Living with OCD
OCD and Stress
If you have OCD, you know that OCD and stress go together. While there are a number of ways that people choose to cope with OCD and stress, not all coping strategies are equally effective in managing OCD and stress – and in fact, some can do more harm than good. Let’s review coping with OCD and stress.
OCD Symptoms and Vacation - Coping with OCD Symptoms When on Vacation
Although many people find that their OCD symptoms improve while on vacation, for others the stress of travel, the change in routine and the loss of control over their environment can cause their OCD symptoms to worsen. How do you cope with OCD symptoms when on vacation?
OCD and College - Coping with OCD and College
College can be an exciting but stressful time. It is a period when many students are leaving home for the first time, dealing with new living arrangements, and managing a tight budget, as well as handling the demands of school. This is a challenging time under the best of circumstances, but can be even more stressful if you have OCD. Learn more...
OCD and Relationships
If you have OCD or are the family member, friend or partner of someone with OCD you probably know that OCD and relationships can sometimes be difficult to cope with. Learn more about coping with OCD and relationships.
Dating Someone With OCD
Although any intimate relationship has its ups and downs, dating someone with OCD can present some additional challenges. Above all, it is important to remember that an illness is what a person has, not who they are. Let’s explore how to cope with dating someone with OCD.
Depression and OCD - Coping with Depression and OCD
Depression and OCD often go together. Unfortunately, if you have depression and OCD there can be a negative impact on your treatment. Learn more about others experience coping with depression and OCD.
OCD and Exercise - Symptoms of OCD and Exercise
Some recent studies suggest there is a relationship between the symptoms of OCD and exercise. Do you currently exercise? Have you found a link between symptoms of OCD and exercise? If so, what kind of exercise have you found the most helpful?
Parenting and OCD - Parenting a Child With OCD
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have - especially when your child has a chronic illness like OCD. While it can sometimes feel overwhelming, many parents develop excellent coping strategies for managing both their child's OCD symptoms as well as their own stress levels. If you are the parent of a child with OCD, what coping...
OCD and H1N1
The 2009 influenza A or H1N1 pandemic has been a source of considerable worry for many people. However, this pandemic has the potential to be particularly stressful for people with OCD who experience obsessions and compulsions related contamination and/or infection. Let’s explore how to cope with contamination-related obsessions and compulsions in the midst of a pandemic.
Parenting a Child With OCD
Although we often think of obsessive compulsive disorder as an illness that affects mostly adults, between 1 and 3% of children will develop childhood OCD with the average age of onset being around approximately 10 years of age. While there is no doubt that parenting a child who has OCD can be a challenge, there are ways to cope.
OCD and Work: Dealing With Employers
For many people with OCD, seeking out, obtaining and maintaining gainful employment is a significant challenge. While symptoms of OCD themselves can get in the way of completing the required duties of a particular job, there is also the significant challenge of stigma, prejudice and discrimination that is associated with OCD and other forms of mental illness.
Coping With Worry
If you have OCD you probably know that you are more prone to experiencing worry than most. This worry can focus on the theme of your obsessions, the consequences of your illness or it can relate to everyday matters such as paying bills or performing well at work. Unfortunately, worrying can often consume quite a bit of energy and make it difficult to relax. Here are some tips for coping with worry.
OCD and Sexual Intimacy
If you have OCD, you know that it can be difficult to establish and maintain an intimate relationship. A major barrier for many people with OCD engaging in a romantic relationship is problems related to sexual functioning
Coping When a Family Member has OCD
As the family member of someone with OCD, it can be difficult to know what is the right thing to do, what to say or how to cope. Here are some tips for family members of people with OCD.
Will There Ever Be an OCD Cure?
As with all forms of mental illness, there is no known treatment which is a permanent OCD cure. OCD is generally thought of as a chronic illness meaning that it is something you will have to work on managing everyday. Although it can initially be difficult to accept, having a chronic illness like OCD requires you to shift your focus from a final cure to coping with OCD symptoms.
Coping With OCD When Starting College
Heading off to college can be a very exciting but stressful time. It is a period when you might have to deal with leaving home for the first time, meeting new people, getting used to different living arrangements, worries about money and the demands of school. This is a challenging time under the best of circumstances but can be even more stressful if you have OCD. Here are some tips to make it through this important transition.
Stigma and OCD
If you have OCD, you know that the stigma attached to mental illness can make it difficult to cope. Even though it is clear that OCD has biological roots, there are people who continue to believe that people challenged with mental illness should be able to “snap out of it.”. Have you ever been discriminated against or stigmatized because of...
How to Deal With Your OCD While on Vacation
Although many people find that their OCD symptoms improve while on vacation, for others the stress of travel, the change in routine and the loss of control over their environment can cause their OCD symptoms to get worse. Here are some tips to get the most out of your vacation.
OCD Coping Tips - How Do You Cope With OCD?
It is a fact of life that we will all experience stress from time to time. Life stress can range from daily annoyances to traumatic events that turn our lives upside down in an instant. Although feeling stressed out can make symptoms of OCD worse, some people are more resilient than others. Why is this? Part of the reason may be how people cope...
