OCD recovery coaching

INFORMATION
FOR FAMILIES.

Many families and friends ask sufferers questions about their OCD and we know it’s not always easy for that person to explain how they’re feeling. ocd family support

To you, it may look like your loved one is OK and not suffering at all whilst under the surface, there’s often an invisible battle taking place. Or they might seem distant or push you away, but they’re struggling with OCD – they do still love you. Recovery from OCD is possible, but it takes time, and you have to be patient with the process – and with your loved one.

That’s why we’ve put together information and advice about the road to recovery from OCD for you. It’s a journey that you’re on, as well as your loved one.

ocd recovery coach

Why is it important to be firm

OCD sufferers will look for reassurance: it temporarily reduces their anxiety and so it is only natural that they will seek it, however reassurance only makes things worse because it feeds the cycle. Even though it will feel harsh, don’t give out reassurance, as it won’t help them get better. A ‘tough love’ approach is often what’s needed.

Common examples of an OCD sufferer seeking reassurance could be asking a loved one to help them complete checks or compulsions such as ensuring the doors are locked multiple times, or if their fears centre around harm or sexual orientation they may want to be reassured that they have nothing to worry about and that that they are a good person. It’s extremely tempting to give in and go down this road but it only serves to make things worse in the long run. A good strategy is to learn more about OCD yourself so that you know how to handle these situations, it isn’t easy being a loved one of someone with OCD and it takes persistence and patience to help them on their road to recovery. Ultimately it is a path they have to walk for themselves, but having a supportive network is of course beneficial so your understanding of OCD will be sure to help them.

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HOW CAN YOU
HELP A LOVED
ONE WITH OCD?

It can be hard to know what to do. Does your loved one want to talk about it, or keep it private? Will bringing it up in conversation make them push you away? Below are some tips on how you could help.

Be a good listener, be there

Someone battling with anxiety can often feel alone. Make time for some real conversation: ask them how they’re doing – and be sure to let them talk about their emotions.

Be mindful not to engage in endless discussion, this should be check-ins from time to time and it will be for you to gauge how often is the right amount. A great question can be “how have you been getting on this week?” so as not to delve into OCD if they don’t want to right at that time. Some people with OCD will like to keep their recovery journey private and don’t want to be reminded of it all the time, your loved one is just the same as anyone else they just have some work to do to feel better, so we don’t want to be treating them differently or walking on eggshells. In fact bringing in as much normality as possible is very good for them.

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Encourage healthy habits

Sleeping and eating well, and being active can really help anxiety. Promote this sort of lifestyle where you can. At the same time, it’s important to help OCD sufferers not to be too rigid.

Sometimes OCD will latch into lifestyle and routine and so we need to aim to have a good balance without it becoming too strict and controlled.

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Read up

This will help you understand better what your loved one’s going through and make you more knowledgeable if they do want to talk about it.

Be quite firm

Of course you want to be understanding, but you also need to ensure that you remind them to keep working on their recovery (particularly partaking in compulsions or reassurance that you know is not beneficial).

Reminding them to go back to the tools they have learnt in therapy and coaching is always a good thing.

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Be patient with your loved one

If they lash out or don’t return your messages, it’s nothing to do with you as a person.

Keep being there for them: even when it feels like it’s not helping, it means your loved one knows they have people around them who really care.

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If your loved one is a child

It is of course a different dynamic and you may need to be more involved in their recovery journey, however if your loved one is your partner or other family member then it is wise to keep a healthy distance from their recovery journey.

Support is crucial but getting too involved or becoming pushy can lead them to feel like they aren’t doing enough. Recovery is full of peaks and troughs. Encourage them when they’re doing great and celebrate when they say they faced a really difficult exposure but give them space and go easy if they are having a hard time and aren’t feeling too strong.

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