Obsessive compulsive disorder may make daily life exceedingly challenging and lonely. A loved one with OCD needs a strong network of friends and family to assist guide and support them. It's crucial to comprehend OCD and discover coping mechanisms if you want to be a support system for a friend or family member who suffers from it. We'll give you some advice on how to be a friend or partner who has OCD in this blog article.

Effects of OCD

Living with OCD may be extremely challenging and draining for the one who has the illness, but it can also have a big effect on their loved ones. Relationship tension, irritation, and even guilt can result from ongoing worry, fear, and compulsions.

For instance, a person with OCD can constantly urge their partner to clean or sanitise their surroundings if they have an obsession with contamination. This may be difficult to manage, time-consuming, and even infuriating. Alternatively, if a person with OCD engages in obsessive routines to check items, such as locking the doors or turning off the cooker, it can significantly slow down daily activities and even generate conflict with those who don't understand the compulsion.

Additionally, because they feel responsible for their loved one's wellbeing but may not always know how to help, individuals who support someone with OCD may also experience secondary anxiety. Additionally, they could feel bad for being angry or upset and fear that their actions would make matters worse.

How to Support Someone with OCD

Read up on the condition to get familiar with its signs, causes, and coping techniques. Your ability to relate to your loved one and provide the right assistance will be enhanced by this understanding.

• Pay attention: Encourage your loved one to share their stories. Simply listen to their thoughts and feelings without passing judgement or offering criticism.
• Provide help without enabling: Recognise the distinction between these two approaches. While enabling might mean engaging in rituals or obsessive behaviours, support can involve being there and assisting them in resisting the impulse to do so.
• Assist them with exposure therapy: This method is progressively exposing your loved one to their concerns in a secure setting. Encourage them to create exposure treatment approaches in collaboration with a therapist.
• Take care of yourself: Being an OCD supporter may be emotionally draining, so it's crucial to look after your own needs as well. Establish boundaries and watch out for your need for rest and recuperation.

When to Get Professional Assistance

It could be time to seek professional assistance if you find that your loved one's OCD is really interfering with their everyday activities and causing them great suffering. Treatment for OCD might be aided by professional counselling. In addition, doctors might give prescriptions for drugs to assist control symptoms. If your loved one's OCD is affecting their everyday life, don't be afraid to push them to get treatment.

For further information, you may also visit OCD and Anxiety and sign up for online self-directed OCD & anxiety courses.