- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 1y ago
I don’t know how to tell my friends about my ocd..
I don’t know how to tell my friends about my ocd mental illness I feel like they are going to think I’m a creep and not want to be around me anymore
I don’t know how to tell my friends about my ocd mental illness I feel like they are going to think I’m a creep and not want to be around me anymore
You don't have to tell them everything. If they just realise you're struggling, that might be enough for them to offer support.
Hi there I’m so sorry your going through this. Just a little advice that Iv learned is that you don’t owe an explanation to anyone. If you want to talk about it because you wanna let people in to some of the things your going through that great too but you also don’t have to share every detail. I kept my personal struggles to myself, my therapist and one person I really trust. It was the best decision I could’ve made for myself. Your situation could be different of course but you absolutely have the right to share what you want and not feel guilty. Best wishes to you:)
Awe I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s possible your OCD has created a new theme for you around telling your fiends. OCD can be such a bully. :( I hope that whatever you decide to do goes well for you. Best of luck 🙌🏼
Look, if your friends are not empathetic enough to where they can understand this is something you did NOT choose to have, then f*ck them. It takes a certain amount of compassion towards others to understand that some people struggle more than others. There are no biographies without wounds, and if you friends think a disorder is the same to being a creep then maybe you need new friends.
@Lady Sombra I know exactly what you mean.....that being said you can't trust everyone to understand so you have to be ready to accept rejection or loss of what you consider friendship if they don't choose to be a true friend. I am old now so I've lived through many people hurting me over ocd and some being very kind and loving. You never know which way it will turn out.
Maybe start them off "small" - say it's like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, or Monica from Friends. When they have got used to the idea (or maybe they are poking fun at you) say "Yeah, but it's worse than that, those are comedy TV shows, go and look it up."
I think acceptance of having OCD yourself and learning to love yourself through it leads to more vulnerability about being open to share your struggles. That takes time and work in my case. But if you come to that place, then it won’t matter what they think of you, because it’s just their opinion. Whether or not we like to admit it, everyone is judging everything all the time, even without realizing it. I suspect if these people love you, they will feel compassion and empathy for the person they love living with a mental illness. Maybe start by sharing with those closest to you, then move on. I kind of started that way, now I just share it with coworkers and stuff (not all the details, just that I have OCD). That took time though, and work in therapy!
My fear is always that people will think I’m crazy
How did you tell your partner about your ocd? I’ve never been in a relationship but I am scared to death just thinking about having to tell a future boyfriend about my ocd. I feel weird and alone and like no one will ever want to be with me. Especially if they find out about my mental illness. I’m 23 now and feel like I will be alone forever.
Has anyone else had trouble telling people about their OCD? I would like to help break the stigma about mental health and be a part of the change. But it is such an exhausting thing to even think about. Not only would it be difficult to tell people (even people I trust), but it would be even more difficult to have to explain to people what OCD really is (not just the stereotypes they have seen on TV). On top of that I keep thinking how do I even begin to explain the subtypes that I have experienced? I suppose I don't have to, but it helps to give some real depth for them to sink their teeth into; to really understand the difference between OCPD and OCD. I keep thinking if I can get through ERP (which I have recently done), then I can certainly share my disorder with others (well I cant be 100% certain...see what I did there?). I know I don't have to tell others about my OCD and I respect people who want to keep it private. I have for years. I just think that I would like to be confident, own it, and help others who are still figuring out about their own mental health struggles. I know many of my family and friends will be surprised to hear that I have OCD. So if you have any suggestions or anecdotes you would be willing to share that would be great. Thanks!
The one thing I don’t know how to do is if I date, how would I let my significant other know about my POCD? I wouldn’t want to keep secrets but I don’t feel like it would be the easiest conversation. Does anyone have advice for how they did so with their significant others?
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond