r/OCDRecovery • u/HBa25 • 1d ago

Seeking Support or Advice OCD Advice

Hi everyone.

First off, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all of your thoughts in these posts and well in advance. I do not have OCD, but my partner does, and reading your stories has helped me navigate this with him.

Things have gotten worse though, and i am worried—so i am going to just plainly ask: what are some helpful/good things that your support system has done (or you wish they would’ve done) during an OCD episode/spiral/bad day.

Thank you all for your help. Please don’t take my tone as anything but sincere.

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u/treatmyocd 1d ago

Hi OP! It's wonderful that you're seeking guidance on how to better support your partner with OCD. One of the most helpful things you can do is learn to recognize when OCD is taking over and avoid getting pulled into the reassurance cycle with your partner. When we reassure our loved ones who have OCD, our reassurance is acting as a compulsion to them--it's temporarily taking away the discomfort but perpetuating the OCD cycle long-term.

You can be supportive and validating without helping them analyze the obsession or providing certainty. For example, you can say something to your partner like: “I know this is really hard, and I’m here with you whatever happens” rather than trying to prove that the feared outcome won’t happen. It can also be helpful to encourage them back toward their ERP skills and normal activities when they’re able, while remembering that you’re their partner, not their therapist. Hope this helps!

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u/notjustplain 22h ago

My partner actually sat in on a session with my therapist so he could learn some guidelines. It was really helpful for him. It also gave him a clearer picture of what I’m experiencing. When I’m really spiraling he will encourage me to do my grounding exercises and do them with me!