Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Understanding the disorder
• Part 2 of 3: Help the person on the path to self-improvement
• Part 3 of 3: Stay calm, light, and collected
• Tips

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a chronic anxiety disorder with depressing obsessive thoughts and associated compulsions (compulsions). The OCD victim usually has her own "actions" or "rituals" that she performs. Getting along with someone with OCD can be just as depressing, but having the disorder doesn't mean you should let the problem govern your relationship.If you find that you are having a difficult time getting along with someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder and you are looking for support and guidance, start at the first paragraph of this article.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Understanding the disorder

1. 1 Pay attention to possible signals. If you look closely, you should spot warning signs that OCD is developing. Many manifestations (manifestos) in the course of thoughts, which are then acted out in behavior. If you're worried that someone you care about might be suffering from OCD, look for the following signs:
   • Significant periods of time that a person spends alone (in the bath, getting dressed, doing housework, etc.)
   • Repeats actions over and over (repetitive actions)
   • Constant self-condemnation; an exaggerated need for validation
   • Even simple tasks take effort
   • Constant slowness
   • Increased anxiety over little things
   • Excessive, unnecessary emotional reactions to small things
   • Sleep disorders
   • The person stays up late to finish everything needed.
   • Significant changes in eating habits
   • Increased irritability and indecision
2. 2 Distinguish between types of OCD. For most of us, OCD sufferers imagine that they wash their hands 30 times before getting out of the bath, or flip the switch exactly 17 times before going to bed. In fact, OCD manifests itself in various ways:
   • Washers... They are afraid of infection and usually suffer from compulsive hand washing.
   • Reviewers... They repeatedly check items (whether the stove is off, whether the door is closed); everyday things seem dangerous and harmful to them.
   • Doubters and sinners... These people need everything to be done appropriately. If not, something terrible will happen - they even feel they might be punished.
   • Lovers of counting and arranging objects... This type has an obsession with order and symmetry. They often have superstitions about specific numbers, colors, and locations.
   • Gatherers... These people suffer from fear: any small thing thrown away will immediately lead to something bad happening. Everything is preserved - from garbage to old recipes.
     • If you have obsessive thoughts or sometimes exhibit compulsive behavior, this is more does not meanthat you have OCD. To be diagnosed with this disorder, you must be depressed and believe that these thoughts and actions are related to your life.
3. 3 It should be understood that there are various options for psychotherapy. At the moment, attention is focused on cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT). Medication is sometimes used in conjunction with therapy if the therapist or physician thinks it will be helpful; however, medication alone is rarely used. CPR is usually carried out in two forms:
   • Empirical verification (experiment)... Although not an easy task, the person is asked to do the thing that makes them anxious, and then not take a protective action; for example, touch the doorknob and not to wash hands. He must remain with his anxiety until he feels that it is weakening. Slowly but surely, the duration of the anxiety will shrink and shrink.
   • Cognitive psychotherapy... This line of CPR focuses on thoughts and how they often hypertrophy to an unhealthy state in OCD. The individual is shown how to respond to obsessive thoughts and reject the need for compulsion (compulsive defensive action).
4. 4 Encourage the person to have a conversation. Talking about this will not only show the person that you are open and willing to accept their point of view, it will also let you know how the disorder is affecting them personally. Demonstrating support will help.
   • One way or another, do not try to show the person the fallacy of his behavior.Most OCD sufferers find it illogical and ridiculous. Trying to show someone they are wrong will make you look judgmental and put yourself above them. Therefore, the best strategy in such a conversation is a friendly attitude and openness.
5. 5 Keep in mind that change is a source of stress for them. OCD is often triggered by stress, and most people with OCD find the changes more than stressful. If you get in the way of their habitual behavior (be it compulsive actions or something else), they can respond to you with a whole bunch of OCD manifestations. You are at the very beginning on this journey to recovery, so it is important to understand how this can thrill the individual. OCD is the pillar with which he copes with stress and tension, and that is what you want to eliminate.
   • In other words, you must be very patient and mindful of what is happening to the psyche of someone with OCD. For you, not knocking on the door 12 times before leaving may seem like a trifle, for them - a deadly disaster. Not surprisingly, this causes stress in humans!

