Tips for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Weathering the Storm - (Extracts from the book: BDOTI FIL-MALTEMP. Edited by Nora Macelli and Connie Magro. Published by the Mental Health Association and the St Jeanne Antide Foundation, 2015.) Translated by JEAN KILLICK
Tips on OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
Persons who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD often involve their family members in their rituals. If we are not careful, it is easy to fall into the reality that they have created and help them in the illusion of the ritual. For example: a member of my family who suffers from paranoia asks me to fix a security camera on the front of the house, because he/she is convinced that many people are against him/her; if I do so, I will be joining in the reality that he/she has created.
Family members usually have uncomfortable and complex feelings. It is important that you learn not to involve yourself in the patient’s obsessions. What can you do?
You can encourage the person with OCD to wear a rubber band around their wrist. Tell them to pull the rubber band every time they feel an obsessive need like washing their hands; checking if the cooker is turned off; checking whether the light is switched off; whether the front door is closed.
You can help by writing on a large sheet of paper the answer to the question that the patient asks over and over again. You can point to the answer and not say anything further.
Disturbed emotions place a huge burden on relationships and affect all aspects of family life. If tension boils over, the hurt caused can be as great as the illness itself. It is important to appreciate that, when we try to stop the compulsion, anxiety increases in the OCD patient. One could sometimes make a joke of the compulsion. For example: “You’ve polished the floor beautifully. But if you carry on polishing it will be like a greasy pole and people will certainly slip.”
I need to learn as much as I can about the illness, so I can be really useful. I should not hide my ignorance with judgemental words that ridicule and put down the OCD patient’s experience. The more I learn about OCD and its treatment, the more I will be able to understand that the compulsive behaviour and obsession are symptoms of the illness itself and not a weak character.
It is important to learn ways to prevent the patient from controlling family life, otherwise the family may collapse. I must learn to communicate openly, clearly and positively. I must be patient and careful not to lose my temper. Above all, I must seek professional help so that I too will know what to do and how to look after myself.
It is important to learn how to help the OCD patient in the treatment programme. If you catch yourself becoming involved in the obsessions through oversight, don’t make a fuss or feel guilty. Forget it and try to keep back.
How do I recognise a new obsession?
When the patient repeats an action many times;
When he/she finds it difficult to finish something because they are obsessing over details;
When he/she starts to arrive late – if it is not usually the case;
When he/she repeatedly asks for reassurance that something has been done correctly;
When he/she starts to save and hoard things needlessly.
Finally, remember that life is a marathon not a leap. Continue to praise the progress made and encourage the patient when things go wrong. Mix humour with love and heartfelt care. Obviously, humour should not ridicule the patient. Above all, take care of yourself. Develop a support network to help you cope. Spend a little time each day in peace and quiet.
Tips on OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
Persons who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD often involve their family members in their rituals. If we are not careful, it is easy to fall into the reality that they have created and help them in the illusion of the ritual. For example: a member of my family who suffers from paranoia asks me to fix a security camera on the front of the house, because he/she is convinced that many people are against him/her; if I do so, I will be joining in the reality that he/she has created.
Family members usually have uncomfortable and complex feelings. It is important that you learn not to involve yourself in the patient’s obsessions. What can you do?
You can encourage the person with OCD to wear a rubber band around their wrist. Tell them to pull the rubber band every time they feel an obsessive need like washing their hands; checking if the cooker is turned off; checking whether the light is switched off; whether the front door is closed.
You can help by writing on a large sheet of paper the answer to the question that the patient asks over and over again. You can point to the answer and not say anything further.
Disturbed emotions place a huge burden on relationships and affect all aspects of family life. If tension boils over, the hurt caused can be as great as the illness itself. It is important to appreciate that, when we try to stop the compulsion, anxiety increases in the OCD patient. One could sometimes make a joke of the compulsion. For example: “You’ve polished the floor beautifully. But if you carry on polishing it will be like a greasy pole and people will certainly slip.”
I need to learn as much as I can about the illness, so I can be really useful. I should not hide my ignorance with judgemental words that ridicule and put down the OCD patient’s experience. The more I learn about OCD and its treatment, the more I will be able to understand that the compulsive behaviour and obsession are symptoms of the illness itself and not a weak character.
It is important to learn ways to prevent the patient from controlling family life, otherwise the family may collapse. I must learn to communicate openly, clearly and positively. I must be patient and careful not to lose my temper. Above all, I must seek professional help so that I too will know what to do and how to look after myself.
It is important to learn how to help the OCD patient in the treatment programme. If you catch yourself becoming involved in the obsessions through oversight, don’t make a fuss or feel guilty. Forget it and try to keep back.
How do I recognise a new obsession?
When the patient repeats an action many times;
When he/she finds it difficult to finish something because they are obsessing over details;
When he/she starts to arrive late – if it is not usually the case;
When he/she repeatedly asks for reassurance that something has been done correctly;
When he/she starts to save and hoard things needlessly.
Finally, remember that life is a marathon not a leap. Continue to praise the progress made and encourage the patient when things go wrong. Mix humour with love and heartfelt care. Obviously, humour should not ridicule the patient. Above all, take care of yourself. Develop a support network to help you cope. Spend a little time each day in peace and quiet.
