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Parents Helping Children with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) who are also Developmentally Disabled (Mentally Retarded)

Written by: Gunborg Palme, certified psychologist and certified psychotherapist, teacher and tutor in psychotherapy.
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 27 Jul 2008.

Abstract:

Parents can learn behavioural therapy methods in order to better help developmental disabled children with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Question:

How can individuals who are developmentally disabled and who also have OCD be helped by other options than medication?

Answer:

Parents or a medical orderly can make an appointment with a behavioural therapist to learn the principles of behavioural therapeutic treatment concerning OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). With the therapist as a tutor, the medical orderly, who knows about the mentally retarded individual's special difficulties, can apply the knowledge that the behavioural therapist teaches.

The mentally retarded individual cannot abstract and generalize so well, and subsequently may have taking in the therapist's knowledge. But if the medical orderlies have that knowledge then they can begin to apply it at the precise moment when it's needed.

To get the best results in treating OCD: Combine behavioural therapy with Prozac/Fontex/Fluoxetine, 80mg/24-hour period. Discuss this with a psychiatrist.

More information
Sources, references: http://web4health.info/en/answers/source/anx-ocd-children-treat.htm
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