- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
Great question! I'm assuming you're the sufferer rather than the family? If so I'd suggest the following: 1) Ask them to learn about OCD and treatments, especially ERP. 2) If possible talk to them when you're having a good day. You're more likely to give them good advice on how to help rather then potentially unconstructive advice. 3) Help them to help you. Do you involve them in any compulsions? (I do this a lot l, reassurance seeking!). 4) Be honest with them
- Date posted
- 3y
I used to involve close family members in compulsions and rituals reassurance seeking but I think start of meditating then when your at your most relaxed try do a small exposure see what happens
- Date posted
- 3y
I have ocd and have never had anyone understand me I have been to mental hospitals I’ve seen doctors and been on medication and I’d feel better but I still had ocd I thought I was being treated but I wasn’t ocd needs exposure and response therapy it needs doctors and therapist that actually understand ocd alot of places mite have ocd listed on there stuff they help wit but that just means they can prescribe medicine for you not that they can treat the ocd itself so going to an inpatient place and participateing in the program isn’t gonna help if there’s not an ocd part we’re your actually working on your ocd and unlearning ocd habits and thoughts but tlk to your family and have them watch videos of the ocd you have and let them no wat bothers you and wats hard for you so they can be patient wit you.
- Date posted
- 3y
I'm not a therapist, nor have I ant expertise other than, lacking a therapist, I had to devise the own ways of dealing with my OCD. Firstly, the most commonly used technique here: ERP. 1) It's best to do for the first time if you're in a mood where you are slightly angry, but also calm and alert, with the view of "I cannot be asked to do this compulsion". If you can, do this on your own. 2) Expose yourself. Either let yourself think something you don't want to, or refuse to complete a compulsion. If needed, do something you want to change, such as touching something you view as contaminated. 3) Sit with the uncertainty and panic. This is the hardest bit, but, especially on your first time, you HAVE TO DO IT. The first time isn't only you doing it, it's the confidence of you CAN do it. After a while, the stress will subside. 4) Continue exposing yourself, and ignoring day-to-day compulsions. Secondly, a few things I do to deal with a compulsion I can't do even if the stress is too much, for whatever reason: 1) Counting in my head, or aloud. 1,2,4,8,16,32,64... usually works well. 2) Picturing myself doing it, and forcing myself to believe I've actually done it. 3) Trying to distract myself, usually with a book, or just waiting a few minutes for the initial panic to subside. Be careful with all of these: they can make it far worse in the short term, and it is best to get a proper therapist. Hope this helps.
- Date posted
- 3y
I had started to do this I have rituals I do and I count and if I land on a bad thought name I’d have to redo watever I was doing and be thinking a good thought so And sometimes I’d try so hard not to think a bad thought that I’d actually think it so I started not careing bout the bad thought I’d do my ritual and count and not care wat I was thinking I’d land on bad numbers I was letting go I was trying not to repeat good names all day long in my head but that was a little harder cause it’s hard not thinking these names when I’ve done it for awhile but I still need more help I need medicine and help from someone wit exposure and response I can’t wait to get into a treatment place.
Related posts
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
Hi everyone, I’m Cayla. I’m a mom that’s lived with OCD since childhood, but my breaking point came more recently after having my son. I was consumed by terrifying thoughts—What if I hurt him? What if I did something awful without realizing it? I was so afraid of my own mind that I couldn’t be alone with him. The shame and exhaustion were unbearable, and I convinced myself I was broken. In 2024, I finally sought help. ERP therapy at NOCD was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it saved my life. Even now, I have tough days, but I know I don’t have to be ruled by OCD. When my 12 year old daughter began showing signs of OCD, I felt overwhelmed with guilt. I never wanted her to go through what I had, but I knew what to do. I told her that I have OCD too and made sure she knew it wasn’t her fault—and that she wasn’t alone. One of the hardest parts of this journey was trusting someone else with my daughter’s OCD. I knew how vulnerable it feels to share intrusive thoughts, and I wanted her to feel safe. Her NOCD therapist was able to establish trust and genuine empathy from the start, and that relationship gave her the confidence to face ERP head-on. Seeing her build that trust made me certain she was in the right hands. ERP has helped both of us reclaim our lives, and it is beautiful to see my daughter managing her condition and making visible progress. Parenting with OCD while raising a child with OCD isn’t talked about enough, but I know so many parents are struggling with these same challenges. If you have questions about managing OCD while parenting, helping your child through ERP, or breaking cycles of guilt, drop them below—I’d love to share what I’ve learned. I’ll be answering all of the questions I receive in real-time today 4-5pm ET.
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 19w
Hi everyone! My name is Tara, I’m a therapist here at NOCD. Before becoming a therapist, I worked various jobs in arts, textiles, prop styling, I worked in restaurants... I basically did what I could do with an undergrad in art living in Brooklyn, with a secret hope that I might someday pursue a career in mental health. Fun fact, I held onto that hope for 10 whole years before I decided to take a risk and apply to grad school! I wanted to become a therapist because I just knew that this was a field where my mind could work at its best and do the most good. Anyone else here with ADHD may understand. I simply cannot retain long term focus on something if I don’t absolutely love it, and I absolutely love this work. Having a job where my sole purpose is to connect with others and help them tap into their inner strength is an actual dream come true. I specifically love working with Exposure and Response Prevention and treating OCD, since the whole point of ERP is to show you you’re braver than you think you are. And it works so, so well. If you have a fear, and you think you “can’t” approach it, know that you most likely can. It might take some time to prove that to yourself, but with time and a steady dose of discomfort, you’ll get there. I’m sure that “discomfort” part didn’t sound appealing but let me ask you this - does OCD make you feel uncomfortable? Why not put some of that discomfort to work, in your favor? If you’re struggling with OCD, or you think you might be, know that you probably already have what it takes to thrive in ERP. You’re here. You recognized that you were struggling, you decided to find help, you downloaded the app, and you started reading through posts. I’m sure somewhere along the line, you felt at least a little uncomfortable, and you decided to take the next step anyway. That’s ERP in a nutshell :) Please ask me anything about OCD, your current symptoms or ERP. I’ll be responding over the next 2 days to questions.
- Date posted
- 16w
Hey guys! My boyfriend has said recently that he doesn't know if he's strong enough to continue with our relationship because of my OCD. He wants to see me overcome my symptoms and learn to live a healthy life with OCD, but my anxieties and obsessions are starting to really affect his life. I understand his reasoning, it's hard to see someone you care about struggle with OCD, especially when it starts to affect you too. I'm asking for tips to deal with my compulsions in the relationship. I HAVE to know the answer to things and sometimes that leads into arguments because even with apologies and discussions I can't let things go, even if they genuinely don't matter or are miniscule issues we have. It's a healthy relationship otherwise but I feel horrible because it's impacting him so negatively, that's the absolute last thing I want to happen. I care for him deeply and he cares for me too, so I don't want my OCD to be a reason we break up but I fear it's headed in that direction. I'm starting therapy soon, but until then what are some things I can do to stop my ROCD from impacting him? I know sitting in the guilt and anxiety of not completing my obsessions will help, but I'm wondering if there are other things I can do to maybe remedy some of the damage already done.
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