Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I was married to a man with OCD AND loved him madly, but eventually that coupled with other mental health issues and I had to divorce him or I would go insane. In those days they did not have as much help. I agree with Kristi. Definitely get some help for OCD and pronto. Or she won't have her family life. It's weird. When I was first reading this it reminded me when I was young and had kids all I did was exercise to get rid of the stress of living with that and I never felt beautiful enough for him. I thought it was all my fault that he wouldn't go into public places with me. So I kept thinking if I was more beautiful he'd go out. I didn't understand the germ thing. He wasn't clean though because chemicals scared him (soaps, detergents).I didn't know as much then and never realized how much suffering goes on inside of these people.You are kind to try to help her.

I disagree with at least one of your responses. I believe this is very much OCD!! And an eating disorder!! Both go hand in hand. My sister has an eating disorder and as a family who has lived this--it does center around OCD. Get her help....one way or the other. She needs counseling, therapy, and does need a psychiatrist to help her get proper meds. OCD is very treatable with proper meds, eating disorders are much harder to overcome. But hopefully with the right treatment she will be able to not feel the need to work so hard on her appearance. Oprah just did a show on OCD maybe go to her website and see if you can find some info or reference the show. The people on the show probably were a bit more extreme then your friend but it was a very informative show. Things like feeling the need to floss after every meal and things like this scream OCD!! Good Luck!!

This sounds more like anorexia rather than OCD. She needs to get into therapy to help her with this disease. Unfortunately, unless she is willing to work on her problems, she will probably not get the help she needs. Her husband has to try and convince her to get counseling, before she gets really sick.

She needs to get to a mental health professional who can help her get off the diet pills etc. and prescribe the correct treatment for her. She might even need rehab if she is severely addicted. Those pills are extremely addicting I believe. The doctor being judgemental is not helpful and is the wrong doctor for her to see right now. She does sound like a typical anoxeric, and the OCD behavior may be partially from that and partially from the DIET PILLS. Yes they effect your behaviours. She needs a good shrink, if necessary an intervention asap.

You are not describing OCD but maybe you did not give all of the relevant info. It certainly sounds more like an eating disorder. Plus, Zoloft is an anti-depressant and not typically prescribed for OCD. Either way, your friend needs some help. She sounds like she is addicted to the diets pills, which can be dangerous. Don't believe her offer to wean off the pills in 2-months. That is just avoidance- she wants to make her husband think she is willing to stop by making that offer. You are right- you don't need 2 months to stop diet pills. Is the doctor who prescribed the Zoloft a psychiatrist or primary care doc? She really needs to see a good psychiatrist to sort all of this out. Good luck!

This does sound like an eating disorder but most eating disorders have an OCD component or traits. Zoloft is prescribed for depression or anxiety (which OCD is an anxiety disorder).

If she were to do treatment for pills, she would need to be voluntarily admitted into the program. Alexian Brothers has a great specialized program for these types of issues. She could see a counselor and psychiatrist if needed on inpt or outpt basis.

I wonder if a physician is capable of diagnosing OCD.
I experienced undiagnosed postpartum depression & conpulsive behaviors to the point I couldnt leave my home some days. What helped me turn the corner was when my therapist referred me to a hypnotist. Hypnosis is a powerful tool for altering thoughts & when you change your thoughts you change your behavior. She only needs to be open & willing to help.
She is blessed to have you as a friend.
I wish you both wellness.

Your a good friend to be seeking advise. It sounds like your friend may have an eating disorder and OCD. Is there a part of her life she fells no control over? I know with my sister, the eating disorder was a way of finding some control in her life. Unfortunitly she may not see the severity of her actions and how it will affected her children. She needs to seek counseling.

I would suggest your friend call Linden oaks Hospital at Edward. ###-###-####. They offer free evals by licensed staff and have a top notch eating disorder program and several doctors who work with ocd. (Just keep in mind these disorders go hand in hand...)They can also refer her to area phschologists, dieticians, and whoever else she may need for help. But remember, if your friend denies any problems, it will be very hard to get her to seak treatment.

Primary care physicians are usually the first to see mental illness and therefore the ones who first prescribe medication. They aren't always the most educated to do it. I've seen OCD up close and I agree that it doesn't sound like that in the purest form, but rather an eating disorder. Either way, I think she needs to have an evaluation by a psychologist - not psychiatrist, they're there to prescribe medication, not give therapy. If the psychologist feels she needs medication, they will refer her to someone who can prescribe it.

The biggest thing is that until she admits she has a problem that needs treatment, it won't do any good to force her into it. She won't see through what's necessary to get well. No one can force her to see this either, and the more people push her toward it, the more she'll push away.

The limit of what her friends and family can endure as she moves toward the path of asking for help may break some of those relationships. But with enough caring people around her, she'll hopefully see sooner, rather than later, what needs to be done.