My partner has severe OCD

If he's open to it, this app has a free feature to build your own hierarchy and an SOS feature which helps guide you through tough OCD spikes without a therapist. It also might help him see through the community how much therapy helps. Coming from someone who has OCD and has a partner who has OCD of a different theme, it's so important to have a therapist guide his recovery. But I also know first hand how scary it is to start therapy. I would recommend him the book "The OCD Workbook" and "The Self Compassion Workbook for OCD". There are also books on helping partners with OCD that you might look into, but I haven't read any myself. I also think you would benefit reading the two I mentioned as well to better understand the disorder better and how best to help him. It's very easy to give partners reassurance or aid in their avoidance of tasks and accidentally feed the OCD cycle. There's also a good YouTuber, @OCDandAnxiety that gives great advice. His videos have been used in my past therapy sessions and I often use them as reminders for skills to use when I'm having a rough time with my OCD. I hope you both can find some help and solace here. It's really a great resource and has helped me live my life again without being completely consumed by my OCD.

So for OCD the thing keeping it “alive” is the compulsions, like actually going back and checking if the door is closed/asking someone if they truly closed the door. So what you can do is not give him reassurance. But tbh what he truly needs is EPR therapy and possibly meds. Since EPR at home has chances of making it worse, ocd is not at all easy to get over so try to convince him

There is a great podcast called The OCD Stories on YouTube. He does a wide ranging version of videos on all different OCD themes.

As OCD is an anxiety disorder, reducing any external stress through work, family or personal life could help with managing a bit. Physiologically speaking, there has been research on the link of gut health and OCD, so having a diet with enough water, probiotic foods, protein, vegetables and low sugar fruits while avoiding sweets/processed foods-beverages can help reduce inflammation and thus help lower OCD symptoms. Mentally, daily meditations can be nice for calming the mind/body so it may be a good idea to start meditating. Alternatively, if done correctly/well, relaxation treatments like acupuncture or massage could help with the severity of symptoms, too. It is important to try to be compassionate towards oneself and maybe use the SOS function on this app to sit through the first 5 minutes of strong compulsion urges to get used to the discomfort. Ultimately, specific OCD management skills acquired through personal therapy or books/apps such as this one would likely be the longterm solution as we can’t always control external factors like stressors and life can be tough at times with lots going on, hence the importance of having healthy internal coping mechanisms. OCD is not easy but possible to tackle with the right approach so he doesn’t have to live in the fear he is going through right now. It’s good to take care of yourself as well since partners and family members can experience heightened stress due to their loved one’s OCD. I wish you both good luck in this journey🍀

Ultimately he’s going to have to get into therapy with a specialist and do ERP

Im not very experienced on treatments for ocd, as ive only recently realized i had it, and have not gone to therapy for it (waiting for diagnosis). But from what other people have advised me to do; try and get him to ruminate on “maybe, maybe not”. Like did he lock the door? Maybe, maybe not. Ive heard its good to sit with the uncomfortable uncertainty. And ive actually learned that if hes looking and asking for reassurance (which is a compulsion), and someone gives it to him, it wont help and might actually make it worse in the long run. Im sorry i dont have a lot of good advice but i hope things get better for u guys. Im not going to say his way of doing things is wrong but really nothing will help more than therapy/meds. Im in the process of getting a diagnosis, so i havent gotten any treatment for it yet, but lots of people have talked about very good results from doing specialized therapy. Someone talking about their experience with OCD is very very hard and for some people the obsessions and compulsions are so irrational that its hard to even explain to someone. Especially when it comes to obsessions that deal with morals. Best thing you can do right now is be compassionate and nonjudgmental. Much love for both of you🤍🤍🤍

as someone whose dealt with it, try to convince him to try therapy, or maybe just tell him about this app but don’t mention the therapists. Let him navigate it and find there’s a free 15 minute call. Or maybe you call and discuss therapy, or ask a therapist about what you can do. That’s the best advice I can give, the free 15 minute call if you haven’t already. Good luck!

We have a series of free, small-group virtual events this week, including 2 tonight: 7pm EST focused on Harm OCD led by fellow community member Katia 8pm EST focused on Existential OCD led by NOCD Member Advocate Andrea We'd love for you both to attend and your partner can be video and audio off, if that would be more comfortable. They are simply a safe space to enjoy a meaningful and personal conversation with someone who truly understands. You can participate with your camera on or off depending on your comfort level. You’ll also have the chance to ask your raw, real questions to someone who has been through the journey themselves, share your thoughts, and connect with others. https://calendly.com/nocdmeetandgreets