
Like stepping into a cold pool or getting ready to RIDE.
It's not usually that bad once you start doing it!
True or False?
OCD is caused by eating too much candy.
FALSE.
No one knows for sure what causes OCD exactly, but it is highly genetic.
Name some types of obsessions.
Contamination/Germs
Bad thoughts
Feeling something has to be "just right"
Hoarding
When we face our fears, we get used to them.
This is called habituation.
Explain the Cold Pool example.
We all want to avoid/escape getting into a cold pool.
But if we wade in a little at a time and then wait, our body gets used to it.
To make ERP Therapy easier, we use gradual exposure.
What does that mean?
Instead of riding up the big hill first, we will start with smaller hills and work up to bigger hills.
OCD can cause kids or their families to feel CAGES,
which stands for...
C-Confused
A-Angry
G-Guilty
E-Embarrassed
S-Sad
Names some types of compulsions/rituals.
Washing/Cleaning
Asking for Reassurance
Confessing/Apologizing
Repeating
Checking
What is Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP) therapy?
How is it like taking a bike RIDE over a worry hill?
R-Rename the thought.
I-Insist that YOU are in charge.
D-Defy the OCD, do the OPPOSITE!
E-Enjoy your victory, reward yourself.
True or False?
Medication can sometimes help decrease OCD symptoms and make the RIDE easier.
TRUE.
It help on the RIDE, like training wheel for a bike!
True or False?
OCD can be cured.
FALSE.
OCD is a lifelong illness that can come and go, but cannot be cured.
But it CAN be helped by medication and therapy!
How do OCD symptoms cause problems for a kid?
It can take up too much time.
It can cause the family to feel frustrated.
It can make a kid feel guilty.
And many other things...
Your parents role in therapy is to RALLY for you.
What does this mean?
R-Recognize when OCD is happening
A-Ally with me.
L-Lead me to the RIDE
L-Let go so I can learn
Y-Yes! Reward and praise.
True or False?
ERP Therapy helps OCD get better after doing it one time.
It only works if you quit when it's hard.
FALSE!
Therapy will take time.
Some days will be easier and some will be harder.
Success is in small steps so it is important not to give up!