I am about to go crazy. I have never in my life felt so helpless. My brother has OCD. He's smart, very smart, but he got kicked out of college because he simply could not do the work. He didn't go to class, he never studied because he couldn't because of OCD, he never did his homework. He was there on a full scholarship. Now he's here with my mom and I. My dad works abroad.
We don't know what to do. My mom started crying today because she simply does not know what to do. He stays up all night and sleeps all day. He sits in the bathroom for hours at a time. literally hours, he was in there for four or five hours once. How long are you gonna bang on the door for? I want to help him, my mom wants to help him, my dad wants to help, everyone wants to help him obviously, we can't stand seeing him like this but what do we do? There're limits to compulsion. He sits down in one place and you can't get him to get up. I've never tried it before but I tried force today, it doesn't work.
2006-10-13 15:21:46 · 8 answers · asked by HomePerson 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
He held on to our dining table, his head down, his eyes closed. It scared me. I felt like I was dealing with someone who was crazy. I know how hard it must be being him, actually I dont, but I can imagine. No one understands him, and his family, especially his parents are always on him about something or the other. I wish I knew how to deal with him. I know he's upset, I know he's having a very hard time living with us (this is his first semester at my university, away from the one he used to be in) because he tells his friends.
I would really, really appreciate any advice from someone who's either had it or known someone wells who did.
2006-10-13 15:26:51 · update #1
oh, another thing, he was on medication for a while and he's been to see two psychiatrists. Neither helped much and neither did the medicine. at least not visibly and when we asked him he said it hadn't.
And he's almost 24. I see what you're saying, but we're family. We're not going to abandon him, and we can't just sit back and watch. It's quite a dilemma.
2006-10-13 15:28:57 · update #2
Perhaps You have already tried but You might go to www.obsessive
compulsivedisorder.com
There is information that might be helpful. Sounds like He needs to see Someone who specializes in this area, perhaps not just a psych doctor.
You might call many specialists in Your area, or send emails, or Fax's explaining this situation. Sounds like You need lots of opinions and expertise. God Bless You all.......
2006-10-13 15:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry that you have to go through this! I have a mild case of OCD, and I also suffer from anxiety disorder. Before I was medicated, and while I was pregnant and couldn't take my medications, I drove my husband insane with my disorders. He was extremely supportive, but I could definitely tell how he was feeling, even when he tried hard not to show it. OCD is difficult to deal with, and it makes you feel so abnormal. This is most likely how your brother is feeling right now. He needs to know that his family supports him, no matter what, and doesn't think that he's insane. I know that you all want to help, and I think that's wonderful! The thing is though, if he's 24, he has to take some responsibility for himself throughout all of this. There's only so much that you can do to help him. The best thing right now is for him to find a doctor and get properly medicated. It's definitely the most important step in dealing with OCD. I wouldn't say that it's really a disorder that can be dealt with without medication - not for me anyway! Maybe you all could try to talk to him about taking that step and taking control of his life. Just don't forget to be supportive and let him know how much you care for him. Be there for him. That's the best thing that you and your family can do right now. I wish you luck! I hope everything works out for the best for your family.
2006-10-13 17:04:19 · answer #2 · answered by Megan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When OCD is this severe in a person Medication is definitely needed. I have a nephew who is pretty severe. Fortunately they caught it early enough. They have worked with him enough that he does not need such strong meds anymore. Allot of time and Patience was and still is needed.
I'm sorry for your pain and anxiety. I have a very small degree of OCD myself, but nothing close to what my nephew has to deal with. Please do yourself and your brother a favor and see a specialist. It may take a few tries as to what may be the best meds for him. There are some meds that may have some bad side affects, just keep a watchful eye.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-13 15:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by APACHE 7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OCD is a very serious condition. It is usually accompanied by depression, as well as anxiety. Sleep disorders also go along with this pattern. There are drugs to treat this condition. You cannot let him go on in this self destructive behaviour. Your brother needs immediate treatment by a competent psychiatrist or else its only going to get worse. He may be too ill to realize it himself, but one way or another, you have got to get him to a doctor, even if the only way to do so is by force. His life depends on it.
2006-10-13 15:30:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I truly have it. in basic terms with particular issues now. its basically stuff like I could use a undeniable bowl, or won't be in a position to install this shirt at present or i do no longer p.c. to the touch particular stuff. yet as quickly as I first have been given it 6 in the past, i had severe ocd. I had to count selection each and every thing and do each and every thing a undeniable form of circumstances - like i had to count selection 4 sips each and every time i drank, turn the channel decrease from side to side 4 circumstances, squirt liquid cleansing soap 4 circumstances. then the subsequent week the selection might substitute to 2, then 6, then 3, etc. or I had to placed on a undeniable outfit sooner or later, yet i did no longer p.c. to, so i basically ended up unlikely to college that day. and if i did no longer do it then my strategies might think of something might ensue to me or somebody in my family individuals. it replaced into destructive. yet as quickly as I went to college the ocd strategies thoroughly went away, it in basic terms got here approximately whilst i replaced into at abode. i had to make myself stop thinking something might ensue to me for doing that crap. for the final couple years that's been very virtually non-existant interior the stuff i do, thank god. that's undemanding now.
2016-12-26 18:47:03 · answer #5 · answered by mccloy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OCb is no more than a neurologic type of thing. A chapter in psychology might help. I ahave a really bad habit of smoking, or twirling my hair, and, no, I don't have all of the answers, but I can tell you that relaxation will help. You sound like a really nice person and I can tell that you really care about your friemd. Do all that you can do and that is alll that you can do!
2006-10-13 15:35:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have OCD, I'm currently on medicine to calm me down and I see a physciatrist. He's situaition might be different but I suggest he try again, I feel it has calmed me down alot because I was always up and being complusive about something.
2006-10-13 17:57:00 · answer #7 · answered by jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly if he is old enough for college there isn't much you can do, he needs some mental help for one though. Other then that he needs to also learn to take responsability of his own life. Get him into some counceling or something would be a start.
2006-10-13 15:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by prophacyks 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