Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Hello, My Name Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is an anxiety disorder, where people are troubled by reoccurring unwanted thoughts, images, impulses or/as well as obsessions and repetitive rituals i.e. checking the door multiple times, over cleaning etc. People with OCD are usually aware that their symptoms are irrational and excessive, but they find the obsessions and compulsions impossible to resist.

When loving someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder…

it is important to not enable or validate their OCD within your household, friendship, relationship etc. Participating in their rituals (cleaning for example) or compulsions, making accommodations for their fear avoidance can actually do the opposite of helping, it is incredibly detrimental to their remission. Little by little, encouraging them to minimize their indulgence in their OCD will garner more positive, substantial results. 

Okay, now, how do I interact with them?

1) Recognize and be congratulatory of their achievements in managing obsessions or compulsions, regardless of how small it may seem. OCD sufferers often mention that family and friends don’t recognise how difficult seemingly easy tasks can be, so recognising a job well done alleviates their anxiety. 

2) Avoid personal criticism; the sufferer knows how annoying and debilitating OCD is, they suffer from it! Remind yourself that it is the OCD  you are angry at, not the person. 

3) Encourage your family member or friend to resist their compulsions or obsessions as much as possible. No one can be ‘cured’ overnight. 

4) Whilst it is important to check in on your family member or friends' progress, do not define them by the disease. Maintaining a normal routine, and placing limits on talking about OCD is liberating for the person who suffers from it, and their loved ones.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Misnames

Neat Freaks

Source: International OCD Foundation, Beyond OCD; Researcher: Devmi Epaarachchi