Compulsions are exhausting and can be very time-consuming. They may become so severe that you hardly have time for anything else in life, making it difficult or impossible to get on with daily activities. People with OCD are also often ashamed of their thoughts or behavior. They might try to hide their behavior because they're worried that other people will think they're weird. It can be difficult to hide, though.
Many people are reluctant to seek help or tell others about their problem. Others might be scared of how being labeled "mentally ill" could affect their work and their families. But many people who have completed treatment say that they wish they had sought help earlier.
OCD can be a challenge for families and possibly lead to conflict. Family members may feel they also need to go along with the compulsive behavior, for instance by arranging things in a certain order, so they don't upset the person with OCD. Or they might feel like they constantly have to make sure that they're not doing anything to reinforce the person’s fears.
Parents in particular often also feel bad because they think they should have noticed their child's problem sooner.
But it often takes a long time to realize that someone has a problem, not least because they try to hide their obsessive-compulsive behavior as long as possible. Many of them might not think that they have OCD themselves, or they may refuse to accept help.
But family members are important when it comes to helping people with OCD because they may understand the person’s condition better than other people do. When family members are involved in therapy, they can help the person face their fears and manage their behavior. This can be especially helpful after the treatment is completed, to help make sure it has a lasting effect.