Family support

Not sure if this is the proper forum so my apologies in advance if it is not - but I am a parent that is struggling to try and help one of my children with ocd - my problem is that they don't think they need help and they give me many excuses for not talking about it or just not talking at all - I do think talking to someone and getting some professional help is best for them but they prefer not to at this time and the ocd in my opinion is getting worse. They are dropping into a state of isolation - any advice on how to approach this and my child so they do not push further away from us and further away from getting some professional help ? Thank you.

issphra 🫶🏻

Date posted: 28w

I wouldn’t push them to speak to you or anyone who isn’t a professional, especially since compulsions like “confessing” and reassurance-seeking can manifest, aside from them simply not feeling comfortable. However, I would encourage them to see a professional. I’m not sure exactly how to approach that, but I believe it’s really important. As someone who has struggled with extremely severe OCD, along with OCD-induced depression, I genuinely wish I had gotten help sooner, even if it had been forced upon me. At the very least, building a connection with a professional—even if it’s not directly about OCD at first—could be helpful. Establishing that trust and relationship is a key step, even before they’re ready to dive into treatment. I hope this helps a bit :)

Anonymous

Date posted: 28w

Thank you for the input - I hear that phrase alot "I wish I get help sooner" and that's what is so hard to sit back and wait for them to choose to get help - I will always be there for support - I was hoping to find a professional that would allow me to set up and join in initial session with my child to help get "the ball rolling" but I am being told my child has to initiate and make that call - I hope and pray my child opens up to someone soon 😞

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 28w

May I ask how old your child is? This article may help you. I also suggest going to IOCDF.org, as you may be able to find support groups for family members of people with OCD. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/common-struggles-for-parents-of-children-with-ocd#h-what-parents-and-caregivers-can-do-to-cope-with-a-child-s-ocd I was diagnosed when I was 31. I knew I needed help for a long time, but just like the old saying “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink,” I had to get help when I was ready. How do you approach the subject with your child, and how often do you discuss it? In general, providing resources to your kid (articles, YouTube videos of people with OCD, etc) may be helpful, so they can hear stories of people with lived experience. Make sure you are a non judgmental presence they can be around. Let them know you are here for them, if and when they choose to seek help or discuss it. I do not have children, so I don’t know how this feels from a parent’s POV, but I am stubborn lol. Try to have open and honest discussions about mental health. Make sure it’s not a shameful topic in your household. Having OCD can feel very isolating. It’s a very misunderstood disorder, and talking about it with people who don’t have OCD can be very difficult. I hope this helps, and I hope your child finds the help they need.

Anonymous

Date posted: 28w

It's hard to discuss with my child since I fear upsetting them so I admit I do the "nice" conversation thing to keep dialog going - They are 27 yes young - I have said a few times we should get some help and offer support but it typically is not received very well - My wife and I are looking into support groups that we can join to see how else we may be able to help

PBubblegum

Date posted: 19w

My partner has severe OCD

Hello i got this app hoping to maybe find some support for my partner i thought about reddit but reddit has become a hateful place and i figured this is a safe place. i love my partner more than anything and he’s been struggling with OCD his whole life he has a hard time talking about it with anyone because it’s too painful he’s stated that it’s gotten worse as he’s gotten older His biggest issue right now is overwhelming thoughts of his actions having tragic outcomes and being unable to stop these obsessive thoughts (such as needing to check out door handle 5 times to make sure it’s locked but still panicking that it’s unlocked) he’s not open to one on one therapy or meds although he loves learning and watching informative videos i fear he’s afraid to confront his OCD or just afraid nothing will help i really wanna help him live a stress free and happy life he deserves it would anyone possibly have any ways to naturally help with OCD or recommend any great individuals that could share techniques on managing OCD or helping your partner with OCD? i would very much appreciate it!

Anonymous

Date posted: 14w

What helped you, as a child with OCD?

My daughter was just diagnosed with OCD, and is in denial. Her brother is the source of contamination for her. Everything he does, triggers her. She will not be in the same room as him, and it's only getting worse. If you were a child in denial, refusing medication and therapy, what helped you to finally accept help?

Mum🌸

Date posted: 13w

Need advice how to help son with his religious OCD

My son has Pure O religious/scrupulosity with GAD and Bipolar. My son was diagnosed with Pure O religious OCD two years ago. He has to complete a task so that God doesn’t send him to hell if he doesn’t do it. These tasks are dangerous like doing multiple back flips on concrete, or jumping off balconies three times, doing MMA slams on his back three times. The thoughts are telling him if he doesn’t do this he will go to hell. Or he is so worried about blaspheming the holy spirt and loose his salvation. He knows this is his OCD. He knows the scripture and that God is one of peace and love. Been there and done that on quoting scripture and reminding him he is saved. I can see the torture he is going through and it is painful to watch. He also needs to be stuck next to me at all times cuz it makes him feel safe. This is impeding on my life as I feel I have a toddler again, he is 24 and a former 4 star football player. He wants this to stop, he is in therapy and working on it. He was free from these thoughts from November 2023 till April 2025. He is dealing with narcissistic trauma with his father and this triggers the OCD. My question is what can I do to support and help him through these episodes and not agitate him and to help him heal?

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