I know...this sounds like a very tenuous situation. You want to help your brother but don't know how.
Whether or not your brother has OCD is sort of a side issue in this. The bigger issue is your relationship with him. Whatever he has or doesn't have...you want to maintain a relationship with him right?
When confronted with our "stuff" it may bring out the defenses in anyone. Who wants to hear that someone close to us thinks there is something "wrong" with us.
I think you are going to have to approach this in a way that doesn't make your brother quite so defensive...by stressing how much you care about him and how you are there for him no matter what.
Your brother probably doesn't want to be doing all the rituals he does...but may feel he has to. If in fact, he has OCD, it is very difficult thing to deal with.
I am going to give you the link to our anxiety site because OCD is discussed there.
Ultimately this is your brother's choice if he wants help for this or not. Whatever his choice...you will always be his brother.
Let us know what happens. I wish you the best of luck.
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Hi Richard
I know...this sounds like a very tenuous situation. You want to help your brother but don't know how.
Whether or not your brother has OCD is sort of a side issue in this. The bigger issue is your relationship with him. Whatever he has or doesn't have...you want to maintain a relationship with him right?
When confronted with our "stuff" it may bring out the defenses in anyone. Who wants to hear that someone close to us thinks there is something "wrong" with us.
I think you are going to have to approach this in a way that doesn't make your brother quite so defensive...by stressing how much you care about him and how you are there for him no matter what.
Your brother probably doesn't want to be doing all the rituals he does...but may feel he has to. If in fact, he has OCD, it is very difficult thing to deal with.
I am going to give you the link to our anxiety site because OCD is discussed there.
Ultimately this is your brother's choice if he wants help for this or not. Whatever his choice...you will always be his brother.
Let us know what happens. I wish you the best of luck.