I know confession is a compulsion, and it ultimately feeds into the cycle, but I'm tearing myself apart over this and I want help. I just want to confess everything to my partner, and then we can figure out how to deal with my thoughts together. Should I confess?
If this is mostly about developing a support system in general you could just share having OCD and not get into the specifics/theme of the thoughts. Sharing the thoughts could open up the door to things like reassurance without even seeking it (its just a natural way for ppl to respond/feel like they're helping) and make it harder not to do confessions as compulsions. If you have a therapist its worth asking them though.
@Anonymous This is a great response!
Yeah, you're probably right, but I don't really know how explain what kind of help I need.. I don't know anyone I can talk to consistently who has OCD
@Siffrin What are your thoughts on ERP? I'm doing this now and its guided how I talk to my partner about my ocd. I share with them when im struggling and to what degree/intensity level (both in a general sense). They knows I need to learn to sit with the distress and encourage me to do so in those moments. However if the intensity is really high they'll ask if I need a distraction and we've previously discussed what distractions work and what distractions I consider unhealthy (aka signs that they should encourage me to contact my therapist or psychiatrist). Idk anyone IRL with OCD. I mostly come to this app when I need to connect with OCD folks.
I understand where you are coming from you probably feel guilty because of your thoughts and therefore feel the need to confess them, tell your partner if you are comfortable with it or talk about the thoughts you feel comfortable telling them. Also do not confess just because you feel the need to fight it if you have to. Please know you are not alone and there are people that care about you.
Hello, confession is a compulsion as you mentioned. It is important to resist the urge to do this as it does reinforce the OCD cycle. I know how overwhelming it can feel when the urge to confess is so strong, especially when you want to involve your partner for support. Remember, giving in to the compulsion may only provide temporary relief and can keep you stuck in the cycle. If you’d like additional support, feel free to book a free call with our NOCD team. We’d be happy to share more information and explore ways to help. No one has to live in fear of their own thoughts. Also here are some helpful resources: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/when-compulsions-backfire/ https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/undetected-ocd-symptoms/ https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/ocd-compulsive-confession-vs-healthy-sharing/
I mean you’re just confessing Tourette’s and ocd I do tell my partner and laughing and vomiting about it helps me so much I recommend 10/10 I realize it sounds super taboo and you have to ufndestwnd ocd is a real condition it’s not anything grotesque in real life like an attraction, it’s the opposite Thing of it as a disturbed (bothers you) mind that’s a little bit wonky and can be remedied and managed so
This is my first post & I’m terrified. I have not been officially diagnosed w ocd yet but in a nutshell - I confessed some things I felt guilty about to my husband about five months ago. ( nothing too major ) but in our past, 20+ years ago I was unfaithful and it caused a LOT of harm, which I told him all of that back when it happened. But in recent months, I started getting consumed by guilt. I couldnt eat or sleep until I finally broke one night and told him all these recent little things I felt guilty about. Acting flirty, etc. And for him it like brought back allll the trauma from 20 years ago which I didn’t know would happen. But it’s so bad. He says he wishes I never told him. But even w that, I still feel like I keep thinking of “new things “ I did in the past, thoughts I had or dreams, or conversation w an ex,things like that. Because I am a Christian I also keep feeling like it’s the Holy Spirit telling me I haven’t told him everything and I need to. But I also know God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear .. I clearly need help, but I also want Christian based help so that it’s in line w what I believe ? I can’t eat and my anxiety is so bad again - I know if I confess more things it will keep destroying him, I don’t think he really understands or believes I have ocd. Thanks if you made it this far
Hello everyone! Is there anyone who told their partners that you experienced POCD in the past or that you are experiencing right now? How did they handle it? Did they understand it? Were they supportive? I'm creating future scenarios in my mind that I need to confess this to a future partner.
Hi, the last few days I have again really struggled with my pocd however it has only been focussed on one child. I am afraid I might think something so bad that if the parents would know they would hate me forever and I won’t be allowed to come there anymore. I constantly feel the need to check if I can think of these horrible things and the find out I can, my thoughts get more disturbing everytime because I constantly fear I will think of something more disturbing. I really feel the need to confess because I just can’t believe the parent would ever want to see me again if they knew and therefore I am obligated to tell them. I feel I can never become a good person if I don’t confess this to them. I am also really trying to not confess within this post as I know it will only make things worse. Is there anyone that can relate to this and is it really possible to heal without confessing this? And also are there any tips of how I can get myself to sleep I am so sleep deprived I cannot even go to school anymore. I am in the process of seeking professional help however this process goes awfully slow and I really do not know what to do hence this post. So to summarise is it really possible to heal from pocd without confessing to the people I am hurting with the absolutely disturbing thoughts that I have, there not just thoughts a pedophile would have they are way worse.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
