scared to tell family

I’m really sorry to post again but I really want to tell my family because it would take the weight off my shoulder knowing they know I’m struggling really bad and so they will stop comparing me to other teenagers that are normal I feel ashamed that I can’t be like them and on top of that I’m not diagnosed which is another reason I would want to tell them so I can try to get proper help and diagnosis even if it’s not OCD but every time I muster up some courage to tell them I get worried it’s not a disorder or something like that and that I’m truly just a bad person. How do I tell them?

lembagel

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

first don’t apologize for reaching out for help. you’re doing the right thing <3 second, make a plan in your mind, say i will tell them on this day and this time and then actually tell them that too. “hey i have something i really need to talk to you about, can we talk today after school?” something like that so you know when it’s gonna happen. you can make a little notes app in your phone of the things you wanna tell them. the only thing is once you do all that, try to continue your day as normal because if you ruminate on it until it comes, you’ll only get more anxious about it. plan it, think about it a little, then move on until it gets there. if you catch yourself spiraling about it try to say “i can’t control what they will say. i can only control me telling them” or “i don’t have to think about this right now. the time will come later”. good luck darling, you will get through this even if it’s not OCD (but it really sounds like it is 😉)

anonymous.22

Date posted: Yesterday

I am just so scared they will disown me or not like me or think terribly of me or I’ll get sent to a psych ward of course that’s most likely not to happen but still but thank you so much for your help, it truly helps a lot!

lembagel

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@anonymous.22 my therapist would probably say some bs like “yeah they might do all of that” and i’m not going to reassure you and say they might not. i am however going to say that what your thoughts are telling you, is actually OCD lying to you. ocd takes the thing you’re most terrified of and makes you believe it to be fact. that’s what’s so awful about our brains. but guess what, that’s ocd. not you. the only way through is to start the convo with them, otherwise you’ll be stuck in this anxiety loop only thinking yourself into a deeper hole. you are strong. you can do the hard thing. we’re all here behind you supporting you

anonymous.22

Date posted: Yesterday

@lembagel - I think I’m going to try and tell them next week, thank you for your help I’m going to try and be strong!!

Indigoglow

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

first off just the fact that you are trying to take good care of yourself and get what you need is awesome! And you are normal you are human and trying to figure it out. Most parents are able to support that even if they dont understand the details. You can tell them and asking for help is commendable. The first time telling is always challenging and filled with emotion. give yourself grace and them too. take it one step at a time. Help them understand what support you are hoping for good luck and remember it dorsnt have to be solved in one conversation just a first step

anonymous.22

Date posted: Yesterday

Thank you so much! I’ll definitely keep this in mind thank you for the help!

Indigoglow

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

the other thing i tried with my parents when it was scary was i wrote them a letter and then we talked about it. not sure if this is helpful for you but it helped me get my ideas out and gave them time to process. i think my mom even wrote me a letter back and then we talked

anonymous.22

Date posted: Yesterday

I think I might try this it sounds like a really good idea!! Thank you you’ve been a big help!!

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