- Date posted
- 1y
Struggling with relationship OCD (cheating)
I have been with my partner for over a year. I have a long history of abuse and pain, and he is my first healthy relationship. It truly feels this is the person I want to marry. Recently though, I made a new friend (male) and weāve been talking almost daily over text. This friend is older than me and has two kids, but is single. I love our conversations, and I find myself looking forward to talking with him. I made it clear multiple times I have a boyfriend, Iāve also actively talked about my boyfriend to make sure he is super aware that Iām not being flirty, that Iām just a friendly person. He has never made a move on me or anything. Recently however, Iāve been plagued with these thoughts that I am emotionally cheating on my boyfriend, and Iāll also get intrusive thoughts about me cheating on him with this person. I donāt have any romantic or sexual feelings on this person, but then my brain is like āyou sure? You do like talking to them a lot!ā And then it spirals. At some points the image of us having sex has come to mind and itās been seriously scary. I hate it so much because now Iām feeling disconnected from my own relationship because Iām too scared that Iām cheating. I of course talked about this with my partner and he was very supportive, even reassured me, but now the thoughts have gotten stronger and I am honestly scared. Iāve thought of just not texting this person anymore, or moving away (they are my neighbor), and Iāve actively avoided talking to them in person much. Iām so afraid. Iāve never cheated on anyone, and I donāt want to ever lose or hurt my partner. Sometimes I worry maybe I donāt have ocd, maybe Iām just a bad person. I donāt know. Iām just scared. Any advice?