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Nearly four years ago, I had no clue what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder was. Growing up, the word OCD was familiar to me, because of how loosely this term is used. Many will associate the word with someone who is anal and loves organization. Some have said that I myself have OCD, because I love systems of organization and I like things done a certain way. OCD is nothing like what I have stated.
Much to my surprise, I found out what OCD was the hard way...by watching my beloved suffer day in and day out from it. My boyfriend was obsessed about the number of times he would touch things. Numbers had different associations. If he touched things an even number of times he would be negative associations. Overwhelming anxiety and fear would set in. However, when he would touch things an odd number of times, no anxiety or fear would surface.
Not having OCD myself, I could not understand what the big deal was with numbers. I thought to myself, how could someone think this way? Seeing my loved one suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder was not a walk in the park. If you're reading this, I'm sure you understand just how difficult it is to love someone who has this disorder.
The worse thing you could do is be selfish. From experience, I can tell you that thinking about yourself and how your loved one's behavior makes you feel is the wrong thing to do. Being upset or yelling at your loved one, because they have to perform a ritual that affects you in any way is not the correct thing to do. .
With that said, the first step to being an asset to your loved one's recovery of OCD is to think about your loved one before yourself. Please understand that your loved one cannot control how things make him or her feel. They didn't ask to have OCD, and they are scared, anxious, and hate what they're doing. Although you may feel their compulsions or rituals are absolutely ridiculous, it is most important for you to put your feelings aside and think about the other person. Sighing heavily, looking at them like their crazy or being mean to them does not accomplish anything. Such actions will not help your loved one beat this disorder.
The next thing you can do to help your loved one beat OCD is by doing research about the disorder. Reading books or researching websites and blogs will help you know more about your loved one's struggle. I came to find out that my loved one felt utterly alone. It hurt to know that he felt as if no one understood him. I took it upon myself to educate myself about the disorder. Taking copious notes and doing research helped me better understand my loved one and how he felt. Once I understood the disorder I was able to help him with his game plan to get rid of OCD.
When you put your feeling aside, and you educated yourself about the disorder, the next thing to do is the most important: love the person who has the disorder. 1Corinthians 13 talks about the kind of love that will help your loved one beat OCD. Be patient. Be kind. Do not behave rudely, and do not seek the things that only benefit your own. Believe in your loved one when it's seems hopeless. Stand by your loved one and encourage him or her. By doing these things, you can help your loved one beat OCD.
Obsessive compulsive behavior help! Derek J. Soto is an ex-sufferer of obsessive compulsive disorder who will show you how to become and stay OCD free for life.
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