Post 5: Interview with mom

Although I did post about my life with OCD I wanted to interview my mom and see how my childhood OCD made her feel. As my parent my OCD affected them just as much as it did me. I also wanted to get her point of view seeing many parents as well as teachers have to deal with children with OCD. 

(Side note, I wanted to video tape the interview but my mom said she was to old to be on the internet, laughing at this I told her I would just type out the questions and answers.)

Kathleen Schulz (my mom)

Q. When did you first notice I had OCD?

A. “Actually I did not notice you had OCD. I was not sure what was wrong with you when you were little. You washed your hands a lot and had a lot of issues at school, but other then that you were a pretty good kid. I just thought you were a child that wanted clean hands and you were over weight which I thought caused the issues at school.”

Q. How did you find out I had OCD?

A. “After a teacher suggested I take you to a doctor to get you check for ADD is when we found out. I can remember it so well the doctor first thought it was ADD as well and then saw your hands, he ripped the RX script out of my hand and said she doesn’t have ADD she has OCD. He told us that some therapy would help suppress the compulsions.”

Q.  What was therapy like for you as a parent?

A. “Well like any other illness it was very scary for me because I was scared for you. The therapy was once a week for a half hour. I remember picking you up at your post (I had safety duty at the end of the day) with a cheeseburger happy meal. Driving down Greater Mack to Morross and down to Bomont Hospital. The first time I was nervous for you, but a few times going it was easier for both of us. Many of the sessions were just between you and the theropist, but I did not mind because I really started to see a change in your behavior.

Q. What is your biggest memory of my OCD?

A. “I would have to say all the loads of towels I had to do. You literally used a new towel each time you washed your hands and you washed your hands about every 5 minutes.”

Q. Do you remember any of the tips the theropist told you to use with me at home?

A. “No, that was a very long time ago, but I do have to say what ever happened in the sessions and the things we used at home worked.”

Q. When did you notice that my OCD came back?

A. “When you just stared into to your purse and counted all cards in you wallet. I remember asking you what you were doing and you said nothing. It was a few weeks later you told me you went to the doctors and they put you on meds to ease the compulsions. It was easier to talk with you about your OCD when you were an adult and you knew so much about it.”

Q. How did my OCD make you feel?

A. “As a parent, which you will find out sooner then later, you think that anything that happens to your child is your fault. OCD is genetic and it was hard realizing that I might have given you this horrible mind game disease. But on the other hand it made me realize that I may have a small case as well and may need to seek help. I some times have to check things a lot before I am confident that it is ok. Also your sister says I may have a small case of hording going on.  Like you I think your fathers death brought this on for me as well. I don’t want to say it is easier to deal with because you have gone through it but it makes it tolerable because I see you getting better and stronger with the OCD so it gives me hope.”

Q. Mom I am nervous I may pass this disease onto one of my boys, what are feelings about that?

A. “Shannon you are a great mom and if you do pass this disease onto Sebastian or the new baby you will deal with just like you do everything else. You have an advantage, you know what to look for and you know what to do to help them before it gets to out of control. Your family is strong and you are strong, I have no doubt that if Sebastian or the baby has it you will deal with it like a champ!”

My mom and I are very close, but this interview bonded us together in a hole knew way. As a mother now myself I worry everyday that I may pass this disease on to my boys, but seeing my mom deal with it and having her support I know we, as a family will deal it. This interview brought back a lot of memories for us, some good, some bad, but overall it was fun and informational. I don’t want to brag but I do have the best mom and role model in the world.