Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects an estimated 1 out of every 100 adults. It can occur at any age and is often characterized by obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors. Someone who constantly worries about whether they’ve locked the door or turned off the stove is one example of a person with obsessive thoughts that could indicate OCD. Any time a mental disorder affects someone’s daily life, it’s important to seek treatment, but taking that step can be difficult. If you have a loved one who’s struggling and you’re wondering how to help someone with OCD, you can do things to provide support before they start a treatment plan.
Here are some steps you can take to support your loved one as they work to cope with the symptoms of OCD.
Start With Education About OCD
The more you know, the more prepared you are for unusual or upsetting situations that may be a result of OCD. Education allows you to offer meaningful support. This disorder can have primarily internal symptoms, where someone is plagued by intrusive thoughts, or external behaviors, where they repeat the same things over and over. Here are some OCD treatment tips you can implement to encourage them to reach out:
- Listen without judgment. Allow the person to talk about their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged or dismissed. Be patient and empathetic. Practice mirroring as an active listening technique, where you repeat what they’ve told you in different words so your loved one knows you’re listening and not judging.
- Offer reassurance. Let them know you’re there for them and they aren’t alone. Mention the efforts you’ve seen them make toward managing their condition, and encourage them to take the next step.
Encourage Professional Help
Professional treatment for OCD often consists of medication and therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly a form called exposure and response prevention, is the first line of talk therapy treatment, and it can be highly effective. Using SSRI medications may also make patients more comfortable and responsive to treatment.
However, those with OCD may struggle to reach out to a mental health professional. Those who’ve dealt with it for long periods without treatment may develop treatment resistance as part of the illness, which can complicate getting professional help.
Be Patient About Treatment
While it’s important to encourage anyone in a mental health crisis to seek treatment, be patient if the initial response is resistance or an outright refusal. Coming to terms with any mental illness can take time, and your loved one may not be ready to face the issue head-on. While they adjust, creating a supportive environment and avoiding enabling behaviors are important.
How to Help Someone With OCD at Home
Supporting someone with OCD means helping identify triggers and reducing the number of them in their environment. OCD triggers can encompass a wide variety of things and actions, ranging from touching doorknobs to worries about turning off appliances. Some triggers are easier to manage than others. For example, you might use smart devices with remote control to manage fears surrounding a stove or other kitchen appliances being left on.
Introduce daily routines to help manage compulsions. Knowing what’s happening next can help reduce the anxiety of someone with OCD and improve their daily life.
Avoid Enabling Behaviors
While wanting to help is natural, accommodating compulsions or providing reassurance for obsessions can reinforce OCD behaviors. Instead of offering ways for someone with OCD to avoid their fears, encourage them to gradually face those fears. As an example, someone with a hoarding disorder related to OCD might need help throwing things away, but don’t overwhelm them with a massive clean-out all at once. Focus on one space or type of item at a time.
Support Their Treatment Plan
It’s much easier to create a low-trigger environment and avoid enabling while someone is in treatment, but remember that treatment is personalized. If a loved one is participating in a treatment plan, respect their boundaries. You may want to help, but let them proceed at their own pace and participate only if they ask.
Practice Self-Care
Caregiving is emotionally and physically taxing. If you aren’t taking care of your own mental health, you can’t provide long-term support for someone else. Make self-care a priority.
When your loved one is ready to seek help for their OCD or you have questions about treatment options, call the National Mental Health Hotline. We have mental health professionals standing by 24-7 to connect you with local resources and referrals for treatment.
