One of the greatest joys you may experience is being able to help others over the rough spots from which you've just extracted yourself (or from which you are in the process of successfully extracting yourself). Look around. Perhaps you hear a person with OCD being discussed by her friend; perhaps one of your friends shows anxiety about social situations or driving. You can gently point the way toward recovery. Few will be in a better position to do so than you: You have knowledge about the condition, additional resources to suggest, and the compassion of one who has been through the same thing. With any luck, your struggle has made you a better person than you might have been otherwise. Use that experience to offer help and support to others. (We do urge you not to become obnoxious, however.)

Speaking Up

Although, as we've demonstrated, we think that the ability to laugh at ourselves is essential (and we've also demonstrated that we don't always feel bound by the tenets of political correctness), there is also a lot of joking about OCD that shows a clear lack of understanding. If you hear ignorant remarks and feel comfortable doing so, you can politely educate friends and acquaintances about what OCD really is — and isn't — and what it is like to live with the disorder.

Getting Strength in Order to Give It

When it comes to helping other people who have OCD or would like to learn about it, you will probably be able to do a more effective job if you, yourself, have the support you need. Life can be difficult. Life with OCD can be very difficult. Everyone needs help sometimes. There's nothing wrong with seeking it out.