- Username
- ddb
- Date posted
- 3y ago
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Any advice..? My girlfriend had OCD, specifically OCPD. What can I do to comfort her when she’s feeling anxious/ out of control, dealing with intrusive thoughts, wanting to act on her compulsions etc? I can’t physically be there for her when she breaks down, talking to her through texting and calling for comfort doesn’t help too much sometimes. I want to help her and make her feel as loved and safe as possible, but I need help to make sure I can provide her with that
Let me know if you need help/advice with anything! I’m willing to help with anything u can, I’ve had OCD on going on 7 years, I’ve been to counseling, I’ve been to neurologists, I’ve been stuck in compulsive thoughts/actions, I have irrational thoughts, and I’m here to help anyone who needs it! ?
Hello everyone! I am not the one having OCD, but my boyfriend does, and it is combined with depression. He hides it pretty well (he doesn't want to make me or any other person sad) and acts like everything is normal most of the time (makes everyone laugh etc. - like many other depressed people) even though I know he suffers a lot. We know each other on a very deep level and I am the only person who he has told about having OCD and depression, and I just want to help him as much as I can. The thing is that he has a lot of negative thoughts most of the time and if he doesn't do something, for example, claps his hands 8 times, he believes 100% something bad is going to happen to me, like I'm gonna get hurt or something. At the moment it is not possible for him to talk to specialized OCD therapist as there is not one in the area where we live in, but I am confident that I can help him or, even better, guide him, so he helps himself, so that he, at least, suffers less from this. What advice would you give me? I know that I shouldn't be too pushy or telling him what I think he should do. I just want him to know that I'm there for him and that, even though I cannot understand what he's going through, I can at least educate myself about OCD (I've seen some self-help books you posted here) and talk to him about what I've read, because I think it is better to talk about it rather than him hiding it and suffering in silence.. This is how I thought I could help him: When I see or when he tells me that compulsions are happening or going to happen, I'm gonna let him know that he is not going through this alone and that he can trust me. Then I will ask him to tell me what kind of thoughts are going through his mind at the moment, and if he, for example, tells me that he thinks something bad is gonna happen to me I'm gonna tell him to try not to do any compulsive behaviour and try to, no matter how hard it is at the moment, accept that thought and repeat after me: You are safe. I am safe. We are always going to be safe. Only good things happen to us and always will. I believe that if this is done constantly that it will make his OCD more managenable (and depression as well). I would really appreciate any comment, expert or from a person having a similar experience that my boyfriend has. I really want to help him. Thank you! ❤
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