SPD/OCD?

When I was 15 (10 years ago) I was diagnosed with OCD. I have never felt comfortable with the diagnosis as all my anxiety stems from smells and textures. As I learn more and more about SPD, I feel that I have found a "label" that fits me better. Are there any documented cases or stories of people being misdiagnosed with OCD when it really is SPD? Also, are any medications ever used to manage SPD? Thank you -- your site has been invaluable to me.




Documented cases? I bet there are! Unfortunately, I do not know how to put my hands on them. However, more importantly than that... I can assure you there will eventually (if not already) be people who visit this site, or are part of our SPD Adult SHARE online support group that may indeed have similar stories to yours. Therefore, let's ask the visitors... Are there any adults out there reading this post who have also been diagnosed with OCD, but suspect, or found out, they have been misdiagnosed and really have SPD? Tell us your thoughts or story below (in the comment box).

Your second question... are there any medications used to treat SPD? There are no specific medications that manage SPD symptoms. At this point, the only successful treatment is through Occupational Therapy and companion programs that address the underlying reorganization and integration of the nervous system. We are still in the process of proving this definitively; that OT is the most effective therapy/treatment for SPD. But, even though we are still working on the official documentation based on case studies and research, I know hundreds/thousands of children and families (adults too) who will atest to the effectiveness of Sensory Integrative OT. (You will find some studies on the SPD Research page.)

So... my opinion? Get an evaluation done by an Occupational Therapist and get yourself into treatment for SPD with that OT, if it is warranted. Need help finding one? Click here!

Also, know two books you, in particular, might be very interested in are:



I'm so glad you may have finally found the answer you are looking for! I'm sorry for the years of misdiagnosis. Know that you are not alone! Good luck finding an OT and getting yourself some help, now that you know what it REALLY might be!




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Apr 29, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		me
by: Cassie

I am a 12 year old and i have had spd my whole life . i dont get to do stuff like ride rides at fairs because i have tremendous panic attacks. When i was younger i had a "melt down" every school morning about my socks and shoes and believe me i cant help it and to top it all off i have ocd and exercised induced asthma so when i do pe or just walk i cant breath so i am bigger than most kids. when you have spd you are usually depressed or feel all alone. well i do have two true friends that love me for who i am and understand my problems and excepts me.there are alot of disadvantages of spd but i cant let them control me or my feelings. to anyone out there with spd YOU ARE PERFECT even if you dont think so!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		I am the Mom of the (then) 22 month old...
by: Anonymous

He is 28 months old now....
I reread this message that I had placed six months ago....wow! Alot has changed for us since then!

We live in the US, have had an evaluation and he is receiving OT and PT.. He has definitely been diagnosed with SPD, but also SID and MPD. We found out only weeks ago, that he has a chromosomal issue...He has a chromosome 6p25.1 deletion and a 7q21.13 duplication. Causing loads of problems for him! According to his geneticist, there is no other child in the worlds with his chromosome aberration, so we have no clue what the future will hold! This scares me to death, but what can I do? He is a little ray of sun shine for uus, so we will just smile and carry on!!

If there are any other SPD moms out there who want to talk, kid talk, please add me as a friend on facebook!! Vicki primrose Purdy
Dec 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		whats wrong with me
by: help

I have a strong feeling I have something close to this. Im well into my teens and I have the urge to swing hours a day. I have considered it to be coping with loneliness and depression. I carry my ipod around and drown the world out as I day dream of the world as i wish it was. My parents don't know what to do with me. Im pretty popular at school and have a stable home, I just still feel unwanted and lonely.
Oct 21, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		OCD and SPD
by: Anonymous

My 10 year old daughter has OCD and SPD and I am seeking information on how they co-occur/interact. It is proving very difficult to locate anything other than a brief mention to co-occurrence in any literature. I knew she had symptoms of OCD since the age of three, but seems to have sensory difficulties since she was born. It appears that her inability to integrate her senses kicks off the OCD at times.
Jun 02, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		phenobarbital effective for SPD?
by: Anonymous

22 month old with SPD
He beats his head on the floor
spins in circles
plugs his ears while screaming at the top of his lungs
Smarter than a whip
very wide vocabulary, but unable to connect two words together, yet!
Seizure disorder
likes taste of food, but will not swallow. Spits it all out.
Constantly wanting to swing.

As soon as he was started on phenobarbital for his seizures, the head banging stopped!! The love [need} for swinging went away too! ? ?

Is it all in my head or does the phenobarbital have an effect on SPD?....Or was this just a weird timing thing?
Oct 16, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		There IS help in Canada, if you know how to find it!
by: Kia

Hi there,

I felt a little tug in my heart when I read your post here. Several months ago, I was in your position: knowing my child had SPD but not knowing how to find someone who could "diagnose" it and treat it. After much research, I was able to find a Pediatric OT in my region and we're now receiving help. Unfortunately, we have to pay for it ourselves, but so far we feel it is worth the cost.

Please, if you'd like to know more about how I found an OT, visit my blog at: http://goodmum.wordpress.com/

Also, if you go to this site:http://www.coto.org/default.asp

The above site is the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. This is how I found our OT. Please let me know if I can be of any more assistance. I hope you find help soon.

Kia
Oct 13, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Feeling isolated in Canada...no-one understands SPD here!
by: Anita

Hi,

My story is long so I will just tell you the basics to start: my 10 year old daughter has SPD (I know because I have researched it for over 3 years now) but the doctors here won't listen to me. She also has Septo Optic Dysplasia (non-severe case) and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (non-severe case as well); both of which she has been diagnosed. She needs occupational therapy but because the doctors here don't know anything about SPD, they try to insinuate that she has ADD/ADHD. It is very frustrating.

The first time I read about SPD was the day I understood my daughter for the first time.

I also read Michelle's story on this site and it is so much like my own. I couldn't believe what I was reading!

Please, if someone could get in touch with me; maybe you know of a way I could go about finding the proper care for my daughter, or maybe you could just lend a reassuring ear...

Thank you ever so kindly,

Anita
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

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