Should I share my ocd diagnosis with new employer?

I posted the other day about my subtype of staring ocd but I’m supposed to start a new job next week. I work in wellness/beauty and will be seeing people half naked. It doesn’t trigger me as I’m treating clients but only when I’m not supposed to be looking (like normal interactions). It happens when people wear very revealing clothes or are super curvy and my eye goes to that area. It also happens when people are adjusting themselves and my eye goes to their hands. It’s very embarrassing and I quit my last job because of this and I don’t want to make more people feel uncomfortable. It left me very depressed and hopeless. It’s such a frustrating type of ocd to deal with because it impacts me financially and socially. I just want to feel okay. Anyways, I’m writing this because I’m wondering if I should share with my new employer about this issue so I don’t weird anyone out or keep it to myself? I’m not sure what to do. I need money as I have a mortgage and two kids and would like to help my husband. I’m currently on Zoloft 50mg, have done therapy but this is such a hard type to treat as it’s not the cleaning type. I know I’m not supposed to ask for advice about what to do but I need to know so I can make a decision and not get cold feet.

Honeyshark

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 17d ago

I wouldn’t tell them and I’d use your health insurance to sign up with an OCD therapist. Staring OCD is pretty common so they can help.

Sam0506

Date posted: 17d ago

@Honeyshark I have gone to a therapist with nocd but had to stop because I have a newborn and 18 mo old. So I’m very busy but will start again. I just don’t want people to be uncomfortable around me, it causes me to feel so paranoid and anxious, which is why I thought it’d be good to open up.

Honeyshark

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16d ago

@Sam0506 It kinda sounds like a confession compulsion and you’re looking to your boss to reassure you that your OCD isn’t a problem. So better to hold off and instead take that energy and get an OCD Therapist to talk to instead. Unfortunately cuz we have OCD us talking about our themes with anyone besides an OCD therapist (or people who are close to us and understand how to react to OCD) usually makes it way way worse for us. :/

julianofnorwich

Date posted: 17d ago

I wouldn't tell them either they wouldn't understand . You are not alone I have this too sometimes

Sam0506

Date posted: 17d ago

@julianofnorwich I figured I would since my job is so customer facing and I don’t want people to wonder what’s wrong with me lol when it’s ocd causing me to act like this and not in a perv way. I just want to keep the job and enjoy it.

JediMJ

Date posted: 17d ago

Another vote for not sharing with your employer. It sounds like you want to confess. I don’t think it would be productive for anyone. Also, maybe people who wear revealing clothing are anticipating people looking? I don’t know. And following a hand movement seems like a natural thing to do. But if it makes people uncomfortable, maybe you become fixated on a spot? Could you learn to change your focus faster? I’m not sure I understand exactly what you’re dealing with. (I just reread your post—you told us—staring. I just think some looking is *normal* and maybe you can learn to stare less? I don’t have this type of OCD so I’m looking at it from the outside.) I think if you tell your employer, it will be a red flag to them. I want you to be able to enjoy this job without worrying about your employer waiting for you to slip up. You’re already monitoring your behavior. I mean, that O stands for obsessive. 😆 All of us are fixated on something! You’re not alone. You can figure this out, one little bit at a time. Wishing you the best.

Sam0506

Date posted: 16d ago

@JediMJ Thanks for your response. I needed to hear this. Also, as far as trying not to stare, the more I tell myself not to, the more my eyes go up and down and it just happens automatically too now.

JediMJ

Date posted: 16d ago

@Sam0506 Hmm. If it happens automatically *now*, then once there was a time when it didn’t. You can change your brain. It is harder when it’s automatic, but you can become more self-aware and redirect your brain. At least I think you can. For me, it’s automatic worrying/rumination. I was stuck in problem-solving loops that never solved anything. I didn’t think I could change my “overthinking” but other people said I could so I allowed that possibility to exist. And then found out I could. I can’t always prevent it, but when I find myself stuck in a thought loop, I can acknowledge it, sometimes find the intrusive thought that started it, and then move on. For you, I imagine it could go something like this: Realize you’re staring at someone’s groin area. Move your gaze to the floor (or whatever). Be curious—why was I staring? Oh, he moved his hand and my eyes followed it. No big deal. Don’t engage intrusive thoughts…maybe/maybe not. Reset to the present moment. For me, I had to apply a level of understanding and compassion to myself and then my anxiety faded. I hope you find a way to overcome the OCD issues at work so you can enjoy your job. I’m rooting for you!

No matric ce...

Date posted: 17d ago

Firstly it can work one of two ways if your employer understands ocd and how erp works then great, but if he or she doesn't understand that could cause a problem, this itself is a expourse they may or may not understand your ocd and how treatment works .it's a hard one though,if you can speak to your old therapist or new one they can give you professional advice what to do ,I wish good luck with this,

Sam0506

Date posted: 17d ago

@No matric certificate Sounds hopeless :/ I’m wondering if I can word it in a certain way that won’t hurt me.

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Should I share my ocd diagnosis with new employer?

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