What not to say to someone with OCD

If you'd like help with your OCD, call or text us at [phone], or schedule a call to connect with one of our OCD trained therapists: home.treatmyocd.com/calendar?...
Dr. McGrath is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Head of Clinical Services at NOCD. He is also the President of OCD Midwest an affiliate of the IOCDF), the President of Anxiety Centers of Illinois, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and NOCD, and the author of The OCD Answer Book and Don't Try Harder, Try Different.
NOCD's Website: www.treatmyocd.com/
NOCD App: apple.co/2mqjCTe
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:22 "I'm a bit OCD too"
1:14 "How many times a day do you wash your hands?"
1:51 "Will you ever be able to live a normal life?"
2:41 "If I move this, will it bother you?"
3:25 How NOCD can help you and your loved ones with OCD

[@aubreymeyer6852]

I hate when ppl say they have ocd just bc they have to organize their pens or their rooms. Like bro, that’s not all it is.

[@aubreymeyer6852]

Your average Varian fangirl exactly

[@lauravickery7719]

Or some people say it as a joke ever think about that?

[@aubreymeyer6852]

laura vickery exactly

[@loganmargot_]

exactly

[@mayhem6863]

My friend says it as if its a good thing

[@FionaA17]

People are like I have OCD im so neat, i like to organise. Like if that was what my ocd was id be so happy

[@CouncilofPerseus]

@Fei Myoppa break up and date me just kidding lol

[@athleticss1420]

Lol like oh you clean a lot? LOVE THAT FOR YOU. I feel too insane and depressed to even attempt to clean.

[@TriplicateTrey]

I like this guy. I don’t know him. But I really like him.

[@lebroonjahames1979]

I have severe OCD and I tell people that and they're like "I have OCD and my OCD is I like my room clean" me:no

[@CarltonSmith45]

Thank you for making this, it bugs me so much when people go on and on about their "OCD" like it's a fun quirk. I don't wanna gatekeep, or participate in a measuring contest but when people do that I think back to the time as a kid when I couldn't leave my room for several hours cause "I had to turn the doorknob in just the right pattern first." It's definitely not a cute quirk.

[@noeditzzone]

There’s a difference between having OCD and being a clean freak. My OCD is so crippling and it has to be one of the worst cases ever. I can’t keep stuff in my room except for 3 books; I can’t read the books that I do keep in my room; I can’t wear boxers, jumpers and hoodies. So even if I’m cold, I can’t do anything. I’m in a mental hospital rn and I feel like I’m getting better. I feel like when I go home, because it’s a different environment, I won’t be able to do the OCD routines above anymore. But if I go home and develop new routines, only God knows what I’m going to do with myself.

[@tambourine36]

Just put one foot in front of the other and keep trying

[@Zgembo121]

Great video, thanks

[@willowtree6966]

Thanks for sharing.

[@emilynewman6533]

Ocd is like so annoying. You have to check. It’s not gonna do anything but it’s gonna kill you inside to not do it. You have to do it otherwise you freak out.

[@THEAnnEla]

My dad used to move things around the house and made fun of me when I put them back to place...

[@jaswag-hr1en]

I have so much OCD that i always check if my tv settings are correct every 5 minutes

[@savvy7146]

Thank you

[@syragacha9628]

I dont even want to explain how many people have said extremely stupid things

[@SovereignVoid]

😂 I love this video so much. People are so out of touch with what OCD is actually like. Can confirm that the intrusive thoughts are debilitating and painful. For perspective for folks that do not have OCD, imagine living 18 hours a day knowing that the overwhelming majority of thoughts in your head would make Hitler look like a nice person. Imagine anxiety on a scale of a massive earthquake and triggered by lint ball sized comments that everyone else can easily filter away without a second thought. Imagine having to live with yourself knowing that people that you love and care about you fantasize about torturing. That's kind of what OCD is like a lot of the time. Obviously we're judged and differentiated by our actions and not our thoughts but a lifetime of servitude and being beaten down does a number on someone. So no you do not have a little OCD. In fact you don't have a clue

[@tambourine36]

Good explanation

[@anireadsbooks3544]

i know different people have different types of ocd but for me it's that if i don't touch something an even amount of times i wont feel fulfilled or i'll have regret not touching it an even amount of times. so to battle it i touch it an odd number of times

[@CuteAnimals-gl5pr]

So true I have true OCD

[@eeor]

All OCD is the same. Mental compulsions are always done

[@MsElephantlover3]

I'm getting to know a guy but from the beginning he told me he has ocd and that he hoped I don't have a problem, but that it's best for me to know. I want to learn how I could help or just how to make it work with him... Any advice?

