Understanding OCD  

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterised by recurring, intrusive thoughts, images, or obsessive urges that lead to repetitive, ritualistic behaviors, or compulsive mental acts (known as compulsions).

These obsessions and compulsions often cause distress, and interfere with the ability to function, forming relationships, and the overall quality of life of people with OCD. They typically feel driven to perform these rituals or mental acts in an attempt to alleviate their anxiety or prevent a potential outcome that they fear, even though they may recognise that these thoughts and behaviors are excessive or irrational.

OCD can manifest in a wide range of themes, such as contamination fears, symmetry and orderliness, aggressive or taboo thoughts, or excessive doubt and need for reassurance. It is a chronic condition that can be managed with various treatments, including therapy and medication.

What’s the best way to work with someone with OCD?

Above all, it’s most important to note that working with someone with OCD requires empathy, understanding, and knowledge about their disorder.

Here are some strategies to effectively support and collaborate with someone with OCD:

1. 1. Educate yourself: Learn about OCD, its symptoms, and how it affects different individuals. Understanding common obsessions and compulsions, as well as the underlying anxiety and distress associated with the disorder, will help you better understand and empathise with the person’s experiences.

1. 1. Foster a non-judgmental and supportive environment: Create a safe space where the person feels comfortable discussing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to OCD. Showing empathy, patience, and understanding without judgment or criticism will help people open up and be more accepting of having you in their space.

1. 1. Encourage open communication: Encourage the person to express their concerns and thoughts related to their OCD. Active listening and validating their experiences – while avoiding dismissing or minimising their struggles – can help them feel heard and understood.

1. 1. Respect their boundaries: Individuals with OCD may have specific triggers or sensitivities, so it’s important to respect their boundaries and avoid unnecessarily exposing them to triggering situations or behaviors while collaboratively establishing boundaries.

1. 1. Avoid enabling rituals: While it’s important to be supportive, it’s equally important not to overly participate in or enable the person’s OCD rituals or compulsions. Try to encourage them to resist the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors and provide reassurance, but avoid taking on the role of someone who will perform their rituals for them.

1. 1. Encourage professional help: OCD can be effectively managed through evidence-based treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication, so it’s a good idea to gently and collaboratively encourage the person to seek appropriate treatment and offer support in finding a qualified therapist.

1. 1. Be patient and understanding: Recovery from OCD takes time, and it’s common that setbacks might occur along the way. Be patient and understanding, and avoid pressuring the person or expecting them to “just stop” their behaviors. Instead, you can celebrate small victories and offer encouragement when noticeable progress is made.

1. 1. Encourage self-care: Promote self-care practices that support overall well-being, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, engaging in activities they enjoy, getting sufficient rest, and managing stress.

1. 1. Offer support for Exposure & Response Prevention: ERP is a common therapy approach for OCD that involves gradually exposing the person to feared situations or thoughts while resisting the urge to perform rituals. If appropriate and with their consent, offer to accompany them during exposures or support their efforts to resist compulsions.

1. 1. Collaborate on coping strategies: You can work together to identify and develop coping strategies that can help manage OCD symptoms. This may include relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, thought-stopping techniques, or engaging in activities that provide distraction or a sense of mastery.

Remember – everyone’s experience with OCD is unique, so it’s essential to listen to them, understand their comfort levels, and be able to tailor your support to what they need.

What are the triggers for a person with OCD

Specific OCD triggers can vary from person to person, since each individual may have their own specific set of triggers that are tied to their own personality. However, there are some common themes that can act as triggers for people with OCD, which can usually include:

1. 1. Obsessive thoughts: Certain thoughts or mental images can trigger obsessions in individuals with OCD, which can often revolve around fears of contamination, causing harm to oneself or others, or having intrusive taboo thoughts. Some common examples of triggers can include coming into contact with germs, witnessing accidents or violence, or exposure to specific objects or situations that provoke obsessive thoughts.

1. 1. Environmental cues: These can  include specific places, objects, or situations associated with the person’s obsessions or compulsions – for example, someone with contamination obsessions may feel triggered by being in crowded places or public restrooms.

1. 1. Environmental cues: These can  include specific places, objects, or situations associated with the person’s obsessions or compulsions – for example, someone with contamination obsessions may feel triggered by being in crowded places or public restrooms.

