My younger brother (21) is intensely germaphobic (hand washing, wearing gloves to touch anything, making as little bodily contact as possible with surfaces), and it’s affecting his sleep and daily life as a whole. I need advice as the older brother (27) on how to help him through this. Please.
I know it can be so difficult to see someone you clearly care about and love go through this. Is he open to treatment at all? NOCD does offer a free 15- minute call to see if he would be interested in treatment. NOCD also offers a caregiver education session. If it is to the point where he is hurting himself physically or not functioning or you feel he is a harm to himself or others then you need to look into inpatient treatment and contact crisis services in your local area. If you just want to help him to realize there is help available I would recommend providing him with lots of education on the topic, maybe check out some youtube videos on contamination OCD. It is commendable that you want to help him. He is lucky to have someone trying to support him.
@NOCD Therapist - Stacy Q. Thank you, I’m not sure he’s a threat to himself right now, there’s just not a lot of hope. He’s up super late at night washing his hands so his sleep schedule’s a mess, and I don’t think his self-esteem is really all there. We have him lined up with his therapist from when he was younger for tomorrow, I’ve set up a call with NOCD for today to see what I can do.
@Anonymous - That is good to hear, it sounds like he is very blessed to have such a caring support network around him.
It’s great that you’re trying to help your brother, but he needs to get on this app himself and WANT to get help—unless he’s under age, then parents can get him into ERP therapy on his behalf/go along the therapy with him.
It’s great that he has you in his corner trying to understand and help him! ❤️ Having a supportive person / people helps so much! For what it’s worth, I have been there and done all those things myself (minus wearing gloves, but washing hands after touching literally anything even in my own home and being very careful not to brush against doorways, changing my clothes if they came in contact with any surface, etc. it was EXHAUSTING) and I am doing so much better since starting therapy through NOCD a few months ago. I hope you are able to get him started on the road to recovery. I agree with Nica that he has to want it for himself and be willing to put in the work. This app is a really great place to start! It helps a lot to know you’re not alone and not just going crazy and to learn as much as you can about OCD for a start, and to read success stories and see that things CAN get better!
Hi all, I'm currently struggling with getting my hand washing under control. I have a rather intense fear of illness (due to nearly dying at 11) and as cold season approaches, my washing gets to the point of cracked bleeding hands. Any advice on how to approach this? I am also in therapy however would like to ask you all just incase!
my ocd is controlling my life. I can’t stop washing my hands and I always think they have to be clean before I go anywhere or else my whole day will be ruined. I hate the thought of being unclean and I don’t want to spread germs. I wash my hands even when I don’t have to. Anyone have any advice please?
Hello, i have ocd and find myself washing my hands after touching almost anything that I feel is unclean. I worry that if I don’t wash them then contamination could occur or it could negatively affect me somehow. It’s gotten to the point where I think so unrealistically of when I should or shouldn’t wash them, causing me to not know what to do so I just wash them to be safe. Could anyone help me with ways to fix this issue or lessen it please.
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