need advice RE: friend who's OCD

[wonderwoman]

I know very little about OCD and would like those of you with OCD to advise me how i can help my friend who has OCD.

This friend of mine was diagnosed with Asperger's/OCD. He told me he sees a therapist, but refuses to take meds because he said his past experience with meds made him too tired. He said the longest he's been on meds was for 6 months. I have no idea what meds he's been on. He seems to avoid talking about this whenever i try to bring it up.

I'm not super close with him but i've known him for several yrs. His ocd manifests in compulsive thoughts. For as long as i've known him all he wants to talk to me about are the same obsessions. He was bullied by someone when he was young and he tells me about this continuously. He obsesses about revenge and how he thinks everyone targets him and how his life was ruined because of this one childhood trauma. He also obsesses about his fear of hell and how he sees god as a tyrant...like the bully of his childhood. He obsesses as to why did god allow this to happen. I try to talk "sense" to him and explain that god loves him etc, but it's the same conversation over and over. It's sooooo exhausting. Am i feeding his obsessions by talking to him about it? What should i do when he brings up these recurrent topics? He's a cop and has a gun. He seems to fantasize about revenge a lot and how to get back at those who have bullied him and this scares me......i'm not scared that he will be a danger to me, but to those who he feels have bullied him. He's never done anything (as far as i know), but has been talking about these fantasies for like 15 yrs.

 

[goldenviolet]

good news that he is in theraphy. the only thing you can do is continue to be supportive. unless you are trained or a professional, you'll not really beable to assist him without knowing how and when you can help him. these are vert complicated illnesses. maybe ask him if you come to theraphy with him, to find out how you can help; and get his specific diagnosis details. give him some time to think about it. it's a big decision to allow someone to meet your theraphist in session: and he may need to talk to therapist about any privacy concerns he has. and lastly, bless youyr heart! i'm glad your friend has your love and blessings. xo dee

 

[mccarty]

Within the aspects of the Christian faith, I would keep the Biblical dialogue as grace centered as possible, perhaps as childlike as possible, too. OCD/early childhood trauma and Old Testament reading in particular can be a very unhealthy combination. In your friend's case, then, just remember that we're New Testament believers and Christians.