Barely coping: Son with OCD

RosieQ — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:03:36 GMT

Hi there everyone. I have a beautiful intelligent 21yr old son. He is at university and has a girlfriend. But he has crippling OCD around body image and health. He has had this week a huge obsessive turn about his non existent acne, its hijacking his life - not showing up for work, never seeing his girlfriend, online all day, obsessive compensatory behaviours. He's on the verge of losing everything.We saw a GP who reminded him his ocd is severe and suggested he take medication and he needs help asap - hes looking for a clinic. I thought it sunk in but today he told me he went to his girlfriends house and told her she can break up with him if she wants and said to me he doesnt care about anything other than his acne - work, friends, everything. Hes upset and always in tears cant leave the house. But he wont try to manage his mental health according to the doctors advice. I have collapsed now - this has been years and I cant cope anymore. I cant do anything and he doesnt care what I or any health professional says. His mind has taken over everything he cant live his normal day to day life. Now I feel like I have had a complete breakdown. Do any other parents have these mental health / OCD struggles with their kids and what do you do to support, look after yourself - and more importantly, find hope? He has been on medication in the past and its really

helped but he doesnt want it now

Re: Barely coping: Son with OCD

Croix — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:34:47 GMT

Dear RosieQ~

Welcome back to the Forum, it has been quite some time since you were here and I hope the years have been kind to you.

You are in an impossible situation and really need to take more care of yourself. It is easy to beieve one is a bottomless well of love, compassion and strenght when trying to care for someone we love. Sadly that's not the case, you need respite and assistance to get though this very stressful and worrying time in your life, and I doubt your previous expereince with anxiety helps either. So before anything else I'd strongly suggest you see your doctor and explain what is happening to you, and see what can be done.

Your son is an adult and is the only one that can decide to seek medical help, and as his thinking is distorted does not wish to do so - sadly a pretty common state of affairs. As your efforts to persuade him have had no effect can you think of anyone else who he might listen to? This could be his father if he is available, another family member, his girlfriend or someone from his work or uni, I'm guessing I'm afraid.

Is there anyone to give you support - not to try to 'fix' things but just listen and care?

I'd also suggest giving our own 24/7 councilors a ring on 1300 224 636 and see what advice they have

You are always gong to be welcome here

Croix

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Barely coping: Son with OCD

Re: Barely coping: Son with OCD