Help?! My mom has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?!?

Question

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/ocd.html

My mom is EXACTLY like the example, Sarah, who washes her hands too much! I'm positive she has OCD, because she's always been washing her hands or a towel for up to 5 hours!!! She's so obsessed that she hardly ever comes out to eat lunch or dinner, and would rather eat cereal by herself. And when someone asks her to get out of the restroom, she gets out, then washes in the kitchen or the second bathroom!

I don't know if I should tell her or not..or tell anyone. I certainly do not want to over-drug her, or take her to a psychiatrist/counselor, etc, because I'm Christian and don't do that stuff. Any advice?

Answer 1

Just a simple antidepressant will probably be all that she needs, something like Zoloft.

Ask her if her mind races when she lies down to sleep. That is a most worrisome symptom of ocd. Tell her that an antidepressant will stop that. It will take her a couple of weeks to get over the side effects and start feeling better.

Any kind of doctor can write a prescription for antidepressants, doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

Do you have any symptoms? It runs in families but can come out in different ways, like nervous tics, religious obsessions, etc.

Answer 2

The fact you're Christian shouldn't stop you from taking your Mum to a doctor, counselor or anyone else for help. I'm Christian and disabled myself and have been seeing doctors (and counselors) all my life. It may be an idea to have a word with your GP and get advice from him. I hope you find the two links below helpful and wish you the best of luck.