aliengurl
- Date posted
- 1y
Opening up about OCD.
Does anyone open up to friends, family, coworkers about their OCD? Specifically work.. I'm having a relapse and find it hard to function at work some days.
Cat75Cat75
- Date posted
- 1y
Yes and i have found it to be so much easier than hide it. Share it with someone you trust and are close with, they will understand if you explain it to them:)
BMAnonBMAnon
- Date posted
- 1y
I’m in a relapse at the moment as well, I open up to my boyfriend just to let him know I’m struggling, I think it’s good to have someone know that you’re having a rough time. But it’s also hard to open up because you don’t want to feel like you’re using these people for reassurance. Sometimes I close off to protect those around me but also to ensure I don’t start seeking reassurance, but I don’t think we have to be alone. I think if you let coworkers know that you’re struggling with OCD they would be understanding but also remember that you don’t have to explain yourself to them.
Cat75Cat75
- Date posted
- 1y
Also you don’t need to tell them everything or every detail. For example at work you don’t have to explain every fear or ocd subtype of yours, just generally what you struggle with. I at least did that with my teachers at school and they were very supportive:)
BMAnonBMAnon
- Date posted
- 1y
@Cat75 Agree with that!
Alya AzizAlya Aziz
- Date posted
- 1y
I am unable to complete my graduate school work and I keep asking for extensions and incompletes. I feel very embarrassed. Did you go through this?
Alya AzizAlya Aziz
- Date posted
- 1y
OCD is so misunderstood so how much should we explain?
Cat75Cat75
- Date posted
- 1y
@Alya Aziz I guess you are from the US😅? I am living in Scandinavia so we have good systems for that compared to other countries. My therapist and school worked together and I had very understanding teachers. I wish I could help more but I don’t know how everything works in the US. Do you think your teacher would be understanding?
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 1y
I open up to some family members, friends, and coworkers. If you are finding it hard to function at work and it is effecting work performance, employers legally have to provide reasonable accommodations under ADA. I suggest you look into resources online regarding accommodations and what would be required on your end.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 1y
I don’t like to tell coworkers about it because there can be a lot of stigma surrounding ocd, and because I don’t think my coworkers need to know those kinds of details about me. In my experience, my mental health struggles have always been used against me at work. But if you can access any kind of disability support, I’d suggest going that route if you need help or accommodations to do your job at the moment. It’s both no one’s business why you need support and also protected under the ADA so just from a legal standpoint, I prefer to go official routes for support and keep the details of my health to myself. But to each their own.
aliengurlaliengurl
- Date posted
- 1y
Thank you everyone for your input. Most of my friends know and some family. I've been finding it difficult to find support outside of therapy with people who are actually willing to understand.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 1y
Adding to above, I did let a few bosses know as well.
aliengurlaliengurl
- Date posted
- 1y
Thank you for your input. Were your bosses supportive?
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 1y
@aliengurl Yes they were. In regards to reasonable accommodations, I don’t think I had to tell them exactly (take with a grain of salt — haven’t looked in awhile), but for a few bosses I chose to.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 1y
@aliengurl And I have some workplace accommodations
aliengurlaliengurl
- Date posted
- 1y
@Anonymous If you don't mind me asking what type of accomodations are out there? Also, are you in the US? Thank you
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