Hi,
I have been toying with coming on here and to be honest having read just a few other post comments and the responses, I feel better instantly feel less alone as I can see others as battling like me. My partner has always had some compulsions during our time together or has liked things a certain way which I essentially knew were a hangover from the OCD I think he thought, he had 'squashed down' but I kind of knew would recur as he has never sought treatment for.
My two struggles are as follows: I used to work as a CBT therapist so I understand things from a professional side, I know what we ideally need to do and I have read even more to try to help me to help and understand from a partner's side too as it is so different. However, my partner doesn't want to seek help and I totally get that he may not want to divulge things to me- especially because of what I used to do in many ways. But all I want to do is help, especially when I have the tools. I just don't know what to do. The time he is spending cleaning is increasing, the increased is affecting our lives more and more. He has also reduced what he is eating too which is an additional worry and he has lost a noticeable amount weight which as a slim man he did not need to lose. The professional, patient part of me knows it's the disease- the human, less patient part of me just wants to try to fix things and at times to be honest scream. The trigger has been COVID (not the fear of the virus) & the action of using more wipes, the encouragement to
Any comments, feedback are welcome, about how to help him engage with help. For context even aside from the issue of OCD he is a very stubborn character and dislikes any professional input. Thank you.