Getting to Know OCD
#ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder is a
pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do
repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which interfere with daily activities and
can cause severe stress.
You may feel the need to try and stop or
ignore the OCD but that will just increase your #Anxiety. Eventually you will feel the need to stop the
acts the OCD causes which will alleviate the stress. You will find, eventually, the acts will keep
coming back; this is the vicious cycle of .
Most people associate with compulsively
washing hands or lining objects in a row.
My first-hand experience with is that
of repeatedly checking and reoccurring thoughts or what’s known as Pure-O.
My father lived with manic #Depression and
anxiety, my boyfriend moved in with my daughter and I in 2004. He had told me about his mental illnesses;
, GAD, clinical depression, how it affects him and what to look for. You will not know how debilitating mental
illness can be until you have either lived with it or experienced it as a loved
one or caregiver. I first noticed my
boyfriends’ symptoms when the “routine” became noticeable. Everything was done at the same time; wake
up, take dog out, bathroom, back to bed, wake up, take dog out, maybe have
lunch, back to bed, wake up, bathroom, feed dog, have dinner, take dog out,
back to bed, wake up, watch tv, back to bed.
It was like this every day for a year.
We did our groceries the same day, time and place, watched the same tv
shows. If he had a job to do (t-shirt
printer), the would prolong the job and he would struggle to get it
done. At one point during the evenings,
while watching tv, he would go downstairs and be there for an hour or two; he
would be checking the taps making sure they’re turned off and not dripping,
windows were closed etc.
When we started dating, the Pure-O became
apparent. He would doubt if I loved him
and why I was still with him (Relationship ). He was always second guessing himself and needed
constant reassurance about everything. It
would take him at least ½ hour to an hour to write a simple email; making sure
it was done right, that he was saying the right thing, that the recipient
wouldn’t take anything the wrong way etc.
All of this would lead to anxiety attacks;
body shaking, crying, difficulty breathing, pacing, very anxious, very
debilitating to the point that he could not focus on anything. I would have to provide constant reassurance
to ease his mind.
His is severe and can be debilitating,
still to today. He’s been on medication
for 3 years now, but the is still there.
He still checks, but not as bad; he’ll do “stupid checks” as he calls
them; checks everything downstairs, checks the doors, and always must have “5”
things with him or we don’t leave until he has them all.
The way you react to someone’s symptoms
has a big impact. Negative comments or criticism can make worse, while a
calm, supportive environment can help improve the outcome of treatment. Try to
be as kind and patient as possible.
Tips for helping a friend or family member
with ;
Avoid
making personal criticisms. Remember, your loved
one’s behaviors are symptoms, not character flaws
Don’t
get up upset with someone with or tell them to stop performing rituals. They can’t, and the pressure to stop will only make the behaviors
worse.
Be as
kind and patient as possible. They need to overcome
problems at their own pace. Praise any successful attempt to resist , and
focus attention on positive elements in the person’s life.
Do
not play along with your loved one’s rituals.
Helping with rituals will only strengthen the behavior. Support the person, not
their rituals.
Keep
communication positive and clear. Communication is
important so you can find a balance between supporting your loved one and
standing up to the and not further upsetting your loved one.
Find
the humor. Laughing together over the funny side
and silliness of some symptoms can help your loved one become more detached
from the disorder. Just make sure your loved one feels respected and in on the
joke.
Don’t
let take over family life. Sit down as a family
and decide how you will work together to tackle your loved one’s symptoms.
Try to keep family life as normal as possible and the home a low-stress
environment.
