I’ve just downloaded the app because I’ve had a very bad break down in front of my best friends because of a trigger regarding a social obsession that I have a lot of trouble with. And I regret that this isn’t the first time but it’s been a little over 6 months since the last one in front of them. This break down has caused a lot strain between us, and they feel as if I’ve unfairly blamed them for something even though I’ve tried to explain that I understand my emotional reaction was not rational given the situation, and that I don’t in fact blame them for anything and that I feel horrible for the situation itself and not being able to be normal during it rather than them. I think it’s difficult for anyone without OCD to understand how this feels so I can’t blame them for being upset with me. My question to anyone who doesn’t mind sharing is, if anyone has had a lot of strain caused on the relationships with your loved ones, were you able to repair it? And if so could you please give me tips on how you managed to explain your situation to them?

I suffer with checking OCD and my husband never wanted me to 'believe I had OCD' (as he put it) he just thought it was anxiety and I'd get over this phase I was going through. We had loads of arguments where I was fed up of him not accepting that I do indeed suffer from OCD. If he didn't understand it just made me feel stupid- as his opinions mean a lot to me. He now gets it finally! ( don't get me wrong he finds it difficult to deal with as some days Are harder than others for me and so he obviously feels that with me too) but I managed to break it down to him that does he ever have times when he massively doubted an action or a decision he made and that he just needs to go back and check and then I asked him to magnify that feeling a lot! And to understand that checking once just doesn't cut it...he seems to understand a bit more now and he tells me that whenever those occasional moments have happened to him he does now think of me and realised how much it must affect me and as he can just check once and feel okay about it.

With my family I share content about what it feels like to go through an OCD episode. There is an example on the treatmyocd website that works well. It’s easier for people to read about what ocd is like then hearing it from someone verbally IMO

Don’t blame yourself for your ocd. Ocd is not you. It’s difficult for people without ocd to understand what’s going on, so I don’t blame them. But I also don’t blame you, and you shouldn’t blame yourself. If you don’t already, I recommend seeing a therapist or a counselor. This app will hopefully help though

@Cjx: it’s in the “Learn About OCD” section I believe

I had a lot of strain on so many close relationships due to OCD and my eating disorder (which I now am in recovery from). I was able to repair the relationship with my parents and build that trust back up that I broke. A lot of relationships healed. Some didn’t. My best friend at the time, we aren’t close anymore. I blame the ocd and my eating disorder. But I guess some people just aren’t supposed to take this journey with us. Some are. It is hard and it sucks. I still think “if only this didn’t happen...if only I didn’t have my ocd and eating disorder, we would still be best friends.” But not everyone is prepared or equipped to go on this journey with us. I hope you can repair the relationships that have suffered! We are here for you ♥️♥️

Mjs110160 where is it on the website?

Thank you everyone for your comments. I’ve tried reaching out and explaining things they just got more frustrated. I don’t know if I got through to them or if I’ve placed even more strain. I guess time will tell. I tried explaining in terms of a contamination obsession I have so that they can see how it goes in your head. “If i valet my car then I’ll get lice.” Ironically they just got frustrated and me to stop “overthinking things” which is the main predicament of my entire existence. If I could I would. I wish people understood that more.