What are the Best Sources of OCD Support?

OCD support may come in many different forms depending on the type and degree of the disorder. People with milder symptoms may benefit from therapy or the assistance of family and friends. Those who experience truly debilitating symptoms may require more aggressive support, such as intensive behavioral therapy and support groups. For those who are disturbed by traditional interpersonal interactions, there are many supportive communities available online. The most important kind of OCD support is almost always some form of normalizing interruption to the compulsive routine, which is often better served by interactions with other people.

Therapy of some sort is usually suggested as a primary form of OCD support. A trained professional can usually identify helpful strategies for a person suffering from OCD based on his or her individual circumstances. After becoming familiar with the person's case, the therapist can often provide additional information to close friends or family that will help provide support at home. Also, with regular meetings, a therapist can track the patient's progress, adapt the therapy to suit changing needs, and address any problems that arise. While social support is helpful for recovery, most people find that professional help provides significant relief.

Some people with OCD benefit from unique therapy solutions involving unconventional forms of support. A special emotional support animal, for instance, may provide OCD support through companionship. Some people use exercise, while others embrace art, writing, or music. In general, the outlet through which the energies formerly related to compulsion are expelled should be accommodated, as this can be a very effective form of support that required little supervision.

While there are many OCD support groups, this is one illness that has created particularly strong communities online. Online groups may also meet in person or exist purely in a virtual form. These support groups not only provide moral help, but may also provide information gained from experience with OCD. In some cases, advice about medications, treatments, and strategies may be offered by members of the group as a supplement to professional medical advice. Having a trusted network of friends and supporters often helps people with OCD find treatment that works for them.

Given the broad range of symptoms and rituals associated with OCD, some people find that the best support comes from people with similar obsessions. Germaphobes, for instance, might have increased success when seeking support from other people with similar fears of germs. People who share similar rituals may be able to better communicate and share individual progress among people who understand the problem personally. Feeling that an opinion is understood and appreciated is one of the most important parts of attending OCD support groups. This sense of camaraderie often helps even severely disabled individuals regain some aspect of control.