For other loved ones

Course for friends and other loved ones

Support that fits your relationship, involvement and capacity.

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In development · For friends and other loved ones

Finding your way to support someone close to you

An online course for friends, grandparents, extended family and others close to someone with OCD. Gain a thorough grounding in how OCD works and what changing its patterns involves, so you can understand the person’s efforts and discuss how to help within the relationship you share.

Course for friends and other loved ones

Understand the situations you share

You may only see a small part of the person’s everyday life. The course develops your understanding of the OCD you encounter during visits or through calls and messages: how doubt and discomfort can drive checking, mental analysis or a search for reassurance. You learn why these responses can feel urgent and necessary even when the fear or rule seems illogical to you.

Understanding the person’s work with OCD is equally central. The course explains what methods such as exposure aim to change and why responding differently can take effort while doubt or discomfort is still present. This helps you discuss what the person is trying to do and what support would be useful, whether you meet often or keep in touch from a distance.

Offer practical help and stay connected

You will explore how to:

  • Use that understanding to discuss the changes the person is working towards and how you can help, including their course work where relevant.
  • Agree on practical help with visits or everyday tasks, offering more support when needed and adapting it as the person’s needs and abilities change.
  • Respond with care when messages or calls become focused on the same doubt, and agree together how to handle repeated reassurance seeking.
  • Discuss relevant agreements with the person and others who support them, respecting the person’s choices about what information to share.
  • Talk about your own needs and availability, and plan time together around your shared interests.

Find a role that fits the relationship

A friend’s invitation, a grandparent’s practical help and the support of extended family have different places in someone’s life. The course gives attention to these differences and to the time, energy and responsibility you can realistically offer.

Your own worry, frustration and need for support matter too. The material keeps companionship and shared interests in view, so the relationship has room for more than questions, cancellations and urgent requests. Clearer agreements should help you remain connected in ways you can sustain.