#WellnessWednesday: Someone I Care About Is Not Dealing With Their OCD, What Can I Do About It?

[BethIOCDF]

Do you have a loved one that is not doing well with their OCD and you're having a hard time finding ways to help them. Here are some tips that may be helpful

1) Learn as much as you can about OCD and its treatment.

2) Express your concerns to the OCD sufferer about the OCD and the impact you feel it has had on his life and your own.

3) During this conversation, you are there to express your concerns and perhaps to set some limits, but not to change anybody’s mind.

4) Nagging, threatening, or shaming your loved one with OCD will not make them change their behavior.

5) Normalize your own life as much as possible.

To read an in depth article with more tips on how to help a loved one struggling with their OCD please click the link below: iocdf.org/expert-opinions/e...

In what ways have your family members been helpful in your OCD treatment journey?

[Sallyskins]

The impact OCD has on those around us can be huge. But some people don't know how to react to OCD. This is understandable, because it's a baffling disease to those who haven't experienced it - and to those of us who have!

Shouting at someone and hectoring them that they're not getting the right treatment makes them feel as though they're to blame for it. I've had the 'you're not getting the right treatment' stuff shouted at me. It's not helpful.

It can also be off-putting when someone watches you struggling and tries to encourage with 'well done' and 'you're doing really well'. One feels self-conscious enough doing an OCD ritual without other people letting you know they're watching and cheering you on, helpful though they mean to be.

Also, telling someone with OCD to 'snap out of it' is just irritating.

How far should you go to accommodate or facilitate OCD behaviour? Most therapists say - not at all. But practically speaking, this isn't always possible. It's best to set boundaries, but making no intervention or adjustments when help is really needed doesn't help - it just leaves the OCD sufferer stranded.

On the whole, I've found it most helpful when friends and family let me get on with OCD behaviour without comment. Occasionally I need rescuing - but apart from that, just let me get on with it!

[BethIOCDF Partner IOCDF Staff in reply to Sallyskins]

Thank you for sharing Sallyskins