.webp)
Knowing how to support a loved one who is facing OCD or anxiety can bring powerful rewards amid the challenges. You may recognize that strong desire to ease someone’s distress. However, one of the most important tips for how to help someone with OCD and anxiety is to offer support that promotes healing rather than reinforces their fears.
With that in mind, Rose Wellness shares some mindful and compassionate strategies they cover during their professional Maryland OCD and anxiety therapy sessions.
Insight Into OCD and Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition. Professionals characterize it as intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors (rituals). Most often, the person performs these obsessions and rituals to alleviate underlying anxiety.
Anxiety disorders manifest as excessive worry and fear to the point of interfering with daily life. When understanding how to help someone with OCD and anxiety, it’s good to recognize that both conditions overlap. These conditions reinforce similar behaviors, too.
From the beginning, it’s helpful to give the person support that doesn’t enable avoidance behaviors or compulsions. Don't eliminate or overlook their anxiety. Instead, focus on encouraging them to take on healthy coping mechanisms.
Encourage Exposure, Not Avoidance
When it comes to OCD and anxiety, many professional therapists consider Exposure and Response Prevention an effective strategy. ERP gradually confronts the person’s feared situations so that they can work on resisting compulsive responses. Moving through the therapy can remove many of their anxiety triggers.
You can support your loved one by helping them face small fears in safe ways. For example, if they fear germs, they could touch a doorknob and wait before washing their hands. Acknowledging their bravery when they engage in this kind of exposure also reinforces these positive steps.
Remove triggers where possible. Continued avoidance only strengthens anxiety in the long run.
Set Boundaries Regarding Reassurance
Many individuals with OCD and anxiety seek frequent reassurance. For example, they may ask questions about things they have forgotten or want you to confirm there is no imminent danger. Reassurance feels natural and seems comforting, but supporting them in this way may reinforce their anxiety.
When considering how to help someone with OCD and anxiety, it’s healthier to encourage them to manage the uncertainty, not explain it away. Remind them of successful therapy strategies, like mindfulness. Boost their confidence in their own ability to handle uncertainty and not avoid it.
Introduce Mindfulness as a Coping Tool
People find power in dealing directly with intrusive thoughts while preventing harmful mental images or ideas from sticking. In that way, mindfulness can help OCD and anxiety sufferers constructively handle their thoughts by noticing them but not actually engaging with them. Exercises like deep breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and guided meditations help.
Ultimately, mindfulness reminds your loved one that thoughts are just thoughts.
Reduce the Power of Rituals
OCD creates mental angst, so the person often seeks out rituals like excessive hand washing, repetitive checking, or repeating phrases. These behaviors provide temporary relief, which reinforces the cycle. Over time, these behaviors consume more time and energy, making it harder to resist compulsions.
Could you help your loved one modify or delay their ritualistic responses? Knowing how to help someone with OCD and anxiety means not participating in their rituals. Don’t check the locks on their behalf.
Address Avoidance and Encourage Small Steps
A common response to anxiety is staying away from certain places, people, or activities that cause distress. Unfortunately, this only makes the anxiety worse.
Could you encourage your loved one to take small steps toward facing their fears? If they avoid social situations, help them start with a short interaction rather than avoiding it altogether.
Additional ways to support your loved one include:
- Educate yourself about OCD and anxiety. Understand what they’re experiencing.
- Encourage professional help. ERP and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are highly effective.
- Be patient and compassionate. Healing is not linear. Setbacks are normal.
- Take care of yourself. Supporting someone is emotionally draining, no matter what they’re facing.
Remember to celebrate small victories along the way, too!
Find the Right Support at Rose Wellness
It can be incredibly difficult to watch a loved one struggle. Therapists can provide a safe and authentic space where these individuals and those who support them explore their challenges and develop effective coping strategies.
Now that we've touched on how to help someone with OCD and anxiety, why not consider professional help? Located in Maryland, Rose Wellness specializes in mindfulness and strengths-based approaches to overcoming depression and anxiety. Contact us today at (202) 681-1348 or fill out our therapy inquiry form online.
