Episode 21: John, Stephanie, & Ryan: How to be a supportive sibling to someone with OCD
SO MANY THANKS to these wonderful individuals for coming on to share their personal experiences of what it's like to live as siblings of someone who has OCD. This episode revealed so many of the issues many of us face - as people who LIVE with OCD - and those that are desperate to support us and help us get better - and how communication or fears or shame can get in the way of being able to meet each other. I loved how each person had a different viewpoint and especially how they approached this, all while everyone wanting one thing - to help make things better and easier.
Loved ones as supporters may seem SO EASY, right? Just understand OCD and do what needs to be done! That's just not the case with this disorder. So many of us wear a mask, we hide the experience, we shield our loved ones, and we cover up the degree of suffering we have to avoid feeling like a burden or weak or unworthy. How do we communicate this? How do we convey just how hard and consuming this is, all while making sure we are still loved, accepted, and not looked at differently? These are a few of the things we touched on today.
I really hope to have more of these interactive discussions on this podcast. The raw and vulnerable talk about what it's really like from ALL angles.
Many, many thanks to Stephanie, Ryan, and John for sharing your stories and for making me an 'honorary' member of your family! Being with you during this recording helped me feel loved and accepted, so I know that you all are doing your parts as a cohesive and supportive family not only to make John feel supported, but anyone that you encounter who may struggle with mental health issues to help them feel validated, normalized, and accepted - exactly as they are.
If you are in need of a community of people who can help you feel more accepted, less alone, and more connected to people who understand, please check out my online community for weekly support, monthly classes and events at https://the-ocd-support-community.co.mn
If this podcast inspires, supports, and gives you hope and you'd like to support us monthly or sponsor us, please visit our patreon page and become a member. Your contribution will help us continue the podcast and help us provide even more resources for our community! https://www.patreon.com/intrusivethoughtsunmasked
