Son with Nervous Habits

I would absolutely talk to the doctor and not only address the behavior but something very important he told you. "He needs to do it to balance out THE FEELING IT MAKES WHEN HE SWALLOWS." Perhaps there is something medically going on when he swallows that needs to be addressed.

Might be worth looking into it with a holistic practitioner. He made need certain nutritients that he is low in. I can fill you in more if you call me.

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A.

Has there been any change in his life recently? Stress?

I would talk to the doctor just to make sure it's not something physical, but I don't think it's anything to worry about.

When I was about that age (around puberty age) myself and 2 of my best friends had weird "tics." One whistled CONSTANTLY, the other cracked her fingers in a weird way and I made weird humming noises. People (our parents, lol) HATED to be around us. Eventually though, we all grew out of it.

Good luck!

Hi H..
Before you go to the doc. I think you should try an elimination diet, like the Feingold plan. I was about to schedule an appointment with a counselor and am now thankful I didn't. I am not anti medication, doctor or anything like that. I would just rather find out if there is an outside cause that can be eliminated prior to medicating my children.

My oldest had a few nervous habits similar to what you describe. He and I also both would get terrible anxiety pains. We eliminated artificial flavors, artificial colors, BHA, BHT, TBHQ and high fructose corn syrup and those nervous habits he had, plus the anxiety pains in both of us have disappeared. Then we purchased The Feingold plan, which encompasses those that we have already eliminated plus artificial sweeteners (which we never used anyway) and salicylates. We are working our way through eliminating the rest of the things they recommend now, so I cannot comment on how the rest of it works yet.
You have to be diligent in reading labels which can be frustrating at first, but once you find replacement products for the ones you have been using, it is fine and doesn't take any extra time at he store.
Whatever advice you choose, I hope your son feels better. Good luck.

Hi! You should definitely speak to your doctor. Medication is 1 OPTION, not always a remedy. May I suggest speaking to the school pyschlogist or guidance counslor. I'm a teacher and I see kids who have have nervous habits and the counslors are a big help. They can offer your son strategies that will help him when he's confronted with a new or uncertain situation. Good Luck!

check with a dentist.. he may have a dental problem.. good luck

I wouldn't hesitate asking the doctor about it. Do you notice he does it when he is not busy or involved in something or all of the time. He may just be doing it out of boredom. I would try not to make his self conscious of it. If he can't help it calling attention to it may make it worse. I think OCD is more of repeating rituals not making sounds. There are so many other things that a doctor needs to address. I would just give a call to put your mind at ease.

You may want to consider bringing him to a homeopathic practitioner or doctor. They have a very holistic, natural approach w/o the pharmaceutical medications that a conventional doctor might consider.

This definitely sounds like OCD. The best "treatment" for OCD is exposure therapy, not medication. I would discuss it with your son's doctor and get a referral. Sounds like he is feeling anxious or stressed about something, even if he doesn't know what it is. Talking to a therapist would probably be helpful.

Hi H.,
I think everyone at one time or another has a touch of OCD. I used to count steps into my apartment, at 11 and still at 17, and everytime I visited my mother until I was 21 - there was 13, I'm 37 now and I still remember.

I also counted blocks of cement in the sidewalk on my way to the bus stop and would never step on the cracks. I couldn't talk to my friends unless I walked in the street or on the grass - I was too distracted with counting.

I eventually grew out of it, without medication. I'm a little off my rocker sometimes, but I also have 4 kids, with my oldest going into college in a couple weeks, and a little one almost 3.

Why don't you talk to his doctor, let him listen to his breathing, maybe he has allergies, or humidity is effecting his breating? It may be a simple fix. Remember, you do have the option to say no to drugs that may be perscribed, for ocd, adhd or anything else.

If there is nothing physically wrong, maybe something social. Friends doing something that he knows is wrong? Is he around someone he is not comfortable with? too many people, someone not paying attention to him? (I don't mean you or anyone in the house, maybe he has something to say to someone, and doesnt know how to get their attention - it might make him nervous, without knowing it)

Good luck

You are right to be concerned. Go have him evaluated. And don't forget, you are the one who decided is medication is the right choice. Good luck.

It sounds like a tic. You don't necessarily need meds. I would schedule an appt. with a neurologist for an eval. Keep making him aware of it without making him feel bad about it. It will help when he's in school.

Hi H.,
My nephew, 7 years old, has been seeing a therapist for his nervous ticks. About 6 months ago, he started rolling his eyes back and forth from time to time, and told my sister-in-law that it makes him feel better which means it's definitely OCD related. He is the product of my SIL's first marriage, and stays with his Dad some weekends, and it's really noticeable after he stays with his father. There's a lot of drama in the family which they think may have caused this with my nephew, which is hwy they sent him for counseling. It seems to be helping a little, although he still does the eye-thing.

OCD can start really young...it's nothing to be taken lightly. I'd look into getting him evaluated. Good luck!
Lynsey

Hi H.,
Could be a nervous tic, could be obsessive compulsive disorder, could be something else. I would see a doctor. They can suggest medication but you are under no obligation to use it. They don't get to "want" to medicate him, it's not the doctor's decision and if this is not endangering your son, you don't have to. But you could get some testing/evaluation and maybe some information on how to help him. Good luck!

i have a couple of friends with younger children who have 'nervous-type' ticks or habits. i would mention it to the doctor, just as a matter of keeping an eye on it. the one said her specialist told her a lot of kids develop them and the go away. her son's are more extreme. the othe one has a h/o ocd in her family. her mil is a hoarder. also, coming from a life-long nailbiter, don't talk about it. i heard someone once advise a parent that the best way to get rid of you kid's bad habit is to not talk about it. my family still nags me about nailbiting and it's still a point of control.

Hi,

I am not a doctor, but I think it may be a good idea to discuss your son's the symptoms with his pediatrician. If there is something wrong, and it's detected early, it will be easier to take care of.
You've mentioned that you're affraid his doctor will medicate him, but as a parent you always have a choice on wether or not to accept the diagnossis and/or medication; and if you don't like what your pediatrician tells you, then you should get a second opinion.

Best of luck!