Dealing with OCD — When Instincts Are Wrong

So many times in my life, especially in my role as a mom, I have trusted my instincts when faced with difficult decisions. When my son was dealing with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, I again trusted my instincts, and while my gut feelings often led me down the right path, there are times when all they did was lead to trouble. As it turns out, trusting your instincts in relation to OCD is not always the best way to go — especially when dealing with family accommodation. Family accommodation refers to a family member’s participation or assistance in the rituals of their relative with OCD. Some common examples of family accommodation include reassuring (continually answering questions like, “Will I be okay if I do this or don’t do that?”), altering a family’s plans or routines, and giving in to your loved one’s OCD related requests. By accommodating in these ways, we are basically adding fuel to the fire. While we might help reduce our loved one’s anxiety in the short-term, we are, in the long-term, prolonging the vicious cycle of OCD. Studies have concluded that more family accommodation leads to more severe cases of OCD, and more distress among families. My family and I were as guilty as can be when it came to accommodating, especially before our son Dan began proper treatment. This is where the instincts came in. As a mother, I just wanted to make everything all right and relieve my child’s pain. That was my instinct. So if Dan wanted to eat i...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety Caregivers Family Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Psychology Psychotherapy anxious thoughts Avoidance Enabling ERP Therapy Exposure Response Prevention Therapy Family Accommodation Instincts Obsessions Ocd Rituals Sev Source Type: news