- Date posted
- 2y
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.
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.
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:)
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.
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:)
@Cat75 Agree with that!
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?
OCD is so misunderstood so how much should we explain?
@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?
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.
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.
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.
Adding to above, I did let a few bosses know as well.
Thank you for your input. Were your bosses supportive?
@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.
@aliengurl And I have some workplace accommodations
@Anonymous If you don't mind me asking what type of accomodations are out there? Also, are you in the US? Thank you
OCD doesn't take a break just because you have work to do. What are some ways that OCD has popped up for you at your work?
I posted the other day about my subtype of staring ocd but I’m supposed to start a new job next week. I work in wellness/beauty and will be seeing people half naked. It doesn’t trigger me as I’m treating clients but only when I’m not supposed to be looking (like normal interactions). It happens when people wear very revealing clothes or are super curvy and my eye goes to that area. It also happens when people are adjusting themselves and my eye goes to their hands. It’s very embarrassing and I quit my last job because of this and I don’t want to make more people feel uncomfortable. It left me very depressed and hopeless. It’s such a frustrating type of ocd to deal with because it impacts me financially and socially. I just want to feel okay. Anyways, I’m writing this because I’m wondering if I should share with my new employer about this issue so I don’t weird anyone out or keep it to myself? I’m not sure what to do. I need money as I have a mortgage and two kids and would like to help my husband. I’m currently on Zoloft 50mg, have done therapy but this is such a hard type to treat as it’s not the cleaning type. I know I’m not supposed to ask for advice about what to do but I need to know so I can make a decision and not get cold feet.
How do you tell friends and family about ocd? Like it makes me so anxious and I feel like such a terrible person. A lot of my intrusive thoughts are on my kids. And I hate every single thing that comes into my head.
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