How open are you about your OCD?

I used to hide it. I'm quite open about it now. It's a lot easier to deal with it through humour etc. when the people around you know. Example: someone will walk in on me excessively checking a plug and ask me wtf I'm doing, I'll shout 'I HAVE OCD'. Of course it's not funny when I'm alone, but when you have someone else in the room that's NOT doing these weird behaviours it can put things into perspective. I find it way easier to cope now that I'm open than when I tried to hide it.

Sorry I’m new to all this what is pocd ocd ? I don’t even know what the name is for mine , I get it with the stigma .i have a little girl and she’s 7 .in one hand I’m terrified of her picking up my traits .in the other I don’t want to go to a docter incase I’m labelled as the mum that can’t cope

Oh Iv never herd of that .in fact I haven’t herd of a lot of these types . OCD has this cleaning stigma to it ..a girl at work ( she doesn’t know I have OCD ) I could with having OCD so my house would be clean ..in my head I was think “ oh it’s so much more “ I wouldn’t even know how to describe mine .. I turn the light switch of to the left and I easy end up going back and forth because it doesn’t feel right

I don't really hold it back, I don't just tell everyone, but if I think someone should know (they are around me a lot, or an employer) I tell them. Everyone has their struggles, why hide them when you have people that can help you!

Has it since I was ten at least .only just admitted it now at the age of 31 , and I have still only told a close friend.

I first realised I have ocd about two years ago. I go to a support group where it’s great to be able to talk openly about my obsessions :) I’ve told a few friends and family members that I have ocd, and I’ve only told my two sisters about the nature of the thoughts so far (I have pocd). I have had severe depression in the past and most people I am close to know about that, so I don’t really feel any mental health stigma with my ocd, just obviously a lot of stigma about the content of the thoughts!!

Oh sorry! It’s a type of pure OCD that revolves around the fear that you could actually be/become a paedophile (very distressing and taboo!)

I would recommend going to the doctor if you can! The most helpful thing is to get the treatment you need - I don’t think OCD goes away on its own and it can get worse if it’s untreated. If it helps, I’ve met lots of parents at treatment groups for OCD and their doctors completely understood (including parents who were convinced they were going to stab their child or that they were a pedophile). It’s a well known and treatable mental health problem, although it can feel completely overwhelming and scary!

Yep people always seem to just know about the cleaning!

Yeah downloading this was pretty much the biggest step Iv taken in 11 years .. I was looking at groups but there don’t appear to be any near me

Well done for taking this step :) Yeah i think treatment options really depend on where you are located. I would maybe recommend getting in touch with someone who might be able to point you in the right direction. Maybe a local mental health service or something? There is also a person called Christie Hodges on YouTube, who connects people around the world to local ocd services and support groups. And obviously this forum is helpful too!

Oh brilliant I’ll have a look for her .thanks so much