Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)I've made this for her, and I only hope that I can convince her to use it. She's was diagnosed with OCD when she was around 11 and since then she's struggled.. she's convinced she can cope with it herself but I know she's not coping. She lets me in on it occassionally but she won't tell anyone else.. she's told me her OCD means she thinks about self-harming and suicide. I love her and I want her to seek out help. Does anyone have any advice? Would talking to someone else with OCD help her?
Hello Chestnut, this is a bit of a tricky situation. Before I went to the doctors and joined this forum I didn't want to talk to anyone about it and from my personal experience I think I wouldn't have changed my mind even if my girlfriend tried to convince me. Whether it helps or not to talk to somebody with OCD is questionable. For some it might help, for others it might cause the opposite. I think you should talk to your girlfriend and ask her what she wants, I don't think you can help her much if you're going against what she wants. Maybe you should also talk this through with her doctor. It must be very hard for you but she might need you more than ever now, even if she doesn't realize it.
Hope things work out for you, feel free to ask here if you need any help or have questions. 
Hi Chestnut,
Welcome to the forum.
Ideally she needs to speak to her GP to get a referral for treatment especially as her OCD means that she thinks about self harming and suicide. It can be frightening asking for help. But it's something that she has to want to do and trying to talk someone who is close to you into seeking treatment can be difficult. Having said that it is sometimes easier for people with OCD to talk to others with OCD and so build up their confidence before approaching the professionals. The forum is ideal for that as you can remain as anonymous as you want.
I personally have found the forum a great help, it made me appreciate that I wasn't the only one going through the obsessions and compulsions. Initially I was reluctant to tell others about my OCD as I thought that I was the only one experiencing what I did, but on the forum I found there were others with the same obsessions and compulsions as me. I then didn't feel so embarrassed as I realised that I wasn't alone in what I did.
I have probably learnt more from the forum than from the professionals, it's meant that when I see the professionals I now have a greater insight into my OCD.
We do try to be here to support and help each other, we also have a laugh.
It would be good for her to be able to speak to others with OCD, she doesn't have to be alone.
Best wishes
Trudy
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