[@randomname5318]

As someone with ocd and with seeing things that other people with ocd have said, stuff like "don't think about that" or "tell me what your thinking about specifically", are always things that have bothered me and others the most. Edit: grammar

[@treatmyocd]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out to NOCD. We encourage you to check out our blog, "How Can I Help My Partner With Their OCD?" at the link: www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-can-i-help-my-partner-with-their-ocd We also offer many great blogs on our website treatmyocd.com about OCD in general. Hope this helps!

[@dennisdueck3303]

R U N

[@yaboysamshep1470]

It’s crazy , I was diagnosed with ocd at 3 years old , it started out as smelling my hands over and over , opening my toy car door over and over , I knew something was wrong when I was about 9 years old I would worry about me stepping in a garden hose because I didn’t want to hurt it , as I became a young adult is has changed it was intrusive thoughts and excessive guilt and it would get so severe I would have mind fog and what feels like panic attacks , I reach out to loved ones to get reassurance “do you think I’m okay” ““ am I good” over and over , I can go a month without one but there’s certain things that trigger it and it’s usually if I can’t control something or if I have a doubt , it seems as if these doubts also fog my memory to where I can’t remember these things that triggered the obsessive thoughts so I try to break it down bit by bit and see if what i did was okay and it’s a vicious cycle , I’ve had it last for months at one time , but there are certain triggers and I’m just not sure how to get out of the loop once I’m in

[@triciaosullivan6582]

What about low dose naltrexone, it looks promising for ocd, what are your thoughts. Thanks.

[@kathleenc8]

How about "you don't have OCD. You just like things done a certain way"? Yes, I was told this the other day. I was told that by calling what I have OCD, I am slapping the people who have " true" OCD in the face. She also said that I SHOULD NOT self diagnose. I am not. I got my info from a psychologist 15 or so years ago. Now, I do agree with this other girl. They have made changes in the world of psychology. And OCD isn't necessarily what it was back then. This other girl said I could have OCPD. Never heard of it or researched it. But it could be possible. The problem with the first person is that she doesn't know what I think or do on a daily basis. So how would she know? Another thing you should NEVER say to a person with OCD, "you don't look like someone with OCD". I'm sorry, but what does someone with OCD look like? I am human. That is the ONLY thing similarity for anyone with OCD! I am normal looking just like everyone else on Earth.

[@tambourine36]

Go by your original diagnosis and don't let people who are not trained try to change your mind and rediagnose. I knew I had OCD long before I was diagnosed and one doctor tried to tell me I had ocpd too which is obsessive compulsive personality disorder and different from having OCD. It's a personality disorder and personality disorders are generally not treated with meds. OCD is. This doctor did not like diagnosing anything and in fact made many misdiagnosis with me. The person dealing with it knows best. The right doctor doesn't take long to figure out the things going on with you. Stick with keeping up treating your OCD and working hard to have a happy life

[@twinfantasycrochet]

"just stop" i hate this one the most, my worst ocd issue is that everything must be done in pairs of 2, 2 seconds between things, 2 inches apart for food, 2 taps on the door, washing hands twice in a row, its awful. i cant just stop, intrusive thoughts just dont go away dude

[@marketlider2811]

They do If you really accept that your fears may come true and be okay with a scenario where ALL your fears came true.

[@KautRB]

Does being sensitive to and critical of what other people say help or hinder ourself? I believe the moment I affect others with my (ocd) beliefs, I’ve become much worse. Shouldn’t I mind my own business, especially if I have real OCD?

[@anthonyrodas8444]

My friend told me I give him a weird vibe but like idk if he was joking and I have anxiety and have negative thought and I get way more anxiety then I use to

[@cottontop9276]

Just got my first face to face interaction with my OCD neighbor, she is very very concerned that my garden hose is not on a hose reel. So she comes knocking on my door to tell me she saw 3 of them for sale at DAV store and I should go get one, but she wraps her hose around the gas meter? Wow hello outer limits, or is this the twilight zone?