OCD Relationship - Overcome the Impact of OCD on Your Relationship
If you have OCD, you know that your symptoms can often get in the way of establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. Indeed, many individuals with OCD are single and those who are in a relationship or are married often report a significant amount of relationship stress. How has your OCD impacted your romantic relationships?
OCD and Romantic Relationships
If you have OCD, you know that your symptoms can often get in the way of establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. Indeed, many individuals with OCD are single and those who are in a relationship or are married often report a significant amount of relationship stress. Although the symptoms of OCD can pose a serious challenge to your love life, there are ways of coping.
Getting the Most Out of Your Doctor Appointment
An essential part of coping with OCD is making sure that you are able to make the most of your appointments with health professionals such as family doctors, psychiatrists, nurses and psychologists. Whether it is an initial meeting with your family doctor or the latest check-in with your psychiatrist or psychologist, here are some tips for getting the most out of your appointment.
Barriers to Seeking Treatment for OCD
Although effective treatments are available for OCD, research suggests that only about one-third of people with OCD actually seek treatment. Why is this? Find out where to get help for OCD.
Coping With OCD
It is a fact of life that we will all experience stress from time to time. Life stress can range from daily annoyances to traumatic events that turn our lives upside down in an instant. Although feeling stressed out can make symptoms of OCD worse, some people are more resilient than others. Why is this? Part of the reason may be how people cope with stress.
Living With OCD
Living with OCD is a lot like living with other types of chronic illness like diabetes or asthma; it requires courage, social support from friends, family, and co-workers, excellent coping skills, as well as a strong partnership with your primary health care provider. Find out about how to cope with OCD, reduce the triggers of OCD symptoms and deal with stigma.
Information for Partners and Families
In-depth information on coping with a partner or family member with OCD from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Illness.
Coping With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A story of a real-life successful coping with OCD.
Living With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Experts and people with OCD discuss living with OCD and other issues on National Public Radio.
Relaxation Breathing
Relaxation breathing or diaphragmatic breathing can have numerous physical and psychological benefits for people with OCD and other anxiety disorders.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best-self help strategies for reducing the severity of OCD symptoms. Get started with About.com's Guide to Exercise.
Dating Someone With OCD - Coping With Dating Someone With OCD
Although any intimate relationship has its ups and downs, dating someone with OCD can present some additional challenges -- as well as opportunities for growth. Share your experience coping with dating someone with OCD.
OCD and Substance Use Disorders
People affected by OCD are at greater risk for developing substance use. Although alcohol and drug use may initially mask OCD symptoms, in the long run combining OCD and substance use can make OCD symptoms worse, interfere with treatment and disrupt supportive relationships. Let's explore the relationship between OCD and substance use.
Sexual Obsessions in OCD
A key OCD symptom is obsessions, which are thoughts, images or ideas that won’t go away, are unwanted, and are extremely distressing or worrying. Among the most troubling are sexual obsessions. Let’s explore more about sexual obsessions in OCD.
OCD and Substance Use - Share Your Experience With OCD and Substance Use
People affected by OCD are at greater risk for developing substance use disorders. Although alcohol and drug use may initially mask OCD symptoms, in the long run using substances can make symptoms worse, interfere with treatment and disrupt supportive relationships. How do you cope with the temptation to use drugs or alcohol to deal with your...
OCD and Suicide
OCD is a chronic mental illness that is associated with significant disability and suffering. If a family member or friend with OCD is exhibiting the potential warning signs of suicide, it is important to know what to do.
Understanding OCD and Stress
If you have OCD, you know that stress is major trigger of OCD symptoms and can often get in the way of treatment for OCD. As such, it is vital to...
OCD and Stress - Coping with OCD and Stress
If you have OCD, you know that one of the biggest triggers of OCD symptoms is stress. What are your top stress busters? Share your experience.
Excessive Reassurance Seeking
One of the things that the family and friends of people affected by OCD find to the be most stressful is dealing with the excessive reassurance seeking that can often accompanies OCD. Learn what excessive reassurance seeking is, why it perpetuates symptoms of OCD and what to do about it.
Children With OCD
Although many people think of OCD as a disorder that affects only adults, there are many children with OCD. While there are many similarities between adults and children with OCD, there are also many important differences.
OCD and Teenagers - Coping With OCD and Teenagers
Teenagers can be a challenge at the best of times. However, when your teenage son or daughter has OCD, it can present additional challenges. Parents often ask, how do I deal with my teenage son/daughter with OCD?
How do I Cope When a Family Member Refuses OCD Treatment?
One of the most frustrating things for family members of people with OCD is when the affected family member refuses to see a doctor or other mental health professional for assessment or treatment. What can you do to cope when your family member refuses treatment?
Do I have OCD Because of a Personal Weakness?
Many people with OCD will often blame personal weakness for experiencing symptoms of OCD, such as obsessions or compulsions. In reality, OCD is the result of a complex association between genetic and environmental risk factors such a family history of OCD or stress or illness experienced early in life.
Can people with OCD live normal and productive lives?
If you have OCD, you may feel like your life will never be "normal." Learn how you can lead a productive life with OCD.
Does having sexual and aggressive obsessions mean I want these things to happen?
Some people with OCD may worry that experiencing sexual or aggressive obsessions means that they actually want these things to happen.
