Many have notions regarding obsessive-compulsive disorder that are largely false or run counter to what the condition entails. Some may go as far as to connect OCD with obsessive cleanliness, but it goes beyond that. There are families with members who have the condition, noting how it has become a major obstacle to normal living. It pays to take OCD seriously and the critical role relatives play in helping their loved ones live normal lives.
If you have someone in the family who is struggling with OCD, it’s important to know what to do to help them cope with the condition. Your loved one could be experiencing excessive feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, and anger, all of which become as much physical hindrances as they are emotional and social. It’s only a matter of knowing what to do. Instead of shrugging it off, you might as well follow the quick guide below to get started with your intervention.
1. Understand the Condition Thoroughly
You can’t help your loved one cope with OCD if much of the information you’ve gathered about it comes from unverified sources. As a legitimate wellness and medical condition, OCD warrants careful understanding so you will know how best to support a loved one who has it. To begin with, OCD is a condition marked by obsessive thinking, so much so that individuals develop rituals or patterns of activity that may or may not be harmful to themselves and to others.
In one feature story published on the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD can lead a person towards developing unfounded fears, which could keep them occupied almost an entire day if it’s left untreated. Other than that, you will need to access even more timely and relevant resources on the condition, especially from organizations like the International OCD Foundation.
2. Reach Out and Engage the Person
Being informed helps combat the stigma affecting those who live with OCD. With your knowledge, you now have a better means to approach your loved one directly and start a conversation. The road to dealing with the problem is through talking as you seek to understand the nature of their OCD and how you can reach out with love and discernment.
Either way, talk about these habits and keep an open mind. More importantly, don’t force them to admit that they have a problem with OCD, especially if it has become so severe. Create a safe space where they can freely talk about their past experiences that could’ve contributed to the condition.
3. Help Them Manage Their Daily Life
You may have made a breakthrough by getting your loved one to be aware of how their compulsions are becoming disruptive, but helping them manage the problem is the most important challenge. There may be times when they can’t fight their compulsions and may even seek approval or reassurance. Doing so can only worsen the problem.
There’s no known cure for OCD, but the best you can do is to help them manage their compulsions with empathy and consistency. Make sure to collaborate with your loved one when it comes to controlling their urges without feeling bad for themselves.
4. Seek Out Professional Intervention
There’s only so much you can do as a family member to help a loved one with OCD. While you can attain a measure of success in controlling their compulsions, severe cases require more than a hearty conversation.
When the right time comes, reach out to an expert on the condition who can help craft a personalized program that also addresses underlying contributory conditions, like PTSD or an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, with mental wellness becoming a major priority today, it’s easy to find an OCD therapist in Sydney or as far as Cape Town. You just have to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate and experienced practitioner.
Endnote
When OCD is allowed to thrive, your loved one could experience life disruptions that can be difficult to overcome. Consider the guide above and help them take control of their thoughts and their activities.
This article was written for WHN by Catherine Park, a seasoned digital marketer with several years of experience working with non-profit organizations. She possesses extensive expertise in Education, Computer Science, and Psychology. Outside of her professional life, Catherine enjoys practicing Muay Thai and running marathons.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
