how do you guys explain ocd to your parents or to someone your close to? i recently started therapy and my parents are supportive, but they just don’t understand what ocd is. i try telling them what it is- but they don’t seem to get it. is this just something that people don’t understand unless they experience it themselves?
Ask your therapist for a friends and family explanation sheet of ocd. When I started nocd this got sent to me and I emailed it on to my closest family to read. It really helped!
@tashk That’s a great idea! I will ask!
For me, when I first told my mom that these thoughts were happening, I was young and had zero idea that even without ocd most people experience these thoughts. However, before I told her, I was terrified because I thought she was going to look at me differently and I was becoming a bad person when I didn’t even want to think of these thoughts. Fast forward to today, she stills understands that I’m having these thoughts, but just can’t understand why I continue to think of them although I don’t want to act on them. She believes I should be able to go on with my day and while these thoughts may be an annoyance, they shouldn’t disrupt my whole day. Because of this, we tend to clash due to her not being able to fully understand what I’m going through because she hasn’t experienced it herself. With that said, I with some persistence, they may be able to understand it to some extent, but they won’t fully be able to grasp what exactly you’re going through because they have not experienced it. This is just my take, but I wish you so much luck 🫶🏻
@pickedpeppers thank you for the response! i’m glad your mom was able to understand some of it- but i’m sure with time she’ll start to understand more!
i usually try to give specific examples of what i experience because it varies so drastically from person to person i find that to be the easiest way
I say it’s like a constant loop of your biggest fears and weird thoughts running through your head and you can’t stop it.
I tell my friends and family straight up when it comes up . I dont hide it and I dont care if it makes them feel uncomfortable be cause that makes 2 of us. It's nothing to be embarressed or ashamed of its uncomfortable for us and while we work to get better being open is good. Done nothing wrong
This is just my opinion, but idk if anyone can really understand anything without going through it. Sure, maybe from an academic standpoint. But you’re not going to truly understand being an addict or being bipolar, etc. without actually experiencing it yourself. You can probably empathize with them by reading what it’s like, but not truly understand. The closest thing I could see if my therapist who is constantly around people with OCD all day long but I don’t think has it. He’s way closer than most at understanding by being around people that have it, but truly knowing what it’s like to live with it is different. This realization helps me have more empathy for people WHEN they can’t understand it! It’s no one’s fault, just how it is. That’s just my experience though.
You see, both of my parents exhibit some traits of OCD. For example, they tend to overcheck stuff. I too have OCD, but they do not understand my particular OCD habits. So unless your parents have the same type of OCD as you, they will never truly understand the struggle you face. Those who have OCD can relate better to each other, but unless you have the same type, they might not fully understand why you do the things you do.
Hope this helps (how I’ve tried to explain!): - my brain plays on repeat distressing, unwanted thoughts and mental pictures through day and it just won’t shut up. - It can invade everything, including the fun stuff. - It can look like I’m not paying attention, but I’m trying to pay attention to 2 things at once (got that one from a novel!) - don’t like or hate doing my compulsions/actions, especially if they are time-intensive or public. I don’t want to do them and would rather be doing anything else. The anxiety/fear is so overwhelming (depending), that I feel like I have to do them, like there’s no other choice. Would reading a book help? The IOCDF has a list of book resources. I really related to a novel when I read it years ago, and still do in several ways. It’s called Kissing Doorknobs, and I’ve owned a few copies. Main character is a middle schooler. Note: there are parts/different topics + actions by characters in the novel that I feel can be triggering. Also it’s been 20 years since publication so I’m sure the educational component at the end is outdated! Last Note: my brother has flat out told me he does not understand but he recognizes how hard it can be, and is very supportive. Even if someone does not have full understanding they can still be in your corner!
@Anonymous thank you so much for the response! i was honestly thinking ab a book or even a video that can maybe explain it better than i can. sorry that your brother said he doesn’t understand- but it’s a good step that he recognizes how frustrating and hard it can be. i think that support is something that really helps us!
I don't bother anymore. They just think it's a generalized anxiety disorder.
I told my close friends about my OCD a few months ago and they were really supportive at first however there is this one girl who is really horrible about it. She tells me regularly that I should ‘just stop’ and that if she had OCD, she would just find a way to turn it off which makes it seem as though I am making my problems up! As well as this, she will often laugh at me for doing my compulsions even though I have explained to her on numerous occasions what they are and why I need to do them. Does anyone have any ideas about how to explain to her why I am like this? I feel like I have tried everything! Any advice would be greatly appreciated ☺️
Anyone got advice on how to explain to my parents/friends that I have OCD and need help, I can’t cope alone anymore. I need support from someone.
Hey guys! I wanna know, does anybody here has told someone close about their ocd? Because i just told my mom and even though she handled it very well i don’t know how i feel.
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