I’ve had ocd for a while, but I really don’t know if I should tell my friends. I’m worried they’ll hate me or act different or ignore me. They are the nicest most understanding people I’ve ever known so why do I feel this way? I end up feeling horrible because I don’t totally trust them. OCD has been like a never ending circle and I just don’t want it to affect yet another part of my life.

There are no "shoulds" or rules to follow when it comes to sharing your OCD with others. It's a very personal decision that only you (not OCD) can make. Try separating your wise mind from the OCD voice. Is your wise mind saying that you genuinely want to tell your friends? If so, explore that option. For years, I kept my OCD a secret from my friends & anyone who wasn't family. I only told my boyfriend but never revealed it to even my closest friends. It wasn't until years later that I opened up on social media about it because I want to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. It was gradual for me. I started by opening up with saying I had an anxiety disorder but not specifying that it was OCD until about a year later. I'm happy that I did it on my terms, and I have no regrets about sharing opening up. Bottom line: If *you* (not influenced by OCD or others) want to share this with your friends, then do it. If not, don't worry or feel any pressure to do so :)

When I told my two closest friends they both responded with “I know, you’ve had OCD for years, did you really think I had no idea” we laughed over it and when I’m having a tough time I talk to one of them a lot (she suffers with anxiety) and it helps so much, she never judges she just listens and she’s amazing ?

I wouldn’t tell your friends unless they have it as well. Most people don’t know I have mental illnesses. Why? It’s just none of their business.

I agree with applejaks - if you want to tell them, that is 100% your call. I’m not sure if this helps, but I am in my mid-twenties and just opened up to my best friend about my OCD. She is kind, caring, and compassionate and didn’t judge me at all. She asked how she can help and support me during recovery. For so long I worked it up in my head that people were going to think I was (1) weird (2) insane [for use of mental illness insanity]; and (3) a loser. That hasn’t been and still isn’t the case. People understand and are fighting their own demons as well ?