Anyone else here’s OCD surround a family member? Like the obsessions are all about something happening to a member of the family/someone you care about?

Yes! Thank you so much for saying this! whenever I have OCD it’s always about my family. I’ll stand in the same spot for ten minutes trying to move without thinking about them, for example, bc whenever I do some part of me decides that a force (not me, more like Death) is going to come and take them. It’s super hard because I feel that if I don’t succumb to my OCD, my family will die. I’m working on overcoming this problem but it’s so hard because of my attachment and love for my family, I don’t want to risk anything even for OCD.

The problem with logicing your way out, you are giving yourself reassurance. That’s not something that will help you beat your OCD, as OCD isn’t logical. The clinically proven way to beat OCD is through OCD and ERP

@sassy_classy_lassie I completely understand what you mean, I feel the same way!!!! I agree that it is so difficult because of how much I love my family and how attached I am to them, just like what you said! I understand your statement that you don’t want to risk anything for OCD because I have the same thoughts! I think that is the biggest thing preventing me from really engaging in my exposure, the “what-if” intrusive thoughts. Thank you for sharing!! :)

@Lizzie it’s so cool to finally find someone who feels the same way! The “what-if” is the hardest thing ever for me, but I hope that someday I can overcome it. I just want to know; is it ever worse for you when you’re not there to see them? For example, if you or your family travel separately or live separately, does your OCD ease once they’re home with you and increase when they leave? I find that the further away I am from my family, the harder it is for me to stop OCDing about them because I’m not there to watch over them, I guess.

Mjs110160: well, sometimes the “clinically proven” way doesn’t help. I don’t mean to sound rude, I just was putting it out there. I resorted to logic when it comes to getting myself out of OCD thoughts; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t really believe anything that’s “clinically proven”, since it doesn’t help everyone. You know? The logic way is really hard, but it does help sometimes. You have to use the power of belief when “logicing” your way out of it. And yes, I totally just created a new word :’D Not only that, OCD is a part of us. There’s no way to truly “beat” it. You can only learn to cope with it.

We** totally just created a new word :’D I completely forgot you said it first :’D

@Skarletrrose I completely agree!! My obsessions surround my mom specifically and I am definitely very attached to her and care about her so much. I use logic to help when I am doing my exposure. For example for a compulsion prevention message I will write “it is impossible that me doing this (whatever it is) can hurt or affect my mom.” I also come up with them with my psychologist. Thank you so much for your great advice!!

Awe, I am so glad it helps you, Lizzie <3 It’s no trouble at all <3 I’m always here to help anyone who need me :D

I see. The only challenge I have with that though is the clinically proven way has been proven hundreds of times in studies, yet it doesn’t work because sometimes the clinicians that provide the treatment don’t do a very good job. I understand though everyone’s experience varies @skarlettrose: did you see an ocd specialist ?

I really agree with your last sentence

“Only way to cope with it” the reason why is that it’s always going to be there, but if you accept that and live anyways, OCD will just sit in the background and not make noise.

Thanks for sharing that with us!!

@sassy_classy_lassie I know that someday that you will overcome it!! Yes!!!! It is definitely worse when I’m not with my family. (My mom specifically as the obsessions surround her) I find it much easier to do my exposure when my family is home and I definitely worry and OCD more when they aren’t here. (Especially for example if it is bad weather and I know my mom is driving) I 100% agree with your last statement, I think it is because I’m not there to make sure they are okay.

*make sure they are okay.