Ugh, OCD hand-washing--what to do?

[Ali]

Jacob'sDad
FWIW I found your idea very interesting and creative. I have no real knowledge of this issue either but I just wanted to acknowledge your thought process.Ali

[denise3099]

To the OP: This may be kind of a dumb question but does the water need to be a certain temp when he washes his hands? Does he work hard to get it "just right"? What if he was unable to? What if the hot water was off so that the water was very cold? Would that break the cycle or would he just wash his hands with cold water?

I'm sorry if that is a dumb suggestion. I really know very little about the topic but you did say it was probably sensory and not because of perceived germs. I just wondered if a certain desired sensation no longer HAS the same sensation, does it break the cycle

I hadn't thought of that. i don't think it's an issue but I haven't watched him do it. I'll find out though. He washes at school too so I wouldn't think so, but it's worth a try. He says it's not germs, they just feel like there's something on them. So it seems tactile rather than a germ concern. I think I need to give him something else to do--he might need to travel with silly putty or something and chew gum for the spitting.

I thought all the variables of D were hard, but brother, D's got nothin' on psych meds. There's like half a dozen different categories, and dozens of meds in each, with so many different dosing options and formulations. not to mention behavior modification, etc. I know he'll be fine but we just have to get through this hurdle--and then they'll be another.

I just want to get these kids married off!

[Lee]

Originally Posted by denise3099

I I think I need to give him something else to do--he might need to travel with silly putty or something and chew gum for the spitting.

These are pricey but they help me focus when I need the tactile sensation in order to really concentrate - I have tried many things and these ARE IT for me.
http://www.getbuckyballs.com/

They have generic versions on Amazon that do ok as well. They do tend to wear out after a bit - the finish wears off and can lightly stain your hands. With that said, they are very soothing to me and satisfy my need to fidget without annoying others.

[Lee]

Also, I highly recommend an occupational therapist. They help kids work through these things and deal with them in everyday life.

[emm142]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this before, but I was thinking about it today. I have been handwashing more recently with the warmer weather. Sometimes when my hands are warm it feels kind of like there is something on them. Perhaps your son is doing this to an extreme. If this is what is causing it, maybe you could find a less damaging way to soothe the feeling, like wiping them with a damp/cold flannel. Just a thought!

[deafmack]

Originally Posted by denise3099

Well, from a practical standpoint his hands are red, raw, and bloody. I suppose it's possible for things to run their course, but I tend to be proactive b/c I feel the longer and more often you indulge a behavior, the harder it is to break it. I think behaviors can be self reinforcing and etch nueropathways in your brain and it's hard to get out of the rut. I prevent stimming and such behaviors as much as I can b/c I think breaking the cycle is the only way out of the behaviorial loop he's stuck in. I could be wrong.

I agree with you. Could the hand-washing be a sort of self-stimming. I know my Nephew who is blind will self-stim especially if he is bored. His parents and I both will divert him to some other activity if we see him self-stimming.
I agree with you that the hand-washing could be a form of self-stimming and
someone needs to divert his attention away from that when it is obvious he is doing more than just normal handwashing. Also maybe insisting that he put on some kind of moisturizer such as a hand lotion that is unscented might help as well. Just a thought.