When they do open up—finally sharing their internal dialogue with loved ones—it’s not unusual to be flooded with well-intentioned but harmful comments that only fuel the sense of embarrassment they feel about the thoughts, images, and urges running through their brain. That can exacerbate the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, which is why, if you’re on the receiving end, it’s so important to be thoughtful about the way you respond. We asked experts to share the worst things to say to someone with OCD—and which words are truly helpful.