Navigating OCD during the Pandemic: Essential Advice for Family Members

Repetitive and uncontrollable obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors can be a challenging experience, not only for the OCDB sufferer but also for their family members. During the Coronavirus pandemic, living with someone who has OCD can present unique challenges that require patience, understanding, and appropriate support from those around them.

Understanding OCD and Its Cycle

Anyone who interacts with a person with OCD plays an integral part in the cycle of OCD, whether they realize it or not. This interaction can either maintain or potentially break the cycle. The first step in supporting someone with OCD is gaining better awareness of how OCD functions and what behaviors perpetuate the cycle. Understanding this will make it clearer how to modify these behaviors and break the cycle.

Providing Emotional Support

Immediate and empathetic emotional support is crucial. While it must be compassionate, it must also be firm and supportive. The sufferer is going through a living nightmare, and their intention is to end it, not to cause harm. As a family member, you must balance empathy with firmness to help them stick to the treatment plan.

Supporting Treatment and Avoiding Family Conforming Behavior

Supporting the individual to seek professional help is essential. A psychiatrist is needed to diagnose OCD, and a treatment plan is developed based on the individual's specific condition. The first-line treatments for OCD are medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family therapy plays a positive role in the relief of OCD symptoms when necessary. Family members should actively support the patient in seeking treatment. They can also act as key observers in the daily treatment process, helping the patient to rigorously adhere to the treatment plan and to face anxiety together.

Understanding and Supporting the Patient

Families must tear off the label of the disease and provide the understanding, support, and tolerance that the patient needs. Coping with the illness alongside the patient will help the family to minimize OCD's impact as much as possible. It's important for families to maintain a normal lifestyle, avoiding putting the patient at the center of everything, unconditionally listening to the patient's demands, and allowing the symptoms to run their course, without being vicious or sarcastic.

Avoiding Family Compliant Behaviors

Family members often inadvertently assist in compulsive behaviors, such as repeatedly checking doors and windows before leaving the house according to the patient's own rules, reassuring a worried patient that hand-washing is unnecessary, or avoiding talking about specific numbers. These behaviors, termed 'family conforming behaviors,' can provide temporary relief but may perpetuate or even worsen OCD symptoms. Over time, such behaviors can form a vicious cycle detrimental to treatment.

When to Seek Professional Help

Managing negative emotions can be challenging, and if these emotions become overwhelming or lead to distress, anxiety, or even depression, it is crucial to seek professional help, such as from a psychotherapist. Overcoming OCD is not an overnight process; it is a collaborative effort that involves the patient, their family, and the support of professionals.

Conclusion: Navigating the challenges of living with someone who has OCD during the pandemic requires patience, understanding, support, and appropriate treatment. With a positive mindset, the right medical support, and family support, overcoming OCD is no longer a daunting task.

Keywords: OCD, Coronavirus pandemic, family support