I just finally felt like I was getting a handle on my OCD and my life, growing, being happy, being in the present… I hadn’t spiraled too badly in almost two months… and all of a sudden, a lot of really stressful things coincided and it’s all back. I struggle with ROCD the most of all my themes and someone came back into my life during a very stressful time, and now I’m all messed up again. I’m so tired of being alone (I’ve been single for 2 years) and I’m tired of just ~feeling~ alone. I don’t feel like I can even talk to anyone about it. I also know my OCD wants to do anything to keep me from being alone, yet I’ve conquered that over the last two years a lot. I just am done with it. I knew OCD could and would come back, and it was just a lull, but I am so overwhelmed and distraught that it’s back. I’m afraid of tomorrow. Afraid of the silence again. Afraid of it and myself. I hate it. Maybe I avoid relationships forever. I absolutely hate this and am so scared.

I just got out of a 4 year relationship that ended around the beginning of February. In the beginning of the 4 year relationship I had intrusive thoughts about the way I was behaving around my partner, this went on for a few months not knowing what it was or that it was ROCD. I remember it was bad and did not want to deal with what I was feeling. I defeated it and was ok for the first 3 years after that. But it just made me feel like I wasn’t being my true, authentic , funny self I wanted to be for my partner. It was horrible. Now I’m in a new relationship that has been awesome as far as the beginning goes but now I’m back to that intrusive thought and ROCD. Irs to the point where I feel like I can’t be myself and I’m not happy or excited about anything anymore I’m constantly stressed out thinking about it.

Since my ocd started when I was 15 and I did get into a long term relationship during it, my ocd has me obsessing over it. simply bc ofc when you have soocd sometimes (depends on the person) your attraction to ppl isn’t that strong or basically non existent. We ended up becoming friends and developing a relationship and I do remember thinking he was cute and had a little crush for a while I felt like a normal teenager again. We had small hangouts and I felt free because I actually felt normal and I wasn’t questioning anything when we would be together. Eventually we started dating but ofc OCD, anxiety, and depression ruled my life during that time so I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the relationship. But there definitely were times where I did (he also was a horrible boyfriend in the end). But I keep over analyzing and thinking maybe I was forcing myself in that relationship. Bc of SOOCD I didn’t enjoy being intimate because I felt numb and was always constantly checking feelings, emotions, arousal, attraction etc. I even had ROCD moment because I was finding a certain guy attractive and I had a small crush on him and I was worried I was losing feelings for my ex (again he was an rlly bad boyfriend). But i also know that I did like him but i keep on thinking “what if i didn’t” “what if the reason you couldn’t full enjoy the relationship was bc you are just in denial” “you’ve been in denial all your life” “there’s too much proof.” When we broke up i was literally devastated I WAS BALLING FOR HOURS. Now that i’m in a relationship with someone who made me feel genuine feelings and attraction after a LONG ASS TIME of pure numbness my mind can’t stop questioning. I still deal with numbness and basically no libido or attraction and this flare up is making it worse. I was doing so good all the worries were gone (again regardless of the numbness, barely any attraction, and no libido) I slowly felt myself coming back. It felt so sweet with my man even when the flare up was barely starting, when i was with him I went back to feeling calm (even when i was constantly checking if i was triggered). When the anxiety and intrusive thoughts are at bay (like a couple days ago) and I see him in person I feel slightly normal again. I feel the sweet feelings I felt for him in the beginning (getting harder now bc of compulsions). But when i’m home i go back to over analyzing EVERYTHING which makes me feel more numb. I just hate this I HATE THIS. I just want to sleep all day so I don’t have to deal with this. I want my brain to just stfu. I want to enjoy my life for once. i’ve been suffering from this since i was 15/16 now im in my 20s how much more of this shit do i have to take.

It’s been pretty hard lately with my SOOCD and ROCD. While some may struggle with other manifestations, I on the other hand have to deal with the chronic anxiety that OCD brings. The thoughts feel like they’re in the back of my mind saying things about me and my relationship. They’re always there whispering and it’s gotten quite frustrating cause I can’t really enjoy the things I want to do. There are good times but damn is it annoying having to deal with the nausea the anxiety causes, the groinals and the false attraction that SOOCD brings. I’m thankful for my girlfriend that she tries to understand me and she really is my lifesaver. I know that my SOOCD and ROCD targets my love for her that’s why it gets stronger whenever I spend time with her. Fuck you OCD cause you ain’t ruining my love tor her. I try to be strong but damn is it hard. I’m finding myself back at square one where all symptoms are back and bad again. I’ve been doing compulsions, some occasional searching but more on constant rumination, repeating the same phrases and yeah admittedly compulsively looking here in this app to see if I relate to anyone. It sucks and I hate this. I hope you guys have tips on how to manage SOOCD and ROCD while in a relationship. I’ve had these themes for almost 2 years.