OCD, also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, affects millions of people around the world, including more than two million adults in the United States. This common mental health condition is complex and can interfere with many areas of daily life, including family and relationships.
If you are trying to support someone in Clearwater who is living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, here are some of the ways that you can do this.
Be Aware of the Symptoms
There are many varied symptoms of OCD, so it is important to take the time to understand which symptoms the person is struggling with. Some people may struggle to trust other people or constantly repeat the same actions throughout the day. Being aware of the potential signs and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can help you to understand why the person you love is thinking or behaving the way they are. It can also help you to know more about what to expect from the person, which is critical if you are spending a significant amount of time with them – for example, in a romantic relationship.
Try to Understand (and Avoid Judging)
Trying to understand what it must be like for the other person can help you to be more empathetic with their situation and avoid judging them harshly for their behaviors or reactions. When you judge or shame someone with OCD or any other mental health condition, it will most likely lead to them withdrawing from you or refraining from sharing anything that relates to their mental health condition in the future. This can be very counter-productive when you are trying to support someone to deal with obsessive-compulsive disorder or another condition. Ask them to explain their condition to you and help you to understand how it feels to live with OCD.
Encourage Them to Have Treatment
If the person you love is struggling to manage their symptoms of OCD, consider encouraging them to have some form of OCD treatment. In some cases, people are worried about what to expect and might not want to explore options for OCD treatment alone. Offer to go with them and support them throughout the process. A common form of OCD treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which helps to rewire the way people think about things. Talk about the benefits of this therapy and how it could help the person you love to find relief from the symptoms of OCD and more effective ways to manage them.
Have Patience
You might not be able to change someone’s behaviors, thoughts, and mindsets overnight, so it is always important to have a lot of patience when supporting someone with a mental health condition. It might take months or years before you can convince the person you love to be open to treatment. They may not feel ready to talk to you about their OCD for a while, and you might feel like they don’t trust you at first. Avoid rushing things, and try to have patience and understanding if you truly want to support someone suffering from OCD. If you try to have a conversation and they are not receptive to talking about it right now, give them time and offer to talk about it another day when they are feeling in a better frame of mind.
Finding the Right Support for OCD
When supporting someone living with OCD, you might feel overwhelmed when looking for the best forms of OCD treatment. People living in Clearwater can find the help they need at TMS Advantage Clearwater, where a friendly team of experts can guide you through the options available.
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