Wow, so many of these stories sound so much like my life and it's my teenage daughter with the disorder. I feel just like all of you. Exhausted. Past the end of my rope but yet so so sad for her and not willing to give up. How would I anyway? Honestly, I'm shocked by all of you for staying in your relationships for so long and can't imagine having the wherewithal to stay with an OCD spouse if I had a choice to leave. But this is my kid. My husband, her father, passed away so it's just the two of us. I've had very severe medical problems the last few years which triggered her OCD but unfortunately has only served to make me much worse, of course the opposite of what she wants, and only makes her worse. A viscous cycle. Sometimes I start to lose all my faith and wonder how so many bad things can happen to us, especially such a sweet beautiful soul like my daughter's. Although I hate all of you are going through this, it does help to know we are not alone. 

We have a therapist who comes to our place once a week since Medicaid doesn't cover decent inpatient care, and because she's deveststed by the thought of hospitalization anyway. The therapist helps a little but it seems like there are always reasons making her OCD worse at a speed faster than the therapist is able to help. I'm really scared for both of us. I can't work yet and I feel like as long as I have the constant stress of her OCD and following all of her constant rules in an effort to keep the so called peace and ward off her panicked state, I may never get back to work again. How can I get better in this environment? Regardless, I have no choice. I love her more than anything in the world and would die for her to live a normal OCD free life. Why do these awful things happen to such wonderful people? Outside of the insanely controlling nature of OCD, this kid is seriously the best person I've ever known could even exist. She's a strict vegan, sensing the pain and suffering of animals so intensely she can't imagine contributing. She has such a pure heart and yet has no friends, can't leave her room and hasn't for almost 2 years. Her hands are a permanent chapped red color and her face is so pale. Her muscles have waisted so she barely has the strength to shower. It's so devastating to see.  Losing her father to mental illness was the hardest thing in the world to go through and now I'm terrified I'm going to lose her as well.