I struggle with people not understanding what I’m going through. OCD is so mainstream it’s like everyone “has” it. My parents are always like everyone has ocd ur fine. And my boyfriend does not understand how much it affects my mental health everyday and his exhausting it is. How do you get over the struggle of people not understanding this is a crippling disease.
I find that when someone you see in your immediate support system does not understand what you are going through it becomes oh so very challenging. I’m seeking care for the proper diagnosis for myself but see, and deal with so much related to OCD. I find it that whether or not they understand I talk about it. Mental health should be talked about. I feel like when there are statements that everyone has “it” [OCD], people just throw the acronym around and try to make it about everyday things that they can move along from. The issue is that we cannot, and I couldn’t stress that enough with my family. Specifically my partner, I’ve been and sometimes do have a really hard time that just seems overpowering to me. Up until yesterday I don’t think that they really understood how unsupported I’ve felt. I haven’t been to the support groups on this app yet, but they do have them from what I hear. Also everyone is not you, and while a lot more people have been outspoken about mental health they shouldn’t undermine you and categorize you in terms of everyone. You should seek care, and see if you can confide in anyone you feel safe to talk to about what you are experiencing.
When I tell people I have anxiety they seem to get that more than OCD in terms of it equating to suffering. If you want them to understand you could tell them that for you OCD is like ….. An analogy I like is “It feels like when you are running late and can’t find you keys are are freaked out and blaming yourself but that feeling can last hours.”
Last night I was staying at my boyfriend’s house and couldn’t sleep. I felt like i desperately needed to go back to my parents and clean and organize my room. This has happened a few times before when I was staying at his place. Since then he’s been very upset with me. Does anyone else’s partner do this? Any advice? It’s been hard. He’s made me feel so shameful for having OCD. As if it’s not tough enough /:
Has anyone experienced their reputation affected or misunderstood because of a societally taboo OCD theme? Others catching wind of your obsessions and misinterpreting it, assuming the worst? I’m intentionally keeping it vague because I don’t want my specific situation to get reassured, but it’s been a real tough pill to swallow knowing that people close to me (and anyone else they might talk to) think of me differently. I’m unwilling to share about my OCD because I feel pretty confident it will be taken as an excuse or denial, and feels compulsive and reassurance seeking. Let me know if anyone here has experienced anything like it, how they handled it, exposures you did.
OCD isn’t just about compulsions—it’s a mental battle that can be completely exhausting. The anxiety, doubt, and pressure to "get it right" can feel unbearable, especially when others don’t understand what’s happening beneath the surface. What’s the hardest part about living with OCD that others don’t see?
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
