struggling to be friends with my friends

I’ve been struggling with OCD (that I was able to identify/diagnose) since I was 13 and it’s been hard. Over the years I’ve tried to dissolve or minimize my symptoms of it due to fear of the ppl I talk to not fundamentally understanding it. Which in itself isn’t the problem but I’ve done so much to where it is. I barely talk about any of my issues especially the pressing ones that now if I try to bring my my severe OCD or the treacherous faculty of it, I get stumped. Cause I know from the past if I have failed to express my concerns, ik their first question will be “well what do you mean” continued by “it can’t be that bad” so one and so forth. Even if they don’t say as such, I just know it’s the thought. I guess I’m just trying to ask, OVERALL, how do I bring up my debilitating OCD to my friends who have since been thinking they know all about me????

Username: Fightingocd

Date posted: 100d ago

I learnt with 4 years of having ocd now that no one that lives it can fully understand, so I just stopped telling my close friends what was going on in my head. First because for me it was really often asking for reassurance and also because they don’t understand. I send you a lot of strength though 🫶🏼

Username: Erin P

Date posted: 100d ago

People close to me know I have OCD which consumes hours of my life everyday. In some situations I just tell people I’m dealing with severe anxiety. You don’t have to provide details. You can just say you are struggling with anxiety and want support. But it’s up to you whether you tell people, who you tell and what detains you provide. Start with the most compassionate, supportive friend first.

Username: mckp23

Date posted: 100d ago

thank you both genuinely ik anxiety is more wildly not just accepted but understood to the point of recognizing the clarity of it. I hear evert once in a while random ppl talk to me about OCD and every time I bite my tongue cause it feels like too much to divulge ya know?