How can I help my friend?

Question

I have a friend at school who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it a thing that makes her have stupid fears. She thinks there are drugs everywhere. I really don't want to watch her suffer but how can I help her? I really feel sorry that she has to deal with this terrible disorder. How can I convince her that there are no drugs at school? She has to take a long shower every day she gets home from school. Anyway, I am really glad that she told me because I really want to help her.

I want to know tips to prevent her from thinking that there are drugs everywhere. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Antidepressant drugs and behavior therapy are very helpful in treating OCD. The type of behavior therapy most often used to treat OCD is called exposure and response prevention. It consists of having people confront their fears head-on by gradually increasing their exposure to them. With help from friends like yourself, family, and a therapist, your friend can learn to overcome their anxieties. If, for example, if she showers for a long time because she fears being dirty or contaminated, her doctor may stand in the bathroom with her and prevent her from showering until the anxiety goes away. This process also involves learning ways to relax, such as breathing exercises.
Symptoms of OCD can be effectively managed with treatment. Without treatment, the disorder may last a lifetime, becoming less severe from time to time, but rarely going away completely. In some people, OCD occurs in episodes, with years free of symptoms before a relapse. Advances in therapy and new medicines are helping many people with OCD live productive lives. Make sure you include her family in your therapy. She and her family may benefit from reading books and viewing videos on OCD, and from joining support groups.
Letting her know that she’s not alone is very important. There are millions of people affected by OCD, and there are national groups devoted to helping people with this disorder. Remember that over 90% of people with OCD can manage this disorder with proper treatment. Try these organizations for more help:
The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation is a worldwide, not-for-profit organization that provides support and information to those who have OCD, their families and friends, and medical professionals. The address is: The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 70, Milford, CT 06460-0070. The phone number is [phone]. The Web site address is http://www.ocfoundation.org.
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA), through its national office and affiliates, is dedicated to improving the mental health of all Americans and achieving victory over mental illness. For information on support groups or community mental health services, call NMHA's Information Center toll free at 1-800-969-NMHA. NMHA's Web site address is http://www.NMHA.org.

Answer 2

I'm not convinced there's anything wrong with your friend. Whether she's right or wrong about there being drugs at school; that doesn't make her mentally ill. How long is a long shower? Lots of people like long showers. Is there something else going on with your friend that you forgot to mention? Does she walk around constantly saying "drugs, drugs, drugs, oh, drugs are here at school, I know, I know, I know"? Yes, that would be strange, and maybe she does need help. Or it is just something she talks about a lot but in a normal way? That wouldn't sound like a big deal to me, although I might get tired of hearing about it.

Answer 3

Is she getting professional help for this? If not, she needs to as soon as possible.

Be a supportive friend. Trying to convince her drugs are not at school is futile...because drugs ARE at school. So don't try that approach. Ask her where she sees the drugs. If she says she doesn't see them, then tell her she needs to think rationally.

Answer 4

You need to find out why she thinks there are drugs at your school. There might be or she might have seen something. Maybe talk to her parents or a school counciller about how you can help her

Answer 5

She's probably right about the drugs.

Everywhere I go I see these stores with big signs on them - -

"D R U G S"

and like that. Heck, I never go to school without tylenol, advil, and ibuprofen in my backpack, just in case.

Answer 6

1st off Willow, she won't take drugs for it... she's afraid of them lol... an as for this question, drugs are in every school, she must accept that first. Maybe she needs to restore her self confidence, perhaps she isn't secure with herself saying no to drugs... if she learns how to say no to peer pressure she can lose this silly fear.

Answer 7

I have OCD. She needs medication to help control her symptoms. And you shouldn't think of them as stupid fears, but irrational ones. Just be supportive and be there for her. And any things that she does that you think are strange, don't question them, or feel the need to understand. Just know it's OCD and don't call attention or pay attention to the strange things.

Answer 8

perhaps there may be drugs for this
she doesn't formulate rational outcomes as u do
seems like u r having a conversaton but u r not
seek professional treatment
(go see the doc)

Answer 9

There is nothing you can do for your friend. OCD is a psychiatric disorder and she needs medical attention, especially if it interferes with her life. They have medications for that kind of stuff too.

Answer 10

Has she been diagnosed? You can tell her as many times as you would like, but that wouldn't change. You just have to accept your friend the way she is.