[@boujimobbin9530]

I have ocd and my husband calls me crazy and tells me I have a disease and he goes against my ocd issues and does not try to help me not have an ocd attack and it’s really messing up our relationship. Do you have a video I can send him on how to not trigger an ocd person if they explain to you which ocd issues they have and they don’t think it’s a big deal to them so they don’t take it seriously like not using the fancy towels in the bathroom, not helping keep decor in its proper place and so many other things like that !

[@treatmyocd]

Hi There, thanks for reaching out. We are sorry to hear what you are going through. Here is a quick blog from our website "How Can I Help My Partner With Their OCD?" Feel free to check it out!: www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-can-i-help-my-partner-with-their-ocd

[@damianlopez7630]

I'm sorry your husband is inconsiderate and selfish. Sorry for my hard words. I dont know your husband. But I know what its like when family members and a partner purposely trigger your OCD. My family and my partner (she) dont give a sh*t about my condition. I have turned to alcohol to the point I'm already a chronic alcoholic and they all are responsible- for the most part. They are inconsiderate and selfish. Even though I have explained to them multiple times and Really clearly. I'm 49 years old. I'm not necessarily a teenager. And everytime the family or stupid partner trigger me it takes me hours or days to recover only to be re triggered again minutes later. They are doing it in purpose just for kicks. Just to see me suffer. They are some kind of evil. That is why now I avoid talking to them or being around them. I isolate myself to avoid being triggered. But sometimes I just cant stay isolated.

[@sarahviii]

I know what that’s like. It sucks when family makes fun of you (“all in jest,” of course)... they make fun and trigger you and you ask hem to stop. They laugh. You try to explain how panicked you are... but they keep laughing. And once you snap and scream... they look at you like you’re crazy and turn it around on you for “not being able to take a joke.” Try to explain this to others and get treated like you’re paranoid. *face palm* Where do we get a support team without paying a lot.

[@amelia-mayhowarth5667]

My friend is like 'Sorry, thats giving me OCD' when something isnt neat, and i dont want to be rude.. bcs ive searched it up and ive got the symptoms, its really stressful, and if i do then whoopty do, my friends already blocking me out and i hate it, whenever i bring up that im worried about it, shes goes quiet, i just started crying bcs she doesnt like the fact im not happy, she wants the attention, shes the comidien.. but shes also depressed and needs comfort.. ik its highly unlikely but please say *someone* can relate

[@Hippyme]

I know someone who has this and they destroy every relationship they encounter. The person doesn't even realise they have it. Its like being on eggshells around this person

[@floweryunicorn8888]

You can't really know they have it unless you're in their head. It could literally be any condition.

[@Chiller-pc1dv]

Were they diagnosed?

[@kwestfan1003]

I have ocd where I think my hands are always dirty and oily it affects me for about two years now.my family lifts at me. I also have something we’re I get paranoid something bad is going to happen is that also it? Btw I rapidly wash my hands with and without soap

[@poopskinniccer9992]

That's paranoia what your talking. I had that also were I thought that there were m#derers looking for me

[@brianna5183]

that definitely sounds like OCD

[@subiesweetheart2087]

Anyone else obsessing over ocd videos because the person they loved has said stuff isn't because of ocd or has blamed us etc now we obsessing over it. Cause me hear all day ruined my hole off day.

[@freealternativestreaming2404]

I have an OCD brother who hates me for who I am. He attacks and outbursts all the time, so I severed the connection. The majority of videos give advice to other people on how to deal with family members with OCD but we really need to some point "protection" from their emotional and physical outbursts and attacks... They tend to hurt other people intentionally and they are cunning enough to use their diagnosis to manipulate others. In my experience, no one deserves to be treated like that (be it with a disorder or not). Sometimes, they have to help themselves, we can't ruin our mentality just because they are so stubborn. Advice on how to be protected from a family member with OCD anyone?

[@Chiller-pc1dv]

I have OCD, had it for over 20 years and have never had outbursts or attacks. I don't think there will be advice for that, because those aren't symptoms of OCD. Any "outbursts" are usually inwards, moreso mental breakdowns than anything. I've been frustrated, but it's all directed at myself. Are you sure your brother has OCD? Or even just OCD? Because getting violent and nasty isn't part of the disorder.

