How to Deal: When Someone You Love Has OCD

A few months ago my husband was diagnosed with OCD the paranoia he goes through is nerve racking. First of all let me tell you about OCD. It is a mental disorder that affects the neuron's in the brain which controls the thought process. In some it causes repetitive behaviors such as repeat hand washing or continually cleaning a surface. While in others it causes irrational thoughts. Like in my husbands case. He sees things differently then most people do. He can see something that is completely Innocent and make it out to be something its not. For ample, the other day we were grocery shopping and a boy he knows spoke to him well my oldest son said something at the same time and my husband thought when I laughed I was flirting with that boy.

I have learned that you have to help them see the other possibilities. It can be hard. But it is possible. I can tell you that there is a lot of arguments and a lot of yelling at each other. But when there's a good day I tend to hold on to that. I know he can't help having those thoughts. I also know that in a few hours things will be fine again. Its touch and go most days. It can be hard to see the one you love go through this. With OCD you never know what will set off an attack, the hardest part is not taking it to heart even if it is directed at you. There is nothing that you can do to stop it. All you can do is ride it out.

It will test your faith. I have a strong faith that things will get better. In a lot of ways they already have. the bad days aren't as frequent as before. And he has started to open up about what bothers him. Our kids know to avoid the situation when it arises. All in all our love for each other out weights the negative thoughts that he has to face everyday. There are treatments but no cure. It's a roller-coaster ride until you find the course of treatment that works for that individual. And not all treatment will work, not only medical but you also have to get help by way of counseling as well. You have to help retrain the thought process. But in the end you start getting a better understanding of what you can do to change that.

When you love someone the best advise I can give is don't give up. Get help. If possible not just for you but them too. In the end you will be glad you did. With strength and understanding, even if it drives you insane, anyone can over come any test put in you path.

Don't give up on the person you love even if it feels like they are giving up on you. Love that person and let them know your not giving up on them. Let them know your there for them and with them because its not just them that has to go through all the hurt and pain of OCD.