Need help with family member
Question:
I am absolutely convinced that a family member of mine has a form of OCD. I am not sure how acute the case is, but nonethless, it makes life miserable at times. The problem I have is that this person will not really acknowledge that the behavior is abnormal, will not really talk about it (always changes the conversation), and always refuses to talk about therapy. What are my realistic options? What can I do to help this person out? I would be more than happy to describe specifics if necessary. Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Response:
Realistically, you can provide this person with information (I’d go in the form of paper, there are some really good books out there). You can be as supportive of this person as you are willing to be (without enabling any obsessions or compulsions if you can help it). You can be there to listen, to talk, to love. Confrontation usually just gets irritating after the first time. I wouldn’t make it a major issue if you can help it, the result is likely to be anger and defensiveness. You can’t force anyone to admit that they have a problem or to seek treatment (unless they are a danger to themselves or someone else). Once they have the information, and things get to the point where they’ve had enough, you family member will have the information s/he needs to seek help because you have provided it to him/her. But be aware that many obsessive and compulsive behaviors, although annoying to others, are entirely normal, everybody obsesses about things, everybody has rituals. It comes down to how much these things bother a person and how much control you have over them (or they have over you). OCD is a disorder that you DON’T HAVE unless you find your own behavior to be a problem. I hope some of this information is helpful and I hope things go well for your family member. Take care, Lachryma