Part 2 of 3: Help the person on the path to self-improvement

1. 1 Create a supportive environment for him. No matter how much this person gets on your nerves, you need to inspire and cheer him up. No matter how hopeless he seems to you, you must inspire and cheer him up. It won't be easy, but this is the only way to improve. Always maintain an even tone and stay away from criticism as much as possible.
   • It shouldn't look like you're doing someone a favor, that's not the point of helping. Let's take a closer look: Providing support does not mean developing indifference to the person's intrusive behavior. This means that you should keep your finger on the pulse of changes and emotional state, give warm hugs when a person needs it.
2. 2 Maintain clear and simple communication. In other words, don't play games with the person. If he asks if all the doors and windows are closed and if the stove is turned off, there is no need to politely answer "I am sure that it is, although I have not checked the stove." Instead, be honest with him. If he's strong enough, say, “Thank you, but I think I’ll do without OCD today,” and nudge lightly with your shoulder. Refusing to participate in this is a gentle way to show that at least on your own territory you are not ready to put up with it.
   • If your beloved not so strong for now, keep the discussion on the topic short. Don't show interest or obsession with his obsession. To the question "Are the doors closed?" the answer should be "Yes". It's all. If the person continues, tell them that you would like to talk about something else, because this conversation is useless.
3. 3 Encourage them to take their prescribed medications. Taking medication is sometimes unpleasant. The person you are close to is likely to have side effects. He may not want to take the medicine at all. It is very important to emphasize: medicines must be taken strictly according to the prescribed regimen, you cannot just take and refuse them. Try to emphasize how much it means to you that the person wants to be better; tell him that you are convinced that the drugs will soon make his life happier.
   • Ask how they feel about going to the doctor together. A meeting with a doctor is an opportunity to hear the opinion of specialists, ask any questions you have about the course of treatment and its success, as well as what side effects can be expected.
4. 4 Maintain your usual routine. While this can be stressful for an OCD sufferer, and it will be difficult for you to resist their desires, it is very important that the people around the person do not change their behavior. If he asks you to close all the gaps in the newspaper text, do not do it. If he says that part of the house is blocked off, it is not so.Yes, it will excite him, but you need to understand this: exposure to triggers is important for an OCD sufferer to recover.
   • No, you cannot guard it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is not your job. But you can take care of yourself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and this is the best thing you can do. Not joining his game, you have already won half the victory. Therefore, when a person suggests that you do something illogical, spend more time on something than you need to, or says something frankly funny, do not do it.
5. 5 Do not adopt his behavior. Should be clear without words, right? Unfortunately, many give in to participate in "rituals" when a loved one asks about it - just so that things go easier and there is no conflict. Yes, it is easier, but it will not lead the person to recovery. You should stay as far away from his daily rituals as possible. Make it clear that you don't have them at all.
   • Do not even try to somehow coordinate your actions with him, and even more so do not agree to them. If a person insists on taking a weird route to a cafe, don't do it. If you are in the car, ready to get out, and the person closes and opens the doors, over and over again, go about your business. If their behavior starts to anger you, rationalize the situation: tell them that you you can not coordinate their actions with their compulsions, and that this way they will not get better.
6. 6 Try your best to maintain a positive attitude. After all, your loved one is still healthy. The sun is still shining and you have so much ahead of you - stay positive! It may seem to you that in a person's state there are no changes for the better, but over time, they will happen. Keep faith in the best and keep encouraging him - he will try to please you. Even if it's not noticeable, he doesn't want to disappoint you.
   • Without directly discussing his problem, celebrate "good days." When they come, you will notice it. Encourage the person to resist compulsions and praise when they do it. They will have bad days, of course, but more and more good days will happen if you maintain a positive attitude and faith in the best.

Part 3 of 3: Stay calm, light, and collected

1. 1 Find support for yourself. There is nothing shameful about using psychotherapy. for myself... It will be helpful to sign up for a support group. Living is difficult when you have OCD, but living with someone who has OCD is just as difficult. To stay cool and be the light source your loved one needs, you also need support. Don't think you don't deserve it, you don't!
   • Talk to friends and family about what you are going through right now - especially if they are going through it too. Asking if they know a good therapist or support group for this type of problem will help you do the right thing for yourself and the person with OCD.
2. 2 Be patient. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in one day,” and OCD won’t take place overnight. It resembles falling in love - it fades and fades away, and then one day you wake up and realize that it is no longer there. At first, the improvements may be so small that you may think they are going nowhere; however, these tiny improvements will, over time, accumulate into great life changes.
   • Be patient with yourself too. The position you are in is exhausting and frustrating, and you will often feel confused about how to behave correctly. Give yourself a break! You care about this person, that's what matters. As long as you do as think correct, all this will be expected for you.
3. 3 Accept that no one is to blame. Separating a person from OCD can be difficult.You may find that you start to be offended and angry with the person, it may seem to you that you are right. Try your best to understand that no one is to blame for OCD. This problem is not a person close to you, it is a separate being from him. The person has no conscious control over him. If anything, it's OCD's fault, not his!
   • You may feel better if you try to approach the situation with humor. This all sounds a little funny, of course it is. Opening and closing the door 18 times? Come on, this is ridiculous! You can laugh at this, it will defuse the situation. At the very least, it will help you keep your sanity.
4. 4 Avoid measuring progress on a daily basis. Your loved one will have good days and bad days. This is fine. This is how it happens. No need to say phrases like "Oooh, everything was fine yesterday!" From this a person will feel guilty, it will seem to him that his condition is worsening. Look at it in the same way as at your weight - it fluctuates, today it is a kilogram more, in a week a couple of kilograms less, this is absolutely normal.
   • Encourage your family to use an objective assessment of the situation. By assigning numbers to the episodes, you will see that this moment is not as bad as the last one, although it seems that it is. Organize activities that you can do together with the whole family: questionnaires, agreements (what will and will not be done by each family member), and family gatherings to stimulate change for the better.
5. 5 Notice even minor improvements. What for? These minor improvements colossal for a loved one with OCD. Extinguish the light 15 times instead of 17? This is a huge win for him, so admit it! Your loved one is making progress at the cost of great discomfort. If you acknowledge his feelings and praise him for the successes he is making, it will be much easier for him to win over and over again.
   • This is motivation for a person in a pure and simple way. You may not genuinely experience these feelings (you may be thinking: He turned this thing over 2 times less, what's the difference?), but give the praise anyway. She and your warm feelings will be associated with the victory over OCD.
6. 6 Take time for yourself. There are reasons for this:
   • You need to keep your sanity. Having lost it, you will not be able to be a reliable fortress for your loved one.
   • You don't want the person to feel like they need a nanny. For an adult, this is an incredibly upsetting feeling.
   • Don't let OCD ruin another person's life. There is so much in life besides anxiety - for you, your suffering loved one, and for everyone around you.

Tips

• Be patient and show that you do not believe OCD is his fault.
• Be supportive, but remember not to allow the OCD sufferer to develop new “patterns” (behaviors) that repeat your daily routine. Vary your wake-up times, help the person become more independent, and show that they can change everything. But always be ready to help.