Hi there, I have had OCD since the longest I can possibly remember. I was diagnosed when I was around 8-10 years old (bad memory sorry), but that’s only when my family actually took notice that it was making me causing me a great amount of stress/anxiety. So I’ve been living with OCD for basically my whole life really and it’s very hard to go against my compulsions most of the time. I used to be in therapy but since I thought I was getting better my OCD made me avoid going back again for help, and I stopped taking my medication as well. That was a few years ago now, possibly 3, but now I’ve just been suffering on my own. And this is where things get complicated so, I congratulate you for still reading (I appreciate it thank you). I have a super great group of friends who are all aware of my OCD, but don’t really understand it because I mostly tried to keep to myself. I would mention it whenever it got really bad but I didn’t want to be a bother so I stayed quiet. Now I have a best friend in this group and he’s the light at the end of the tunnel for me. He’s the one guy that I can talk about anything and everything with, so I started to open up to him about my OCD. The more I talked the more he learned basically, and of course he would open up about his own problems. One day I went to hangout with him and he told me that he thought he had OCD, so after a few months of kinda walking him through what he could be experiencing, he decided to see a therapist. He came back and told me he had been diagnosed with OCD, now I won’t say what kind because that’s his personal business but now I’ve just been trying to help him out when he’s with his therapist. Anyway, long story short, I find it hard to help him in these hurtful times for him and I could use some advice on how to care for him. I know you would probably think I’d know exactly how to help him since I’ve dealt with OCD my whole life, but now everyone is the same when it comes down to it. So that’s my life story at the moment (sorry for making it so long for people to read), but if you have anything to say please do. Have a nice day!

Stacy

Date posted: 6y

You seem like such a sweet person. I had ocd all my life too but it started interfering with my life in my 20’s. I got diagnosed in 1989 that I had ocd. I’m better now then in 1989 but my psychiatrist up the seroquel on me. Since that. I got worse.

stf

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6y

Hey good for you trying to help and support your friend even while youre struggling! First I'd say it's not at all unusual to not know how to help others who are suffering the same way you are. We dont always know what helps ourself or what we need from others, so of course we wouldnt always know the same for others who are struggling. From years of therapy, as well as figuring out what I need from my family, I can tell you a few things you can do to help. 1. Dont offer reassurance. That is, dont tell him that what he's worrying about isnt true. Reassurance doesnt help, it can make the thoughts worse. 2. Offer reality checks, help him stay grounded in reality. Do something interesting with him, or just talk about how you feel without analyzing or judging it. 3. If he wants, support him when he tries to not do compulsions. Often ill tell my mom "mom I really want to take another shower!!!" And she has learned to encourage me not to, and to stay with me while I resist the compulsion. Theres probably more, but I dont want to be preachy or talk too much lol. Maybe in helping your friend, you'll learn more about what you need from other people too. I hope any of this made sense or was at all helpful. Good luck!

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