Someone very close to me has been suffering from OCD for a while. It is contamination OCD where they are constantly trying to avoid contaminating themselves and others - it’s affecting most areas of their life. Their hand washing routines are very specific and it affects how much they go out because they don’t think they will be able to do it ‘properly’ if they are out and about. They won’t eat around others and worry they have contaminated others by talking or laughing. They see a therapist.
I’m looking for best way to support them, and some success stories if possible. Everything you read says not to reinforce their routines by helping them or validating them. It also says not to try and use reason or logic to talk them out of things because, if that worked, they would not be in this situation. I’m at a bit of a loss but would appreciate some suggestions!