2

Difficulties growing up with OCD and Tourette Syndrome

Being diagnosed at the age of 7 with Tourette Syndrome was a challenge. Thankfully, though, my parents were so understanding and caring about it. They tried everything in their power to get me help and try to make things better. Finally, after a long struggle and battle with Tourette, they finally got better my senior year in high school.

Finally, I thought, life is going to be easier now. Boy, was I ever so wrong. Being diagnosed a little over a year ago with OCD has been a struggle. Mainly because with my parents being so accepting with my Tourette, it was a hard change when they didn’t accept my OCD. They didn’t even believe I had it!

After going to Dare to Dream, we met a wonderful woman named Sue Connors who helped my parents understand my OCD. Sadly, though, what they learned apparently was only temporary, because my father once again does not believe that I have it. My sister never believed it, and I’m praying to God that my mom still believes it — or will at least still be with me through the rough times when its hard for me to handle.

I don’t think she fully believes it either, but at least she’s there for me. My dad, on the other hand, does not believe that I have it. He just thinks that I have too much time on my hands, and that’s why it acts up. He thinks is exists because of certain events I had done that had ruined my summer — that that’s why I am having such difficulty.

And even worse, whenever I try to explain it to him, he winds up yelling at me. He just doesn’t get it, and I don’t know how to make him believe me. One of the reasons why I want to go back to college so much is because I will finally be around people who understand me and my OCD, and who love and accept me for it.

My roommate believes me and is there for me 100 percent of the time. Part of me just wants to get out of this house and just go back to college, where I am accepted and there’s no one to ride me about how I’m too much of a drama queen, or how I’m making things worse for myself, or how its my fault that my OCD acts up.

I just want to be somewhere where I’m accepted, and at school, I feel that way. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, but its just frustrating because they don’t fully understand. Hopefully one day, they’ll understand, or maybe my OCD will just go away –who knows.

All I do know is that everything happens for a reason and there has to be a reason why this is all happening. If nothing happens in the end, at least I’m stronger from it.

SHARE THIS POST

KatieD

2 Comments

  1. Thanks so much, but we live in New Jersey and I dont know how they would feel about talking to someone about it,I don’t know they’re weird lol. But thank you so much for the support and for offering, that honestly means the world to me.

  2. My heart feels for you! But don’t give up hope and continuing to ‘educate’ your parents! Continue to talk to them, even though it’s hard. I am the mom of 2 children with OCD, one worse than the other (my son who has Tourette’s is worse). I live in Atlanta and would talk to your parents if they were nearby! It’s hard for parents to accept; it’s not that they don’t love you or necessarily believe you, it’s just hard. But again, don’t give up on them! I hope you are getting meds to help you!!! My son got soooo much better on high dosage of Zoloft. Good luck. Keep fighting the good fight to get yourself understood and get help! God bless you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *