My mum has OCD and we’re really struggling. Help!

[francescabarringParticipant]

Hi everyone out there to everyone who’s living with a family member with OCD like I am. I’d really welcome your advice if you’ve experienced this: my mum’s doctor wants to refer her for CBT therapy,, and he’s even trying to get her on the wait list for people who really need help with their OCD as she’s not coping well at all and it’s tearing our family apart.

He even gave her a book to read to help her while she waits for therapy. I went to the doctor with her and thought, great, someone is finally taking this OCD seriously and wants to help her. But will she read the book? And is she looking forward to therapy? No. and no. She says she always has lots of other things to do that come up unexpectedly and she has no time to read the book and probably won’t have time for therapy either as she is so busy! That simply isn’t true!

But I’m hoping that what the doctor said was right, that it takes a while for some people to accept they have OCD. But once they do, it can be successfully treated. But, living her while hopefully she learns to accept her OCD diagnosis isn’t, easy at all. I’m following the doctors advice, as a family member and her carer and am trying to learn everything I can about OCD but, I truly wonder if she will ever get better, because I can’t force her to red the book or go to therapy, right?

[Forum Moderators]

Hi

We want you to know that you can also contact the OCD Action Helpline and Email Service to talk to or email someone who understands OCD.

Our Helpline volunteers provide confidential and unbiased help, information and support for people with OCD (and their family members too). Most volunteers have personal experience of OCD; all understand OCD and how it can impact a family’s life.

Contact our Helpline by:

phone: 0300 636 5478 (this is a UK number).

email: support@ocdaction.org.uk

You can also find out about support groups on our website – these are open to people with OCD and some involve family members too. They offer a safe place where you can talk openly about OCD and support and encourage other people too. Our information about UK-based groups can be found here:

 

Local independent support groups: https://ocdaction.org.uk/i-need-support/local-support/

OCD Action Skype/Phone/Zoom support groups: https://ocdaction.org.uk/i-need-support/ocd-action-skype-phone-zoom-support-groups/

If you don’t live in the UK, you can look for groups near you on the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website. Look in the section “Find Help” and then under “Listing Types”, choose “Support Groups”: https://iocdf.org/

And please remember that you’re never alone – OCD Action is always here to help and support you.

Regards,

Forum Moderators

[Author]

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