Since you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for ways to help a friend who is struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The fact that you’re concerned and willing to educate yourself is already an important step.

OCD is a mental health condition for the person suffering from it, as well as friends or loved ones. However, OCD is a treatable and manageable condition. With professional treatment and the proper support, your friend can find hope and healing. This blog will provide you with practical, compassionate strategies for your friend so you can help them without inadvertently exacerbating their OCD symptoms.

To be able to help your friend effectively, it is a must to know what OCD is and how it can affect people.

Living with OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD is characterized by unwanted, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). OCD forces a person to think over and over again or stretch everything beyond logic to feel perfection. It is not just about organizing. The condition goes much further than that.

It often manifests as a struggle with the mind, which, in turn, is a struggle with anxiety. The person is at a higher risk of developing a chronic disease (such as obesity, diseases of the circulatory system, and type 2 diabetes) as a result of their repetitive actions.

Usually, the common symptoms experienced by an individual with OCD are:

1. Intrusive thoughts (obsessions):

Intrusive thoughts are like “unwanted guests” in the mind. They come out of nowhere and cause pain and discomfort from fear at the lowest level to a mix of frightening thoughts at the highest level. The key point here is that these thoughts can come to anyone’s mind, although they are not a reflection of a person’s character or their intentions. It is a normal part of human thinking that takes the form of a problem in OCD.

Obsessive thoughts in an individual with OCD may take many forms, such as:

• Contamination Phobia: An exaggerated worry about germs or dirt.
• Sexual Intrusive Thoughts: Upsetting thoughts related to sexuality that cause anguish.
• Harm-Related Intrusive Thoughts: Worries about harming oneself or others.
• Perfectionism: A perfect, intense need for things to be done, which, if done, can hinder daily functioning.

2. Compulsive behavior (compulsions):

The term “compulsions” describes the actions people with OCD do to control their obsessions and the symptoms of anxiety they cause. Typically, an individual with OCD exhibits various compulsive-like habits, including:

• Over-Cleaning: Repeatedly cleaning an already clean home to satisfy a need not to see any dirt.
• Repetitive behavior: Making certain, over and over, that all access points to the home are secured and their car is locked.
• Hand Washing: The practice of washing hands many times to reduce the fears associated with germs.
• Arranging Objects in Order: Putting items in a definite sequence or place.
• Avoiding Triggers: Keeping away from things (such as public restrooms or bus terminals) that trigger their obsessions or elicit anxiety.
• Ritual Activities: Ritual activities can be interpreted as a means of preventing bad luck or alleviating irrational anxiety.

How to Support Your Friend with OCD

To help you, here are ways you can support your friend without making their OCD problem worse:

Familiarize yourself:

First, try to understand OCD from reliable sources. Your understanding of the problem will lead to positive and focused communication with your friend and more productive encouragement from you.

Listen without judgement:

Create an environment for your friend where they can express their experiences without judgment. Instead of using logic or trying to tell them that it’s just a feeling, be empathetic and don’t show anything comforting about their obsessions. Try soothing phrases during their challenging issues:

Helpful phrases:

• “I’m here to talk if you want.”
• “It sounds like you’re going through a difficult time. How can I help you?”
• “It’s okay to have feelings that aren’t rational, even if those thoughts don’t repeat over and over again.”

Avoid these phrases:

• “Maybe you should get your bad thoughts out of your head?”
• “You are being afraid without any reasonable cause.”
• “Nobody cares if you left the light on, just calm down.”
• “This is overthinking. How can you think the other way?”
• “Your head is loaded with the false. You should change your mind, find a better way instead.”

Avoid joining in with compulsions:

It may be naturally tempting to help or reassure your friend by following their compulsive behavior, but this doesn’t cure OCD. Be polite in declining requests to join in or provoke compulsions.

Encourage professional help:

OCD is a challenging time for a person. Consulting with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, is important. It is not only a very big step, but it is the most necessary one. You can join them if your OCD friend liked. Psychiatrists offer personalized treatment through an accurate diagnosis of OCD. Based on patient diagnosis, OCD is best treated with:

• Psychotherapy: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a special therapy of CBT for treating OCD. In this therapy, the patient is exposed to situations that provoke his anxiety in a very gradual and controlled manner. This is done while the patient refrains from the compulsive behaviors that he usually performs to overcome the anxiety caused by exposure to the provoking situations. Although ERP helps a person manage OCD, it does not eliminate the related thoughts; it can be used in conjunction with medication.
• Medication: Medication is an effective way to treat OCD, but it must be taken consistently and according to a doctor’s instructions. Research has shown that the most effective medications for OCD are Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs), which are primarily used as antidepressants but also help with OCD symptoms. Studies show that SSRIs provide individuals with relief by adjusting the brain’s serotonin levels.
• Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes, such as regular routines and organized environments, help OCD patients manage their symptoms. This helps them feel less anxious and impulsive and more in control of their lives. Additionally, reducing confusion by having a clear routine helps people stay focused and organized. Setting times for work, meals, exercise, and rest can help. Additionally, creating an outline of daily tasks, planners, calendars, and checklists helps improve structure.
• Stress management: Stress management (such as practicing yoga, deep breathing, or mindfulness, as well as making self-care a daily priority) helps control intrusive thoughts.
• Support systems: Joining support groups or therapy platforms can provide ongoing support and resources for people with OCD.

Be patient:

Recovering from OCD doesn’t happen overnight. It does happen gradually. Even if your friend seems to be in a bad way, give them some comfort and count these small victories as steps in the right direction.

Promote healthy coping strategies:

If your friend wants to adopt a healthy lifestyle that provides them with focus and relaxation, such as meditation, yoga, listening to soothing music, and exercise, recommend that they practice some activities.

Set boundaries:

It’s important to be there for your friend, but it’s also important to protect your own mental health. Be clear about what you will and won’t do to help them.

Supporting your friend through OCD

You can play a role in this situation in the following ways:

• Stay calm and do not show signs of frustration or impatience
• Suggest that your friend adopt the strategies they learned in therapy
• Reassure them that their anxiety will subside
• If they are willing to accept it, suggest a little distraction
• Show empathy without increasing their fear

Taking care of yourself

Dealing with an OCD episode can sometimes drain your energy. Remember that staying healthy is most important for you and your family. It’s okay to take breaks. If you feel tired, you’ll lose energy. Therefore, you should keep in mind the following:

• Maintain your own support system.
• Take care of yourself through self-care activities.
• Restrict your limits to avoid excessive pressure. Refusing sometimes is acceptable too.
• Seek professional help if you feel you are unable to cope.

The Takeaway

When dealing with a friend suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is time, patience, and knowledge that are required from you. By adopting the above approaches, you will be able to support your friend effectively. Moreover, simply understanding and being there can cause a huge change in your friend’s life.

Remember, a little effort can go a long way. Go ahead, wait, and stick to your goal of being a helpful friend.

Photo Credit:

Photo 1, Credit to Freepik || Photo 2, Credit to Freepik  || Photo 3, Credit to Freepik (CC0 1.0)