- Date posted
- 7y
- Date posted
- 7y
A way that helped me was talking about fight or flight responses. When you're in a dangerous situation, you get filled with adrenaline and have an intense feeling of panic/anxiety. Picture this feeling of a loss of control and total and utter fear, except it's over something others may find very small, or even pointless. What we then try to do it escape that, wether it be through washing hands or counting or rearranging or whatever. We will not stop being on edge until we've done it properly, that is our way of getting "in control" of our heads, even if we recognise that this behaviour is unhealthy.
- Date posted
- 7y
There are some really good personal accounts of OCD if you search for them (short / personal experiences on OCD) and you could always have her try to read some of those to see what it's like for you if you find some you resonate with
- Date posted
- 7y
I know that was a huge generalisability but it may help her understand a little, best of luck ❤️
- Date posted
- 7y
I agree with whoever suggested the videos. They're an incredibly powerful tool, so much so that they're often used nowadays for legit teaching purposes. I showed one to my mom (who joked about occasionally having "OCD brain") and I think it really put things in perspective for her. She hasn't used OCD as an adjective ever since.
- Date posted
- 7y
Ya I have some advice, especially since my family was the exact same. 1) There are some really good videos that show what suffering from OCD feels like. You can show here those. 2) I often like to use analogies that my family can understand. For instance, if you told your mom "imagine a woman who was terrified that she may accidentally drop and hurt her newborn baby, so she avoided it completely".
- Date posted
- 7y
Do you all have any links to videos that helped?
Related posts
- Date posted
- 25w
I just want some help cuz I don't know what to do. If you want to help me, please see my last post. I talked to my mom about it, she was respectful and understanding, but OCD just won't let me move on. I don't know what to do, my therapist said that if it doesn't bother me and I already talked to my mom, then I should just let go, but every interaction I have with her makes me wonder if it is appropriate. Like today she came into my room and laid in my bed and hugged me (she was really sweet) I am sick and with my teeth hurting like hell, headaches and she came to ask me if I am okay and say goodbye cuz she was going to work. But OCD keep saying "She shouldn't enter your room without permission, let alone lie next to you, that's inappropriate and she's a pervert." I once talked to her about it and she said "You think I am a pervert." and hearing that coming out of her mouth was destructive, because she is not one, she is respectful and caring, but she obviously noticed me stopping to do the things I used to do around her and me not wanting to be close to her due to OCD, and I heard how sas she was, imagine wanting to hug your daughter and give her goodnight kisses and she telling you to stop cuz she thinks it is inappropriate, and she knows it is because of OCD and not my true desires, I want to life with her like I always lived, hugging her, laughing with her. So please, someone help to get over it. I am tired.
- Date posted
- 20w
Listen, I totally get it. It’s hard to hear a loved one obsessing over small, insignificant things. My mom tries to be supportive, but she gets so mad when I tell her what’s on my mind, and she just yells at me and says I’m crazy for thinking like this. So, I just sent her this, and I hope it helps: Mom, I know it’s really hard, but when I’m suffering with OCD thoughts, all I need is sympathy. Getting mad at someone for having OCD is like getting mad at someone for having a head injury. Please understand that I can’t help it, or else I would stop it. I need someone to say, “I’m so sorry that’s bothering you this much. It must be so overwhelming. It must be so hard to cope with this.” You could even ask me questions, like “What does it feel like? How much are you thinking about this? What helps you feel better?” I just need someone to validate my experience and sympathize, not tell me that I’m crazy or say my problems aren’t real. I’m aware these thoughts are crazy — that’s why I feel so alone and sad and scared. When you tell me my thoughts are crazy, it makes me feel even more like a freak. Sometimes, I just need someone to hold my hand and tell me I’m not alone.
- Date posted
- 19w
I had like a really bad argument with my mom basically about her complaining about my “attitude” and “constant arrogance” like okay firstly 😭 yes i do have an attitude and am irritable but im not THAT bad 😭🙏 she was saying that im a “pest” and that “its not enjoyable to live with someone who makes other people miserable” like 😅🧍♀️ oh ☺️ and then i tell her that i know im struggling and that im going to therapy to try to get better and trying to possibly get a diagnosis and she says “your generation just wants something to deal with. You want something to be wrong with you. ‘Trying to get better’ isn’t good enough… would you be able to stand someone like yourself? You’re just choosing this antisocial, narcissistic behaviour and harass everyone… You need to pull yourself together. No matter how much effort we put into you, you will never be happy. You want some medicine? Some diagnosis? Because that will solve everything?” 😭😭😭 and the way she said “some medication”- she sounded so disgusted and appalled and now i feel ashamed… i mean im not officially diagnosed with ocd and it is never my intention to self diagnose- but im sorry its VERY obvious when you have ocd and know of ocd- its so distinct. Everything- the compulsions, reassurance, intrusive thoughts, themes, patterns, perfectionism- but she has me overthinking- what if i dont have ocd 😭 and ive just been lying to myself and everyone maybe its not ocd and im just sick in the head or trying to self sabotage- and especially when my supposed ocd is calm or not as loud i get so anxious “what if i dont have ocd…”
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