How Does OCD Affect Others?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be debilitating. However, its harmful effects aren’t limited to those with the condition. Family and friends are also impacted by the disorder. It’s important to understand how OCD can alter the lives of those around the person with OCD.

The Family

Families of people with OCD often must modify their expectations. To this end, they should avoid making sudden changes in their day-to-day lives. This helps accommodate the stressful impact a sudden change can have on the affected individual. Consequently, family members may need to temper their expectations surrounding spontaneity and casual disruptions.

Beyond the daily effects, there are also some possible long-term considerations that must be made. Many OCD individuals can maintain employment. However, people with the disorder can experience elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. This means that family members may be called upon to provide financial support to a loved one with OCD well into adulthood.

Friends

Friends will also need to modify their behaviour and expectations surrounding the afflicted person. OCD’s debilitating intrusiveness into the sufferer’s thoughts and behaviours can lead to sometimes confusing and frustrating actions that could be interpreted as rude or disrespectful.

Friends may be left waiting as the sufferer completes a ritual. Moreover, intrusive thoughts and feelings of acute anxiety could leave the sufferer unable to communicate normally.

Because of the stigma attached to the disorder and its symptoms, some individuals suffering from OCD may have difficulty opening up to their friends. This could lead to a feeling that trust has been breached or that the person with the disorder has been keeping secrets.

The Workplace

Those suffering from OCD may experience strained relationships in the workplace. Coworkers may find people with the disorder challenging to reach. Moreover, these coworkers may become frustrated if the OCD individual has difficulty focusing on a work-related task due to the need to participate in certain rituals. Also, those with OCD often avoid tasks and individuals that bring up feelings of anxiety.

Intimate Relationships

If you’re in a relationship with someone who has OCD, you may experience a litany of frustrations related to your partner’s illness.

Feelings of stress or anxiety, along with unwanted thoughts and repetitive, uncontrollable actions can leave both the sufferer and their significant other in distress.

Intimate partners will need to exercise patience and understanding. People in the grips of this disorder may have trouble regulating their actions and emotions. This can lead to annoyance or even emotional pain due to the ongoing nature of the symptoms. Finally, OCD-related anxiety, along with some related medications, can impact an individual’s sexual behaviour.

Conclusion

To understand “how does OCD affect others?”, you must acknowledge that the disorder is complex and stressful with far-ranging impacts. OCD-related symptoms can affect many aspects of a relationship, whether familial, platonic, romantic, or work-related. Additionally, the precise effects vary from one person to another.

It’s essential that all parties involved exercise patience, understanding, and empathy as everyone involved learns how to better manage the symptoms of OCD and their reactions to its symptoms.

OCD & CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for OCD disorders. This type of therapy teaches you how to modify the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to your condition. It also helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Access CBT offer CBT treatment for all types of depressive and anxiety disorder issues with in-person depression CBT Counselling in Liverpool or Online Support

The NHS UK also offers a number of support groups and advice for those suffering from OCD disorders