Struggling with dating culture and OCD

I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced a lot of recovery due to ERP but I’m often triggered to the point of relapsing anytime I date someone new. I feel like many of my friends talk about how noncommittal and casual the dating culture is but for me it’s more than an annoyance— it causes me to spiral. I don’t know how to actively date in this age where so much is grey and avoid rumination, checking, and other compulsions I struggle with. it’s so hard and I just wanted to know anyone else’s experiences?

Username: J1000J1000

Date posted: 50w ago

I agree with you dating now of days is very gray… which for people with OCD it opens the door for heavy rumination especially since dating is a huge part of life and culture. For me it causes a lot of anxiety and I fear rejection which as a guy it comes with the territory. When I get rejected all my ocd realms start attacking me 😅however I am a hopeful romantic and I will keep figuring it out. I tell myself before a date I’m nervous because I care and that’s a good foundation to have going into a date. Just be clear from the start about what you want in a relationship. A lot of people feel what you feel and I’m sure you are going to find someone who aligns with your dating goals. Also accepting being single for the rest of my life has help tone down some pressure I put on myself.

Username: gracefullgracefull

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 50w ago

@J1000 Thank you so much for your response. ❤️❤️❤️

Username: Northern_DownpourNorthern_Dow...

Date posted: 50w ago

I feel you. Dating in general is a big trigger for me. It just causes me daily anxiety and panic attacks due to how uncertain it is these days. I've even lost a friend because of it. I'm worried I'm not gonna be able to be in a happy relationship one day because of it. But hey, there's so many people with OCD who have successful relationships and are married, getting married, have been together years, etc. Itll always take a little extra work on our end but I like to think it'll be worth it.

Username: gracefullgracefull

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 50w ago

@Northern_Downpour Thank you so much ♥️

Username: EverythingzenEverythingzen

Date posted: 50w ago

I don’t know how much of this is an OCD thing or not. Dating is tough and especially in todays society. People want commitment (maybe some), but don’t want to put effort into their relationships. It’s a messed up dating world out there. I know everyone doesn’t want to be alone, but sometimes it at least in my opinion is the only way to get by. OCD and my low self esteem make it impossible to trust anyone except a few people in my life. But this may not be true in everyone’s case. If you want love work on yourself and go for it. Relationships make me ever crazier lol

Username: gracefullgracefull

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 50w ago

@Everythingzen Tell me about it! Thank you for responding. needed this

Username: gom

Date posted: 25w ago

How to deal with modern dating when you have OCD

I have never dated anyone bc of the fear that ocd would flare up too much and cause problems but this time i have taken a leap of faith and thought to myself that whatever ocd is gonna throw my way I will deal with it cause that's what I should be doing cause I can't not do anything in my life. What are your tips to when my ocd flares up due to me dating

Username: 𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧🤍🦇🎃

Date posted: 23w ago

NEW RELATIONSHIP OCD

I just started dating this guy not too many months ago. he is everything i ever wanted and he treats me right. but now my OCD intrusive thoughts are creeping back in. ones like “do i love him/like him” and like “i have to tell him im having these horrible OCD thoughts or we will never know how i truly feel.” but i know i love/like him. And sometimes I’ll be having a good day and then BAM, the thoughts smack me in the face and i get stuck in an anxious loop and it ruins my mood. how can i break this compulsion without feeling so anxious and do i tell him i’m having these thoughts to relieve the anxiety?

Username: Nocd1997!

Date posted: 22w ago

ROCD

Hi friends! I am someone who struggles with general OCD but have recently come to question if it is more specific to my relationship(s). In my heart, I feel that I am currently in the most loving, fulfilling and safe relationship that I have ever been in but lately things have been rocky. I find myself questioning a lot. Examples being: Is he really the one for me? What if I am missing out on something even better? Am I actually happy or am I lying to myself? Is this relationship doomed/am I doomed to be miserable in the future due to our age difference (met at 25 & 32, currently 27 & 35) I find myself trying to pick him apart more often than not lately, almost as though I am looking for something to fixate on in attempt to reassure myself of some of my already negative thoughts? I’m just curious if anyone out there that struggles with ROCD finds any similarities to the thoughts I am having? Sending love!

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Struggling with dating culture and OCD

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