I want to tell my boyfriend that I struggle with OCD, he knows about my anxiety to an extent but not the OCD. Things are getting serious between us and I feel like I ought to tell him about this part of me too. How have any of you handled telling those close to you about your OCD? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, this may help https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/tell-friends-about-my-ocd#:~:text=Remember%20to%20take%20your%20time,then%20about%20the%20diagnosis%20itself. Wishing you all the best.
I know how scary this can be. The right people for you will be understanding and supportive of you. You may feel a big relief after you open up to him. ♥️ good luck
@aliengurl Thank you 💗. I just feel like if he knows the full breadth of it and that it’s not just anxiety on its own he may better understand me too I hope.
@H1598 Right and it may be a good opportunity for him to learn more about it and be able to help support you in the future with your treatment goals.
Been there..when my OCD got really bad last year I told my boyfriend, but only because I wanted to. If it helps: it’s your decision to tell people or not to tell them, you don’t owe anybody any of that information nor do you have to feel inclined to mention any of your themes. If you think it would help the situation, by all means! Personally, I cried, I did and even still do as he sees me walk out of a room post-ERP with tears. I’m thankful to have a loving and supportive boyfriend. I think the big thing for me was telling him in case I had a panic attack while we went away or something like that — I didn’t want him to be afraid. The important thing is to just breathe and not he embarrassed. This is a part of what comes with you.
@Samiellie Thank you that does help! I want him to just at least be aware that I have it, and in regards to sharing and explaining the themes I feel like that would be something I’d rather disclose at a later time for sure. But I do feel like telling him will be a huge weight off my shoulders, and so he can at least understand that my anxiousness and/or irritably usually originated from that. And just not having to feel like I have to upkeep this facade too anymore 😅💗.
@H1598 I’m glad! As long as it comes from a place of understanding/informing and not reassurance-seeking you’re good! It definitely is like a weight off of your shoulders and he can get a better understanding as to why you might get extremely anxious at certain things. Idk about you, but there have been times where I’m sitting there fighting back tears because something so general comes up, but was a trigger..🤦🏻♀️ And that’s my favorite thing I heard a specialist say once on a post — you don’t owe anyone anything, you do not have to explain yourself whatsoever. Your disorder is yours and you make decisions as to how much you want to share or not. Also linking below some helpful posts from this advocate/therapist below: + https://www.instagram.com/p/CpuySoLsXp3/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg== + https://www.instagram.com/p/Co8ZTQNMPhO/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==
@Samiellie Yeah me wanting to tell them is definitely from a place of just informing/making them aware. I think it will be a huge relief knowing that he at least understands where the anxiousness is coming from when it does flare up so that in those moments I don’t have to on top of things explain why 🤷🏼♀️. And oh thank you, I’ll be sure to check the links out 😁.
@H1598 Anytime! Good luck — you’ve got this!!
Hey guys! My boyfriend has said recently that he doesn't know if he's strong enough to continue with our relationship because of my OCD. He wants to see me overcome my symptoms and learn to live a healthy life with OCD, but my anxieties and obsessions are starting to really affect his life. I understand his reasoning, it's hard to see someone you care about struggle with OCD, especially when it starts to affect you too. I'm asking for tips to deal with my compulsions in the relationship. I HAVE to know the answer to things and sometimes that leads into arguments because even with apologies and discussions I can't let things go, even if they genuinely don't matter or are miniscule issues we have. It's a healthy relationship otherwise but I feel horrible because it's impacting him so negatively, that's the absolute last thing I want to happen. I care for him deeply and he cares for me too, so I don't want my OCD to be a reason we break up but I fear it's headed in that direction. I'm starting therapy soon, but until then what are some things I can do to stop my ROCD from impacting him? I know sitting in the guilt and anxiety of not completing my obsessions will help, but I'm wondering if there are other things I can do to maybe remedy some of the damage already done.
For those of you in relationships with ROCD, do your partners know of your diagnosis. I am new to treatment and new to this avenue of mental health. I am generally pretty open and honest with my partner about things but the dark side of my mind I keep hidden. I’m scared to tell him about this if I’m diagnosed. And I’m scared that if I’m diagnosed and something real does go south in the relationship then my diagnosis will be used against me.
Hi all, I would really appreciate some advice on how you told a loved one about having ocd, specifically a significant other. I’ve been with mine for over 5 years, and I just had a recent diagnosis of OCD. To be honest, with the subtype I have, it’s really crippling to deal with, and I have a major worry of my partner not understanding the subtype. I would love to get some advice on how to best approach it and how to provide understanding that I’m still the same person. Thanks!
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