Category Books

What to Do When Your Child Has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and Solutions »

Authors: Aureen Pinto Wagner Ph.D.
ISBN-13: 9780967734712, ISBN-10: 0967734711
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Lighthouse Press, Incorporated NY
Date Published: September 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Aureen Pinto Wagner

Book Synopsis

There are over one million children in the US who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. These children often have uncontrollable worries and engage in seemingly senseless rituals. Parents and school professionals often feel helpless and frustrated as they struggle to understand and help the child stop the bizarre doubts and habits that take over the child's mind and life. Now, there is hope and help.

Dr. Aureen Wagner brings you the latest scientific advances in the treatment of this beguiling disorder along with her many years of experience in treating children and teenagers. Using the metaphor of the Worry Hill, for which she has received international recognition, Dr. Wagner presents a powerful step-by-step approach that countless children have used successfully to triumph over OCD. Her skill, compassion and expert guidance will provide new hope, energy and resolve to help children and their caregivers conquer OCD.

Designed to be used alone or with the children's integrated companion book: Up and Down the Worry Hill.

	Introduction	17
Part I	The Essential Facts
1.	The Prison Of The Mind	25
	What is OCD?	27
	The Many Faces of OCD in Children	31
	Shifting Sands: The Course of OCD	39
	The Emotional Cages of OCD	40
	Frequently-Asked Questions	43
2.	Setting the Record Straight: What's OCD, What's Not?	47
	Normal Rituals	48
	Normal Fears	50
	Normal vs. OCD: What's the Difference?	51
	Telltale Signs of OCD	55
	Disorders Associated with OCD	59
	Frequently-Asked Questions	74
3.	Evaluation and Diagnosis	79
	Hurdles in the Evaluation Process	80
	Finding Clinicians to Evaluate Your Child	83
	A Biopsychosocial Framework	85
	What to Expect During the Evaluation	86
	How You Can Prepare for an Evaluation	91
	Frequently-Asked Questions	94
4.	How Does OCD Develop?	99
	Misfiring Circuits in the Brain	100
	Serotonin: the Chemical Link	102
	Pandas (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)	103
	Of Genetics and Family Trees	105
	Stress	106
	Parenting Does Not Cause OCD	108
	Can OCD Be Learned by Imitation?	110
	The Vicious Cycle of Avoidance	111
	Thinking Styles	113
	Frequently-Asked Questions	114
5.	Treatment of OCD: Up and Down the Worry Hill	117
	Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): the Treatment of Choice	118
	BT, CT, CBT & ERP: What Do all the Initials Mean?	119
	The Premise of CBT	120
	Exposure & Ritual Prevention	121
	Cognitive Therapy Strategies for OCD	129
	CBT Steps for Children: Ride Up and Down the Worry Hill	131
	Typical Steps in CBT for Children: What to Expect	134
	Plusses and Minuses of CBT	139
	Success in CBT: Who has the Best Chances?	141
	Other Therapy Approaches	144
	Frequently-Asked Questions	148
6.	Medications for Childhood OCD	153
	Medication Choices for OCD	153
	Reasons for Considering Medication	155
	What to Expect from OCD Medications	157
	Finding the Right Medication and Dosage	160
	Side Effects of Medications	164
	Behavioral Side Effects of OCD Medications	172
	When Medication Doesn't Seem to be Working	174
	Frequently-Asked Questions	176
Part II	What to do
7.	The Battle Plan Against OCD	183
	Accept the Reality of OCD	184
	Lead the Charge	185
	Be Informed	186
	Find the Right Treatment and Clinician	188
	Simplify Your Lives	194
	Brace Yourself for the Ups and Downs	195
	Unlock the Emotional Cages of OCD	200
	Frequently-Asked Questions	203
8.	Taking Care of Yourself	207
	Why You Need to Focus on You	208
	The Web of OCD	209
9.	Readiness for Treatment	231
	Why is Readiness Important?	232
	The Keys to Readiness	232
	Effective Communication with Your Child	235
	Tips for Successful Communication	237
	Child-Friendly Explanations for OCD and CBT	239
	Persuading the Reluctant Child	247
	Strategies That Impede Readiness	260
	Frequently-Asked Questions	262
10.	GUIDE, RIDE and RALLY: Critical Roles in CBT	263
	Guide, Ride and Rally	264
	Handing Over the Charge	264
	How to Rally for Your Child	266
	What to Avoid: Strategies That Don't Help	274
	Frequently-Asked Questions	279
11.	CBT With Your Child: The RIDE And RALLY In Action	281
	Contamination and Cleansing	281
	"BAD Thoughts" and Mental Rituals	284
	Moral Dilemmas and Checking	289
	Confessing and Apologizing	292
	"Just Right" and Repeating	295
	Just So or Not at All: Perfectionism	297
	Fears of Harm and Reassurance Seeking	301
	Magical Thoughts	305
	Hoarding	308
	Frequently-Asked Questions	311
12.	Parenting Challenges	313
	The Perfect Parent	314
	Daily Dilemmas: Did I Do the Right Thing?	315
	The Nuts and Bolts of Parenting	316
	All about Reward and Punishment	325
	Parenting Through the Tough Times	333
	Dealing with Frustration, Anger and Panic	338
	Strategies for Everyday Challenges	352
	Frequently-Asked Questions	357
13.	OCD Goes to School	361
	The Fall Out of OCD at School	362
	To Tell or Not to Tell School Personnel?	363
	What Schools can Do to Help	368
	Barriers in the Home-School Partnership	382
	Special Services or Not?	385
	Advocating for Your Child	388
	Strategies and Solutions at School	391
	Frequently Asked Questions	400
14.	"Where do we go from here?"	401
	Recovery is a Journey, Not an Event	402
	From Adversity to Opportunity	403
	Slips and Slip Recovery	405
	A New Vision	407
	Giving Back	408
	The Wings to Fly	409
	Resources	415
	Support Organizations	417
	Web-based Resources	418
	Index	419