- Date posted
- 2d
ROCD- new relationship, scary thoughts
I’m relatively new to exploring my OCD, and have been struggling with this for years but only recently put a name to it and explored the symptoms and tools for managing it. I’ve also recently committed to a relationship, and this post orients heavily around that subject. I’m a sophomore in college, and it’s been a while since I’ve been in a relationship this serious. He’s a junior at a different college about 1.5 hours away. We study two vastly different things, and he’s very occupied with a number of commitments. (This is important later) I told him on one particularly bad morning about how my brain operates and obsessive thoughts that occupy my head, especially about him. I elaborated on fixation and illogical thoughts. He’s attentive and knew something was up, and came up with a mechanism for reassuring me when I’m questioning the validity of his feelings towards me (I would get worked up about the way he said something, or unresponsiveness, or something). I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into though, and now I feel like a burden to him and should just end things before he can’t handle all my bagage anymore. As indicated, this is the first time in a while that I’ve been in a serious relationship. My past has been riddled with sexual validation instead of emotional and intellectual. I care extremely deeply though about whoever I’m committed to, and with him I bend over backwards to make things happen. He, as indicated, is extremely career focused, and while I think he’s comfortable in our relationship and does like me (further, that we both have a similar desire to love deeply), he will frequently prioritize his career more while trying to “fit me in”. I feel like I’m doing too much for someone that isn’t always reciprocating the same level of effort, but I think the crux of it is that I’ll put everything else aside for him while he manages to balance me, his social life, and career with more ease. Recently, he told me that I call/text/am involved too much. Essentially, that he can’t call me every night and when we do call it’s for hours on end and this is impeding on the rest of his life and it should be scaled down a bit. My brain took this to an extreme, and all I wanted to do is run. Illogical thoughts said this was the beginning of the end, that I’ve messed up a good thing, and that I’ve come on too strong with both my OCD, reassurance, and deep feelings. I haven’t been able to let it go, and have spiraled into all sorts of justifications about what he “really” feels and why. In the moment I was angry, upset, and irrational. I’ve calmed down, and I know these thoughts aren’t logical and further that my brain is attacking me. It’s a flare up, and I recognize that but how do I navigate my OCD with my partner? Also, a little advice would be appreciated. How set boundaries with myself for giving him a little breathing room- now that the novelty of the new relationship is dying down. How does my OCD play into this, especially with analyzing how he feels, and how do I quiet the obsessive thoughts in my head. Disclaimer- I know OCD comes in all types of forms, and that this isn’t the most extreme. My symptoms are very real though, and impede my ability to think and function properly. I appreciate any grace you all have :) thank you.