Opening up about OCD

I remember telling my mother I was diagnosed with OCD for the first time, and telling her “don’t be scared but THIS is what I’ve been thinking” she was definitely terrified at first because she didn’t understand how I could be having these thoughts- but once she started researching and receiving more information about OCD she is definitely was a lot more supportive

I was diagnosed 15 years ago and never told anyone. They noticed my behavior and nicknamed me “crazy” as a joke and I never felt comfortable sharing any more of my journey. They’ve noticed me getting better over the years so I’ve been more vocal overtime. Now, I speak freely about it because I’m not ashamed anymore. I worked hard to be better and feel better and I don’t let people make me feel bad anymore.

My fiancee was the only one to understand me but he passed away suddenly 😔

Only to a couple family and friends like 4 people. People often look down on people with mental health issues. I hope one day it will be normal for people be open about their mental health. I think even though ocd causes me great pain it also makes me more compassionate, think through my decisions and understanding that others may have things going on with them I don’t understand and treat their issues with respect like I want someone to treat mine that they don’t understand. I think having OCD is help me understand that everyone thinks differently, and that it’s OK for others to have different opinions to me as long as they are not unethical or flat out unlogical .  

At point in time that I entered talk therapy, every one close to me , even my primary doctor, insisted that I go because I was suicidal. It took several sessions before I opened up and once I did I learned a lot about myself and our family dynamics. I started sharing in small amounts what I learned but more importantly I changed how I responded to certain situations and siblings and that was the big difference. Then when I was diagnosed with OCD everything changed for the best. I shared some of my exposures with the family and they all got involved. It was such an amazing experience.

I have a therapist now!

I’m so so so thankful that I can talk openly to my friends and family about my OCD. It’s been heart warming how loving they’ve been and taken time to understand and research further about what OCD actually is!

Telling friends or coworkers isn’t so bad, I have to disclose epilepsy anyway. When I first told my dad he dismissed me and essentially said ocd wasn’t proven or factual. It’s been a couple years and we don’t talk very much but if I bring it up he’s more supportive and respectful of it (he was diagnosed with bipolar and was skeptical about mental health because of his own parents). Education saves lives, so I do my best to share and be vulnerable, in case someone doesn’t know what it is. I wasn’t diagnosed until 25, because I was ignorant of what OCD is.

I haven't . Usually, where i come from. Mental illness are followed by stigmas and hence: i keep it to myself. Not to mention, i don't wanna be vulnerable in my family since it isn't exactly safe to be so. I am still debating whether to or not. Its been a year since having OCD for me. And i think about if i tell my loved ones. They would be more understanding but my past experiences of sharing my problems tell me otherwise. Though, i have shared it with my sister and while she doesnt fully understand it. She is supportive and kind. Its not enough to deal with this terrible thing but then to feel alone about it too😵

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I tell no one because no one gets it 🥺

I didn’t tell my family until a little over 2 years after my diagnosis. I wanted to do therapy on my terms, without having to justify it or talk about it. I finally felt “ready” in June (or as ready as I ever am, making a decision with OCD). I had gone back and forth over who to tell first, and how. I decided to bring it up in my family group text. My text said “I’m going to a charity walk for people with OCD. Like me. Surprise!” They didn’t get what I meant at first. I told my dad the same night by just saying “I was diagnosed with OCD two years ago.” My family doesn’t talk about heavy topics, and we never discussed mental health. But I’m very fortunate that I have close friends, who understand and empathize with mental illness, so I told them shortly after my diagnosis. It feels more freeing to be open about it, and not hide it anymore.

My best friend and roommate was the one who noticed that my behaviors and thoughts were excessive and encouraged me to get help. I never wanted to tell anyone else about it because I wasn’t sure they’d understand and I didn’t want to make them worry. My parents found out accidentally about a year after starting treatment when I switched my pharmacy and they saw the medications I was taking. They have been nothing but supportive but they definitely don’t fully understand OCD. We aren’t good at talking about serious things so it has made for some awkward conversations. Often it makes me feel vulnerable and I wish I could go back to a time where no one knew but I appreciate their support.