1. 1. Perfectionism and uncertainty: People with OCD often strive for perfection and struggle with uncertainty, or of things falling short of expectations. Any situation or task that involves uncertainty or a fear of making mistakes can become a trigger, which can lead to repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that try to achieve a sense of perfection.

1. 1. Personal or traumatic experiences: Traumatic events – such as accidents, loss, or past abuse – can have a significant contribution on the development or exacerbation of obsessions and compulsions.

Triggers can be highly individual, and what triggers one person may not affect another in the same way. This is why identifying and understanding personal triggers is a key step in managing and treating OCD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help individuals identify their triggers, develop coping strategies, and learn techniques to manage and reduce the impact of triggers on their daily lives.

How to best communicate to a person with OCD

When you’re communicating with someone who has OCD, it’s crucial to be understanding, patient, and supportive. Here are some practical strategies that can help:

• • Give them your full attention: Make sure to listen attentively, show genuine interest in what the person is saying, and allow them to express their thoughts and concerns without interruptions.

• • Avoid judgment and criticism: Remember that OCD can involve thoughts and behaviors that may seem irrational or excessive to others – so instead of judging or criticising, try to empathise and understand their experiences on their own terms and in ways that they’ll appreciate.

• • Validate their feelings: Let them know that their emotions and experiences related to OCD are valid by acknowledging their distress or anxiety, and showing empathy for what they’re going through.

• • Resist reassurance-seeking behaviors: People with OCD often seek reassurance as a way to reduce their anxiety. While it’s natural to want to provide reassurance, it’s important to remember that these can reinforce their obsessions and compulsions. Instead, try to gently and empathically encourage them to challenge the need for reassurance and offer support in resisting the urge to seek it.

• • Use clear and straightforward language: When giving instructions or discussing topics, try te be clear, concise, and avoid using ambiguous or vague statements that can contribute to uncertainty.

• • Respect their boundaries: Remember that individuals with OCD may have specific boundaries or sensitivitie. Be mindful of these boundaries and try to avoid triggering situations or behaviors, and work collaboratively to establish boundaries that promote their well-being and comfort.

• • Focus on their strengths and accomplishments: Highlight their strengths, achievements, and resilience, rather than solely focusing on their OCD symptoms. You can help them recognise their progress and remind them of their many personal capabilities beyond OCD.

• • Encourage self-care: Promote self-care practices that support their overall well-being. Encourage them to engage in activities they enjoy, manage stress, prioritise rest, and practice relaxation techniques. Support their efforts to take care of themselves.

Communication with a person with OCD is about empathy, understanding, and support. By remembering to factor these into your interactions, you can create a positive and compassionate environment that encourages open communication and personal growth.

How does routine affect a person with OCD

Routine can have both positive and negative effects on a person with OCD. For some, establishing and maintaining a routine can provide a sense of structure, predictability, and control, which can be comforting and reduce anxiety. Having a set schedule can help them feel more organised and secure in their daily lives.

On the positive side, a routine can help individuals with OCD manage their symptoms by creating a structured environment that minimises uncertainty and potential triggers. These structural routines can provide a framework for engaging in healthy coping strategies, such as practising relaxation techniques or engaging in activities that promote well-being.

However, it’s important to note too that if the routine becomes excessively rigid or inflexible, it can reinforce obsessive-compulsive patterns. For example, if someone feels compelled to perform specific rituals or behaviours at precise times throughout the day, it can strengthen the grip of their obsessions and compulsions.

Additionally, relying too heavily on a routine may limit a person’s ability to adapt to unexpected situations or changes in their environment. This inflexibility can increase anxiety and make it challenging for individuals with OCD to navigate unpredictable circumstances.

It’s important to try and strike a balance between the benefits of routine and allowing flexibility when necessary. Individuals can gradually challenge their rigid routines with the support of a therapist, and expose themselves to situations that deviate from their established patterns which can help build resilience, adaptability, and a sense of control over their symptoms.

How does MyCare Living support people with OCD?

If you’ve decided that it’s best to connect with professional therapists or carers, MyCare Living is dedicated to supporting individuals with OCD through our comprehensive disability support services, as part of the NDIS framework.

Our support personnel are trained to implement evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which are crucial in managing OCD, helping clients to identify and mitigate their specific triggers in a controlled and supportive environment, and developing personalised coping strategies that promote resilience and adaptation to changes.

If needed, we also provide additional support services in dealing with complex behaviours, behaviour support plans, and de-escalations when dealing with difficult situations.