Montana girl, 8, is suffering crippling obsessive compulsive disorder that’s so bad she refuses to wear CLOTHES due to ‘static feel’ – as she travels 1,000 miles for ‘life-changing’ therapy

By Liam On Dec 6, 2023

A young Montana girl will travel more than 1,000 miles for therapy to help her crippling obsessive-compulsive disorder, which has become so bad that she finds it difficult to put on clothes.

Claire Hamnes, 8, suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Mother Nichole said her daughter started showing signs of OCD at a young age, which led her daughter to take medication and attend therapy sessions.

Claire is one of an estimated 2.5 million Americans who struggle with OCD, while scientists are still unclear about the true cause of the disorder.

Nichole described her daughter as “outgoing and fun,” but noted that she struggles to even get dressed for school because her clothes have too much static.

Speak with KPAXNichole told the outlet: “At worst, she couldn't look at her clothes and how they were arranged.'

Claire Hamnes suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Claire's father, Erik, said Claire describes the clothes as having too much static.

Despite the current medication and therapy sessions, the family is looking for further help for Claire.

By July, Claire's obsessions and anxiety had escalated to the point where Nichole and Erik considered residential treatment for her.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition in which patients experience persistent or unwanted thoughts.

They may also have compulsions, where they feel compelled to do something over and over again, and obsessions, such as uncontrollable and recurring thoughts.

An estimated 2.5 million Americans have OCD – half of which, or 1.25 million, have a severe form.

Those in late adolescence, ages 17 to 21, are at greatest risk for developing the condition, but it can also develop in childhood.

Scientists are not clear on the cause, but believe it is a combination of genetics, the brain and the environment.

Patients are treated using talking therapies – which aim to help a person face their fears and obsessive thoughts without trying to 'correct' them – and through medications such as antidepressants to change the chemical structure in the brain.

There are two main types of the condition:

Mild OCD

This term refers to milder symptoms of OCD – a condition that is thought to be relatively common, affecting up to 30 percent of the population.

Patients have symptoms such as recurring thoughts about daily activities, such as whether they locked the door, or mild compulsive behavior, such as frequent cleaning.

Severe OCD

This refers to the intense form of the condition in which compulsions and obsessions are so strong that they disrupt a person's daily life.

Symptoms may include unexpectedly backing up while walking with friends or an obsession with cleanliness.

Patients may also have an obsessive need for symmetry and orderliness, such as all can labels facing forward.

The condition can be so severe that people have difficulty performing daily activities such as eating, drinking, shopping and reading. Some may even become housebound.

Patients often also have other health problems, such as depression and social anxiety.

Due to her age, pediatric OCD resources for children in the United States are extremely limited.

“Our state, and even some surrounding states, have no real programs and there are really no other programs in this country that take children as young as they are,” Nichole said.

'When she was about two and a half years old, she started expressing a lot of concerns about sensory problems.

“It's really hard to follow her rules because hers is 'just the right OCD' and so whatever her brain tells her is just right is the rule we have to follow.”

“There are some good days and some good moments. There are also very challenging moments.'

Nichole and Erik have managed to find a residential treatment program called Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin, which they hope will help Claire.

The facility accepts children as young as eight, but when the family found the center this summer, Claire was only seven.

Nichole told KPAX that they were told to contact the facility once Claire turned eight, which was last month, and that they would be placed at the top of the list for treatment.

Unfortunately, the family contacted the center as advised, but were told they would have to wait another two to three months until a place became available.

Nichole said she would drive with her daughter from their home in Billings, Montana, to Wisconsin and stay there for the rest of her treatment.

She said her daughter was “sad and angry” when she found out she couldn't go to Rogers Behavioral Health as early as originally thought.

“It lasts six to eight weeks, but from what I've heard from other parents online, their child has been there for over three and a half months.” Nichole said.

Insurance will cover most of Claire's stay at the Rogers facility, but Nichole will have to stay near the facility to be with her daughter.

As such, the family has a GoFundMe page to help them finance treatment.

“Due to Claire's age and the severity of her obsessions, the hospital suggests having a parent present throughout the program, which is estimated to last six to eight weeks,” said a post on the fundraiser.

After Claire completes the residential program, a temporary outpatient program of several weeks is highly recommended.

“The family is looking at thousands of dollars in expenses on top of what they have already spent on Claire's treatment and their own mental health.”

Nichole added, “The fact that we don't have these resources within our state is just devastating.”

Johns Hopkins defines ODD as a type of behavioral disorder that can make children uncooperative, defiant, and hostile.

The university also added that a child with ODD may argue a lot with adults or refuse to do what is asked of them.

While children with ADHD may have difficulty paying attention and controlling impulsive behavior.

Mom Nichole said her daughter started showing signs of OCD at a young age, which led her daughter to take medication and attend therapy sessions

Nichole and Erik, seen here with Claire and her brother, hope residential care will help their daughter

People with ADHD have little control over this behavior because it stems from underlying neurological differences.

ADHD can cause significant functional impairment across the lifespan and in all areas of life, and without appropriate intervention it can lead to significantly adverse outcomes.

However, with evidence-based treatment and support, people with ADHD can embrace their strengths and interests, learn to cope with their challenges, and live full and rewarding lives.