I’m trying my best to manage a toddler and a wife with OCD. I’ve known my wife for around 3 years and initially noticed something was not quite right, however only recently had a psychiatrist confirm OCD. Naturally i’m concerned it may be OCD and another undiagnosed disorder. Currently she’s taking Sertraline, she was prescribed medication I believe for explosive anger but stopped taking that due to side effects. Furthermore in the past 18 months she had some therapy (currently stopped.)
It seems that for most of her life she has lived with this condition. The key stresses are:
1. Anger. If you question behaviour she can quickly get very angry…and take a day to calm down. With a child I feel it’s not acceptable but she is totally oblivious to anyone when angry.
2. I’ve noted shes takes around 2- 6 hours to get ready, make up and clothes. Her hair is a major pre occupation. As you can imagine taking a child out of a walk during the day is almost impossible for her.
3. Packing a bag, is unbearable for her. I’ve watched her take hours to pack and re-pack. It’s heart breaking to watch. Even organising objects in a cupboard are avoided….and suitcases are left unopened for months. She reluctant to throw away some packing, and keeps empty boxes. (She’s not a crazy hoarder but to me so many empty boxes seem irrational)
4. She has a breakfast routine which takes around 1.5 Hours. The tea/ cups/ etc seem like a ritual. She very rarely will clean up after, so often I’m tidying up after her. Having said that she will follow some irrational cleaning activities.
With the time taken for the above she is unable to work.
She’s of Italian origin and as a result we spend a few months out there, so I paid for private Italian psychiatric support and this initially made a difference, as the previous talking therapy was doing little to help particularly with the anger. The issue I have is getting feedback from the medical professionals in italy, and the fact when in the UK we are not able to visit the psychiatrist (no option of video call unfortunately.)
We live in South West London, and I wonder if there is any advice you might have as going via the NHS/ Private Self Pay.
Thanks!