[jadedbutterfly]

He's OCD among other things, and because of health problems that his ocd meds were contributing to he hasn't been on any for about 3 months.
I am trying to just listen when he can't let go of a thought ... but it's getting worse. How do I nudge him to go back to his PDoc without it coming out negatively ... or him getting angry with me... like the "trying to fix him" thing
suggestions please....

[Grey Matter]

This can be a very sensitive issue, especially if he choose to come off of medication on his own accord. Especially if they were making other health issues worse. I'd say to just be very careful. As someone with OCD, I know it can be scary when someone brings up medications because it's one of my intrusive thoughts; that medication will kill me, etc.

Maybe ask him how he is feeling. Ask if he thinks there is anything that would help him manage his OCD, and go from there. Good luck.

[jadedbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Teen Idle

This can be a very sensitive issue, especially if he choose to come off of medication on his own accord. Especially if they were making other health issues worse. I'd say to just be very careful. As someone with OCD, I know it can be scary when someone brings up medications because it's one of my intrusive thoughts; that medication will kill me, etc.

Maybe ask him how he is feeling. Ask if he thinks there is anything that would help him manage his OCD, and go from there. Good luck.

what would be acceptable when he is "stuck" in his thinking and he can't get out from it... yesterday he was caught up with an issue it was making him miserable.. he couldn't sleep. actually told me "I just can't get past this, I've got all this rage building"... the issue was not important, even to him... but he couldn't stop the thinking of it over and over... I feel bad that I can't help him through these situations

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

First of all, it sounds like you're maybe enabling him, or, ... re-enforcing the false power of the thoughts, akin to worshiping a false God, giving that God more power, and only serving to strengthen the false worship. (I watched far too much Stargate :P) He or she may feel like he's or she's fine and can handle it on his or her own, but that doesn't seem to be the case, if he's or she's going to you for reassurance all the time. I know this from experience, because, unfortunately, I've done the same thing to my best mate, and my dad. :| Neither of them realised they were enabling me, ... I'm using psych-speak, but personally, I found it actually helped me, but then I think it was different, ... I know sometimes I look for reassurance, and other times I just - y'know - need to get something off my chest. I think your friend will know the difference, even if he or she will struggle to admit it.

Sometimes the thoughts and/or guilt of them, can feel so intense that you need answers or reassurance, but every time someone does that, they are only strengthening the thoughts in the first place.

Your friend really needs to get back to a doctor.

Honestly, as hard as it is to make that step to get help for OCD - this type - he or she very likely needs more than just medication, ... heck, I'm not even on medication. CBT would probably do him or her the world of good, as would perhaps a support group; these did wonders for me, in making me feel less alone, and more used to the subject of OCD, ... almost like desensitizing myself form it. Don't get me wrong, being there, understanding, and stuff, is all very awesome help, but, if at all possible, try to recognise when he's just looking for reassurance (a similar action would be ruminating, organising, cleaning, tidying, counting, touching, etc) and when he needs to just talk and not feel so alone.

If he or she has anything like what I have, he or she probably often feels very alone and possibly scared, so it's always a huge help to have someone there that is open and understanding. I love my brah to bits for how he has always been there, understanding, and welcome for me to ramble nonsense. xD Speaking of rambling.. I'm going to stop, now. :P

Oh, one more thing - as to the issue you exampled: he or she needs to... oh bollocks, I've just realised it's a he.. lol, I'm not editing all those he's, she's, hims, hers, etc. :P Anywho.. he knew it wasn't important, so that's good. The best thing I can suggest for a time like that, is distraction and some sort of grounding technique, such as using the senses like smell, touch, hearing, to ground him and bring him in this moment so as to get out of that endless loop. When I'm having a mental moment like that, anxiety is probably very high, which only makes the thoughts worse, so at that point listening to music, watching funny programmes, fiddling with textures he likes and that stick out to him, and especially using something like incense, would all aid in calming him down a bit. Oh, also, because anxiety plays such a pivotal role with OCD, it would be good to try breathing techniques, if he doesn't already.

OK, tired and my brain isn't working well, now, so that's all from moi. Hope I helped. Good luck!

[jadedbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Teen Idle

Maybe ask him how he is feeling. Ask if he thinks there is anything that would help him manage his OCD, and go from there. Good luck.

I took your advice and I asked him what he would like me to do or say to help.... first he told me all the things not to say... which was good info... then he called me back later and told me that just saying "what can you do" might help him refocus ..even if it is just for a moment...

[jadedbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Akuma

Your friend really needs to get back to a doctor.
The best thing I can suggest for a time like that, is distraction and some sort of grounding technique, such as using the senses like smell, touch, hearing, to ground him and bring him in this moment so as to get out of that endless loop.
Oh, also, because anxiety plays such a pivotal role with OCD, it would be good to try breathing techniques, if he doesn't already.
Hope I helped. Good luck!

Thank you for your feedback...
He sees a T, but needs a Pdoc... but with his physical health probs, the pdoc he has wasn't taking all that into consideration... hence why he is off his psych meds.
He knows all about grounding and refocusing techniques... he just gets upset recently when I suggest any of them. I did talk/ask him what I could say to help... right now, not much except to say "what can you do" so that I am not telling him to "fix" his situation.... which I hate it when someone does that to me when I am off the rails... Thanks again