setbacks are awful but…

[2boys2girls]

After several successful days of resisting compulsions, our son had a terrible setback. We know setbacks are to be expected and try to be as supportive as possible. It’s so heartbreaking to see him struggle with all of his fears.

A little background: he’s an adult who was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 7. He was placed on medication which worked wonders for a long time. As a teenager, he relapsed. His meds were changed and all was good again until his early 20’s. Therapy has been in-patient, partial hospital, intensive out-patient, medication changes, dosage adjustments, ongoing ERP with counselors specializing in OCD treatment, etc.

The past couple of weeks have been extremely hard. He has so many fears mostly revolving around the belief that he has a deadly illness that will he’ll pass along to family and loved ones. Yesterday was a bit better as he resisted numerous compulsions and reassurance seeking, and set some goals. We will take that as a win. We will continue to pray for his strength and determination. One day at a time, and sometimes one hour or minute at a time.

Thank you for listening.❤️🙏🏻

[Natureloverpeace]

It sounds like he had a big win yesterday!

[lesshopeless]

hello! I am sorry to hear that he is suffering, I have been through it many times too, but a few days ago I read this article and it changed the way I look at setbacks. I hope you can read it and that it will be helpful to your son. It is a very entertaining and informative article. And that's why we see the setbacks (which are very ugly) as an opportunity to reinforce what we have learned and to disconnect haha that connection of fear that we have and thus weaken it until it us completely gone. Much strength and you are not alone!

nothingworks.weebly.com/

[Ctillou]

Praying...as a person in late 50s and having this from about age of 12, I empathize. Small wins, baby steps and marvelous support system is what keeps me going when things at times get more intense. I have a support group throughNOCD that has been so helpful. God's blessings

[Phoenyx]

What I call OCD episodes or relapses will come and go. I've been experiencing OCD for 20 years now and sometimes is hell, sometimes you live normally as anybody else. A support system matters a lot and he is so lucky to have you.

[2boys2girls in reply to Phoenyx]

Thank you. This is what he experiences as well; living normally, then brutal relapses. You’re in my prayers🙏🏻

[Phoenyx in reply to 2boys2girls]

Likewise!