Expert: Sharon Crandall - 4/26/2008

Question
my 10 year old was dx with ocd and tourette on friday and ever since wants to sleep with us. Im fine with it considering he is still adjusting to his clonidine and valium. My husband thinks its too long and needs to go back in his room. I know he afraid and just wants comfort from us. Is this bad?
Thanks for your reponse

Answer
Dear Kiersty,

First of all, did you get a second opinion on his condition?  Before I put a child on serious medication I would certainly have several doctors look at him and give their opinion.

Secondly, I am not a doctor and so do not know why he is afraid--why he is feeling anxiety but I sure would talk to more than one doctor about it.

Thirdly,  It is not good for him to sleep with you but I would let him be with you for a little while and then tell him that he can stay awhile and then you will put him into his own bed.

If he feels panicky, then he might have the opposite reaction to medication than he should have. I know that when I take sleeping medication I feel very panicky until it wears off.  It keeps me half asleep and half awake and is a horrible feeling.

Since I don't know your son I do not know if he tends to want to be babied or if this is unusual behavior.  If this is highly unusual I would stay with him until he falls asleep.  Even if you have to put a recliner by his bed and be with him for a period of time I wouldn't get him used to sleeping with you.

I would also check online for support groups and look for alternative healing methods that might be better than medication.  

I know one product that feeds the brain and helps it function better and that is neu beCalm'd.  Go to www.neurogenesis-inc.com/58357 and look at this nutritional product that helps kids with ADD/ADHD, etc.  That might help him a lot. I do know people who have had serious nervous problems that have benefited greatly from that product.  One woman would tear chunks of her hair out. This product helped her tremendously.

Other parents can share with you their experiences and you can probably learn a lot in how to handle this situation.

God bless you in your challenge.

Sharon Crandall