[@lctTikTok]

I have ocd

[@scottcummings8602]

I was scammed out of $400 by NOCD. If you use NOCD, the only thing that will disappear is your bank account. You are simply strung along for weeks and weeks before this supposed "gold standard" treatment begins. Then if/when you get there, you realize it's a joke. I've wasted a month and $400 with NOCD.

[@rayhack4255]

My room mate has it. The guy goes and buys stacks of tennis shoes, TVs that don't work, talks to himself, has six flash lights. Runs me nuts. Looking for another place now.

[@samotr7713]

bro ur being rude . my friend has ocd and autism and im taking a good care of him. Even tho he is sick or being weird, he’s addicted to Paint Thinners and i still treat him nicely to make him be happy

[@ordinarydragon8764]

Nice!! Xd

[@kylanstover6748]

Question is stress-induced OCD a thing

[@kylanstover6748]

@Michael Ciciarelli thank you

[@brianna5183]

i don’t really agree with the above comment- i think it’s different for everyone but OCD is more than just stress. it could be OCD that is being aggravated by stress. I know when i am anxious or stressed i get a lot worse with my OCD.

[@kylanstover6748]

The reason why I'm asking the question is because I've been diagnosed with "stressed induced OCD" And how works for me is if I have someone I dislike or hate touch Something that I use I would refuse to touch that said object Because when I touch it it gives me like a feeling that something's crawling all over my hands like tiny little spiders Sorry if it's hard to read I can't type real well

[@audraburke1526]

Great video! But... To say you either have a OCD or no disorder at all I think is wrong. I believe people without OCD can have some obsessions and compulsions but are able to dismiss these thoughts and actions. They just aren't as strong and controlling. I totally understand what point he was trying to make though.

[@floweryunicorn8888]

The fact that they are able to dismiss them like you said , means they don't have ocd. Ocd is about not being able to dismiss them no matter what. For something to be called a disorder, it has to be causing genuine problems or else it's simply NOT a disorder.

[@metaiicc]

My dad keeps saying stuff about my ocd when trying to "lecture me". Like "why do you always do this with your hands" or "why do you keep wasting water" "your so wierd". And when I try to tell him he just gets angry and ignores thinking I am making it up and just being "maarte" which I don't know how to translate to English. And just say "eh just do this" "stop using your phone then" "your gonna destroy your keyboard then

[@vladimir19111996]

People who afirm that they have a Little ocd are assuming that because of their personality traits. Is well known that there are also patologies in personality. One of them is oc personality disorder and it can be scored from 0 to 100. Then if u have 40 of this trait you could Say you have a Little ocd.

[@k.l.c._]

I disagree. A person can have mild, moderate, or severe OCD. I know Simone with mild OCD. She doesn’t wash hands or check and recheck she’s just obsessed with Cleaning

[@floweryunicorn8888]

That's not what ocd is at all. Anyone can be obsessed with anything. It's not the same thing.

[@Chiller-pc1dv]

OCD is an anxiety based disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to compulsive behaviors. Are you sure this person has OCD?

[@coconoir6187]

I disagree with your explanation about "normal life." I hate people when they say there's no such thing as normal life. "Who lives s normal life?" That's one thing I hate to hear, especially from a therapist. Hate is a string word I rarely use and I have to use it for this. I hope this helps you. I feel disgusted whenever someone tells me that. Because the normal life spoken in this context means life without OCD. You are instead taking only the literal meaning of the word and preaching what it generally means. I am telling you this to help you understand better. You're taking the word "normal" superficially and not understanding the feeling of the person who uses that word in that specific context, so you are inadvertently dismissing the feeling of the person. When I hear a therapt telling me there is no such thing as normal life, I change a therapist. I feel dismissed, misunderstood, the therapist sounds condescending. I hope this helps. People who have no disorder,, no traumatic past, tend to say that. It's dismissiing, totally. You are not understanding the person who makes that statement. by saying there's no such thing, you are dismissing the concern of the person. That should be one of the things not When I say I want a normal life, have a standard in my head which is a life without a disorder