My husband won't let me. It does not bother me to go to the store but I do make them wash there hands and stuff. I have OCD and am on medication but ever since about 1 1/2 years ago I have been so afraid of them getting sick. If I find out a friend or school mate is sick I have a anxiety attack and panic. I cannot stand it. I am also in therapy. Any comments about this?
2006-10-31 06:10:43 · 14 answers · asked by Marcie H 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes home schooling scares the wealth of pubic school people. Too bad many people who make money from public education can only see themselves loosing funds when one talkes of homeschooling.
2006-10-31 06:29:01 · answer #1 · answered by Ibredd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sorry I am not qualified to give advice on your medical condition as I don't know much about it.
But I can tell you that it seems to be clearly better for children if they get the occasional cold and disease as that will strenghten their immune system and also seems to decrease the likelyhood of developing allergies later in life.
You wouldn't want to have your kid all possible infectious diseases at once as an adult because they were never exposed as a child and could not develop immunity against them. Also a number of diseases are more severe for adults than children.
I think there is a theory that at least a significant number of allergies is due to an immune system being overactive and starting to react to the wrong things because it wasn't exposed to enough variety and challenges as a child (including dirt and germs), though I am not sure how confirmed it is.
In addition as far as I know the idea of home schooling is not to never expose your kids to others. That would be really damaging for their social development. Home school kids also have regular outings with other home schooled kids. So you would probably end up worrying just as much.
Anxiety attacks are usually not rational, so I don't know if it would help you to read up about such subjects and study biology and get really knowledgeable about things like that. But it may work to keep your mind off worrying. At least I worry much less when I have a hobby which keeps me busy and absorbs me, it may be art or it could be knowledge/studying whatever you find fascinating. Apart from that it sounds very sensible that you go to therapy. Good luck with it.
2006-10-31 06:31:18 · answer #2 · answered by convictedidiot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have OCD not your kids. Let them go to school. Don't punish them for an illness you have. Do you want them to be afraid of germs also? There's nothing wrong with getting a little cold every once in a while. All your kids really need to do is make sure they wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating. That is it, let the kids be kids. Hope this helps and I hope you get over your ocd.
2006-10-31 06:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by dazedandconfused 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it has nothing to do with your child....it's all you. You can't keep your children completely germ free--even if home schooled. Besides, your child will think he's being punished and will not like you for taking him out of school because of your phobia.
You need more therapy and possible a medication? They do have some that work very well for OCD. SSRI antidepressants. Talk to your doctor.
2006-10-31 06:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not a reason to home school. I understand, with your OCD, why you think it would be, but you wouldn't be helping them. A young body can deal with most everyday germs much better than when they get older. The bug you may help them avoid today may assault their systems much harder later on. The body gains its own immunities and becomes better for it.
I caught just about everything as a child (chicken pox, measles, mumps, German measles, etc.) and today I am healthier than I ever was and barely catch the flu when it comes around. I'm not advocating being careless about it, but allowing them a normal life. If they get stressed from being kept home and protected, their immune system may get pushed to the limit.
Good Luck.
2006-10-31 06:18:11 · answer #5 · answered by Book0602 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By all means, continue therapy and behavior modification. Don't stop taking your meds. Let your children lead as normal a life as possible. Do not visit your germaphobia on your children. Do you understand? You'll end up with kids who're as fixated on it as you are. Feed them healthy foods, make sure they have plenty of exercise and sleep and they will be just fine. If they happen to get sick, they'll get well. Discuss this specifically at your next session.
2006-10-31 06:18:34 · answer #6 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T punish your kid for your sickness. EVERYONE gets sick once and a while, and then they get better! They also NEED to get sick to build their immune system or they will end up in the hospital because they won't be able to handle a simple cold.
Maybe you need some new medication, it doesn't sound like this one is working to great for you.
2006-10-31 06:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by someoneoutthere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop doing this to your children. You are affecting them mentally. They will have problems because of you that is not fair. I saw on Dr. Phil ppl who had the same issues as you and the Dr said there is no reason to continue like this there is a Cure!!! Get on line at his site and get advice on what you should do you have a choice. So for your family's sake take action. LET YOUR FAMILY HAVE A NORMAL LIFE. This is your problem stop making it theirs. There is a cure so be a responsible mom and get help now before you mess your family even more. You should ask yourself do i want my kids to be like me? You need to get a different therapist because it is not working for you go on line and Dr Phil will find some one who will really help you.
2006-10-31 06:27:34 · answer #8 · answered by CHAEI 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to learn to hide your anxiety from your kids. Kids often replicate their parents' behaviour and it often amplifies. I had a friend who was compulsively clean .. so much so that you were uncomfortable sitting in her home. Her daughter replicated her behaviour; she took to washing all the bedding every day when she got home from school and getting up at 6am to wash down her bedroom furniture. It was sad because she didn't do the normal teenage things with messy bedroom, playing her CDs, having friends round, etc.
You have to think of how this will affect your kids and try not to rub off on them and be very calm in their presence. Please don't home school them; although you are suffering, they have to be allowed to have a normal life and mix with other children.
Look after yourself. Concentrate on getting yourself well and although you may be feeling very anxious, try your very best to hide your feelings when they are around.
http://www.freewebs.com/spiritualhealing
2006-10-31 06:25:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all want out children to be safe and that's good, but your child needs to learn to socialize with others and, being in the company of those in his own age group is necessary for his growth and balance as a human being.
I wish I could say he would not get germs at all but he will, even at home! Please do not allow your fears to stunt his 'growth'. He will go through everything as any normal kid and he will make it.
Remember, children are very observant of their parents and learn a lot from them. He will become paranoid if you do this to him. Please stop now and ensure you get all the necessary assistance with your problem. Your kid's worth it!
2006-10-31 06:25:00 · answer #10 · answered by SANCHA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes honey! Help might be a good idea, but prayer is an even better one.
Why dont you just pray over your child every night when they are asleep and pray with them in the morning before school.
You just need to calm down and realize there is more to the world than germs and harm. God doesnt want anyone to be in that state of mind about life.
God is bigger (Alot bigger -lol-) than germs and sickness, you need to realize that.
Not only pray for your children, but for yourself that He'll give you strength everyday to over come these kinds of feelings.
He loves you sweetie, God bless you!
xoxoKaila
2006-10-31 06:21:42 · answer #11 · answered by ♥kailababy♥ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