I was crying trying to explain to them what I was going through they didn't believe me until they saw how I was suffering and now I'm here

I wish my family understand my struggle

I pick and choose but in general I’ll tell people because it helps educate and bring awareness to OCD. I know I wish someone had talked to me about their OCD earlier so I could have had treatment earlier. Win! My friend is a registered nurse and she said my talking to her about my OCD helped her notice/see OCD in one of her patients! So that’s a win! But yeah harm OCD, pedophile OCD I don’t feel like people get so it’s harder to talk to them about it without them freaking out internally.

I started with telling my partner and my close friends, who were already open about their mental health. It turned out that by describing my ocd, one of my friends realized she also has ocd! She started ERP and we will still talk about our mental health when we catch up. I tried to tell my mom and she was pretty dismissive each time. She never asked me about it again, so I never felt comfortable sharing more. I was a little surprised because she’s been very supportive whenever I called her because I’m in crisis because of ocd and she knows I’ve been in therapy for various things since high school (she helped me get my first therapist). I haven’t told my dad or my sister, and I feel some guilt about this because I highly suspect that they both have OCD. I just don’t feel comfortable opening up, except I know that I could open the door to them getting help… hence the guilt.

I went to loved ones for reassurance way to much and then my themes became more scary and it scared them. I talk about how I now have specialized help and have told them what ERP is and how it’s the exact opposite of talk therapy. they seem very supportive and even ask a few questions but the conversations are very light. I don’t dare go far into it.

Mine usually starts with....I had an ocd thought that's got me right now and this is what it is( never full detail bc that is scary for me ). My wife usually doesn't know what to say but it helps to let her know this is why I'm anxious right now.

I want to find an ocd community actually.

No one understands me

Hey I have the symptoms of ocd since 2019 but I still feel like it's not OCD it leaves me with a excruciating pain and discomfort

I told just my mom and brothers because I was convinced they knew something was wrong with me. They were good about it and supportive but said it must not be too bad. The worst of my compulsions are mental and it is actually pretty severe but I've been hiding it from them so I understand why they don't see it. I was surprised when I was diagnosed too. I didn't think "thinking" could be a compulsion lol.Depends on the family I'm sure but it was helpful for me to see the distortion between what I believe v the perceptions of the people closest to me. My brother asked me some questions about it I didn't even think to ask my therapist about as well which was helpful too. Made me realize that I'm so afraid of falling into reassurance compulsions that I've believed it was wrong to ask questions or talk about my ocd. I even thought my therapist would be mad I told them about it. 😅 She said it was a good step for me

I remember telling my mother I was diagnosed with OCD for the first time, and telling her “don’t be scared but THIS is what I’ve been thinking” she was definitely terrified at first because she didn’t understand how I could be having these thoughts- but once she started researching and receiving more information about OCD she is definitely was a lot more supportive

I had been noticing patterns in my behavior for years that seemed… disproportionate for the circumstances looking back until I reached a breaking point. A small issue sent me into a full blown panic and I just couldn’t take that response anymore and the hours I spent recovering from it. I talked to my partner first, who said that the only way I would have answers about what was wrong, if something was wrong, was if I asked someone to help. He made it feel much smaller, like it was a manageable and treatable thing and not a scary ephemeral monster that took over large swaths of my life. That gave me the courage to get help.

My family basically refused to help me. So there you go.

I spoke to my family Dr and she prescribed Paxil.

I don't anymore. I told two old friends. They only had me come & meet up w them & They thought I was going to act out my intrusive thoughts. The husband was on guard & they were like it was great to see you etc let's get together. I send each of them texts saying it was great to see you let me know when u wanna get together . All is quiet on the western front my friends. It's like hello...hello...is my microphone on? My partner whose super chill & calm even commented " if they were so worried you would hurt them why on earth did they have you come". Nope i don't tell anyone anymore. I even asked them if they had questions or understood. Yeah yeah...

I’ve started it with people I am closest too with “hey, I’ve been struggling a lot recently and I get really scared…” and then I tell them the types of fears I have- usually with them sometimes (as they are close to me) and how I get scared with the violent or sexual thoughts. Luckily the people I know and have talked to about this have been very understanding and it’s helped to realize I am not crazy for having these thoughts and not misunderstood

That it’s not just about keeping things clean and orderly.