Feeling unsupported about my OCD diagnosis due to misconceptions from my stepdad.

OCD doubt

My sister told me today that my stepdad doesn't think I have OCD, or doubts that I do, since indont display any of the obvious, cliche OCD behaviors that he as seen or is aware of. (Such as obsessove over cleanliness, switching door locks, etc like what they show in movies). I wasn't aware he thought this, and had (about a year ago) told him and my mom about it all, when I was in therapy and getting diagnosed. I felt like they had been supportive and it was hard for me to tell them. Plus I already doubt it/myself enough. So I feel upset and angry and dejected realizing he felt this way and I didn't know it. And now I can feel it making me spiral into wondering "well, maybe he's right and I don't have it and I'm insane" etc. It's just tiring. 😔

Username: zzyyxxzzyyxx

Date posted: 2y ago

People who haven't experienced OCD themselves still think that it is all about symmetry, order, cleanliness, controling locks etc. People tend to think ocd is an illness with visible compulsions. But there are common but less known subtypes of OCD like pure o, relationship ocd etc without any visible or physical compulsions. So as long as you know you have OCD and as long as you have been diagnosed with OCD by a professional you don't have to convince others. Just focus on therapy and feeling better.

Username: Jamie LJamie L

Date posted: 2y ago

Thank you ❤❤

Username: zzyyxxzzyyxx

Date posted: 2y ago

Ever since i was diagnosed with OCD, i've heard these sentences from people multiple times some from my family members; " these thoughts are ridiculous how can you possibly be afraid of such stupid nonsense?" "You are doing this to yourself, if you wanted to get better you would try harder" "it is in your power to feel better, stop thinking this nonsense and focus on more serious things" "You are taking your medicine how can you not get better?" "What will therapy do it is useless it's all in your head so you are the one to beat it" "You'rebwasting money on therapy" "why don't other people think of such nonsense and only you think about it, just get over them!".... At first i was feeling deflated, powerless but then i realized they don't know what i am dealing with. So they cannot understand something they never experienced before. But i was strong and brave and strong because i knew what my problem is and i was working so hard to fix it. I was dealing with these thoughts day and night without them even noticing while moving on with my daily activities. I'm trying to sat that it is easy for people to talk because they cannot understand what we are going through. There will always be others to talk but what matters is your happiness so it is not important what people think. Just focus on getting better and overcoming your OCD. You know you have a problem and you are doing everything you can to overcome it. This means you are on the right track. Just keep trying. If people cannot understand you or support you so be it. Then you are better by yourself.

Username: Jamie LJamie L

Date posted: 2y ago

🤗

Username: Jamie LJamie L

Date posted: 2y ago

I'm sorry they say those things to you. You're right, you gotta just keep moving forward for yourself. I find myself wanting to convince him but then that feels like a whole other OCD thing. Not sure what to do but it's helpful that you all understand!!

Username: Lukej91Lukej91

Date posted: 2y ago

What zyz said Those who haven't gone through it have no idea what it's like , I had the same thing happened to me because I was doing mental compulsions and no one had any idea what was going on in my head

Username: Jamie LJamie L

Date posted: 2y ago

Exactly, so many of mine are in my head and/or when alone or i hide them.

Username: BraveBrave

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

At the end of the day our health is more important than what anyone thinks. I do my therapy, take care of myself and do what is best for me. Others will always have opinions and comments but we have the ability to take control of our wellbeing. I can’t blame others it’s what the media portrays about OCD and it’s hard to brake that belief they already have.

Username: Jamie LJamie L

Date posted: 2y ago

This is a good point. Thank you!

Username: mlem

Date posted: 4y ago

Hey I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now. Before I get to the main point I'm gonna give some background info: I'm going into my third year of University and it took years of constant denial to get treatment . I originally came in for my skin picking but after multiple appointments I was told I have OCD. I never thought I perfectly fit into having it because I was never organized nor am I a "germaphobe". I later learned everything made sens From being afraid to interact with little children (afraid I would assault them just from staring too long), all the way to staying up all night convinced someone would kill me if I didn't hide all the knives in the house. It took me just one month ago to sleep in my bed alone (after I stopped my rituals with my stuffed animals as a kid I was convinced they will harm me when I least expect it, and sleep beside my mother). It even explained why I had somatic rituals when I was a child (constantly balancing the right and left side of my body with repetitive touching until it felt right). Finally, after switching from cipralex (did not help) to Zoloft (currently on 150mg) I feel as thought my life is coming back. The reason I'm feeling distressed is that my main psychiatrist referred me to a CBT waitlist in a hospital. Well I just had a virtual meeting with him today... And he basically asked if I have cleaning rituals. I said no, I told him about my previous compulsions the first time I talked to him and told him the medication has SIGNIFICANTLY reduced my anxiety and compulsions that I only do two rituals a day (~3 hours). At the end of the appointment he told me that I DON'T HAVE OCD or anxiety and suggested I go off my meds. Now I'm doubting if I have OCD to begin with, even though I fully know I do as my main psychiatrist has been so caring and making sure I recover. It really sucks because I feel pretty invalidated?? Am I overreacting or in the wrong? I don't know how to feel right now. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you

Username: rachhh

Date posted: 2y ago

Just got diagnosed with OCD today. Now I’m doubting/wondering if I actually have it. Or maybe over embellished and am making all of it up for attention. Or maybe I’m not REALLY having intrusive thoughts, or not having them enough. Because I feel like maybe they dwindled down? Idk. What a wonderful loop this is 😂 I thought the diagnosis would help lol!

Username: Willow.Treez19

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 25w ago

Unsure

So I’ve recently discovered my ocd, my brother had been diagnosed when he was younger and struggles to a lot more noticeable degree. My parents have tried to their knowledge to help him with his obsessions before he had started therapy. I’ve always been there for my brother when he’s really dwelling on a trigger. Over time I had learned more and more about ocd and started to discover things about myself I never understood. I have struggled with mental health since I can remember and always brushed it off as chronic paranoia. But I started notice a lot of similarities between mine and my brothers triggers and after researching, realized I too suffer ocd obsessions and compulsions. My huge concern right now is even though my triggers and obsessions are different than his, I feel doubt about whether it not I am valid to speak on it. I feel guilty because I have watched him suffer false memory ocd and I don’t experience that so to me it seems ultimately worse. I had opened up to him recently about things I’ve been struggling with since I was little and he confirmed all of it as ocd thoughts and obsessions. I feel like suddenly all these unanswered questions about what’s wrong with me suddenly makes sense, but I’m so behind in discovering this that I’m afraid of being honest about it, and it being perceived by others as me trying to combat with my brothers experiences. I can talk to a therapist and it’ll feel like I’m being seen, but in my personal life, even with my boyfriend I have the chronic fear that people think I’m lying

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Feeling unsupported about my OCD diagnosis due to misconceptions from my stepdad.

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