My girlfriend (who has OCD/BDD) is suicidal

I dont know what I can do and I am very scared...

I have been going out with her for a couple of months and from the second date she told me she has OCD/BDD, and every week she has attacks and only wants to be in bed by herself for hours or days. But what worries me most is that before we met she had tried to kill herself 5 times (the first she wanted to jump but couldnt do it, the second she cut her wrists but luckily her mother got there in time, and the other three times she tried to overdose and ended up in hospital each time). She has been like this for 4 years and suffers terribly,
one time when she overdosed and the medics came she didnt let them put tubes down her neck because she "wanted to end it" and they had to get the police (or lawyer?) to give permision of forcing the stomach pump.

In the two months ive known her she has had bad spells but nothing like this and she has told me that these months have been the best in a long time.
This week she has taken time off work and her mother is always out so she is by herself at home and Im at work. But yesturday she has just started to have a bad spell and contated her ex boyfriend to get her some pills (recreational) but luckily he said no (he has saved her life on 2 of those OD times). Today she is the same and I dont know what to do.

She has tried all possible medication but none seems to work, but this friday she is seeing another doctor to see if he can help.

I have read on the internet that 30% of BDD cases end in suicide and that those who have attempted in the past are 23 times more likely to try again and suceeding.
This scares me so much and I feel so helpless .
What can I possibly do and is there hope in curing her?

Note: I am living in spain and I dont think the doctors here are as knowledgable about OCD/BDD and its cures as the US and UK (where im from)

Do you like her?
What ages are ye?


The girl is reaching out for help at least. I mean, clearly other people in her life know the condition she is in.


When you talk to her do ye have 'normal' conversations or do ye just talk about the problems? If ye just talk about the problems that is unhealthy - You might feel that you are helping her but you aren't in this way. There should be time to discuss the problems but you need to remind her that life can be fun too.


I have found that hearing / seeing somebody laugh is a great way to get a depressed person to smile. So if you are generally a happy person you need to show your happiness around her.


What does she do in her life - school/college?

Thanks for replying Chucky,
I really like/love her, she is 30 (im 25). We only talk about her problem on occasions, but most of the time she seems happy when im out with her.
She works as a nurse at various hospitals but at this present time she is waiting for a new assignment. (To work in another medical center).

The only problem is that I am a very negative person and I am very sure that I have bipolar disorder (but have never went to a doctor for diagnosis) since I flip flop from very happy, enthusiastic, rapid thoughts... to depression, anger, risky behaviour and many contemplations of suicide myself (but not as bad as her case). But whenever im with her I feel much better and very optimistic/positive and I always make her smile even when she feels down.

This friday I went with her to a doctor and he has prescribed 2 new drugs and therapy sessions for her. I hope this helps her because I love her so much and want to lead a normal life with her.

Hey, I'm not sure if you are already doing this but it would be best not to discuss your own depression with her. It would make her feel even more hopeless with the world. You should try to find another outlet for that right now. Any Internet forum, even this one, should do you for starters. It is therapeutic in a small way to just air all frustrations using a keyboard.


Anyway, does it appear to you that she actually wants to go to the therapy sessions? If she sees them as negative then they just won't work out. Also, I know that nurses can have busy shifts - Could stress also be involved with this? Does she evn like the role of a nurse?