Is she OCD?

Hey so I don’t actually have ocd but I’m trying to understand my girlfriend better to be there for her in actual helpful ways, and I think she might have ocd and talking with her she thinks she might to. She is a huge perfectionist and definitely a germaphobe, as well as some sensory issues. She also has some things that seem like compulsions, she’ll feel like she needs to squeeze her fingers and hands, sometimes picking at them even if there’s not like dry skin or anything to pick at, and sometimes she’ll even feel like she needs to like rub them across something spiky or just a very specific surface but its not always the same. She also feels the need to have her whole body squeezed when she’s really stressed, almost like she wishes she was in a hydrolic press, so really really tight hugs or things like that help but I think that might just be a different thing and not ocd. She also has a weird feeling that makes her not want to kiss(as well as intimacy) and she struggles explaining what it is like. She really didnt want to kiss me for a while but she thought that it was just because of past experiences that were bad but then we finally kissed and she said she felt almost panic but different. I really care about her but this block making it so she cant kiss has recently made some bumps in our relationship. I would like to kiss her but I would rather have her happy so it’s fine, but I know that it affects her not knowing what is wrong and its made some doubts in the relationship. We’ve been able to talk it out and Im being really patient with her, but I want to fully understand her so that I can actually help her Does this sound like ocd? And what can I do to help?

ocd’sbf

Date posted: 4d

I didnt add on here but Iv been doing research on OCD for the past week and Iv learned some things from psychology classes iv done and it sounds like her but some things dont so I decided to ask, Im not just assuming its ocd based off of random stereotypes and Im really not wanting to offend anyone

ocd’sbf

Date posted: 4d

Oh I also forgot shes terrified of being sick and has this ritual where she takes deep breaths while telling herself “breathe in the good air, breathe out the bad air”

KathyF

Date posted: 3d

It's very kind of you to want to understand your girlfriend and want to help her! It's important for your girlfriend to have an assessment to truly understand what's going on. NOCD has one, but your girlfriend will need to go through the process.

Tiff2023

Date posted: 22h

I agree with Kathy. It’s very sweet of you to look for advice and answer because you love her so much. If this truly is OCD (which only a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose) it’s really important that she see a professional. It’s also important for you to understand that help is something she has to want. If she’s not ready to have an assessment then she’s just not ready. It might feel like you really need to push her to get assessed but that only damages things. You could bring it up in a kind and compassionate way. Don’t outright ask her what’s up. I would sit her down and say something along the lines of “Hey, I noticed you do x,y,z when a,b,c happens and I think it might be beneficial for you and for our relationship if you were to get assessed by a provider at NOCD.” You have to list the things that you’ve noticed or she might deny that anything is wrong. Don’t be judgmental and don’t offer any advice on how to deal with the things that bother her. Just gently steer her towards a professional and let her and the professional do the rest of the work. The last thing someone with OCD or any mental illness needs is someone giving advice on every little thing without being asked. If you feel like she’s drowning throw her a life preserver and let her save herself. Worst case call a lifeguard. DO NOT jump into the riptide trying to save someone that doesn’t want to be saved.

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