Any advice on when to disclose my OCD to a new significant other? I don’t view it as defining me but I don’t want to drop this information too late into the dating process. Thanks

I think this is very good advice. Thanks for this. I guess I fear their entire perception of me changing, or second guessing whether anything I think or do is fueled by my OCD. It is a definitely a long term potential and we have been dating about 2 months now. She has commented already to me to “stop overthinking” things at times. So, little does she know... I suppose I would rather let her know in the nearer future as it is obviously a part of my life that I wouldn’t feel comfortable “hiding.” However, I’m not at the point of comfort to disclose this at the moment. When I told my therapist a couple weeks ago I was dating someone my therapist seemed surprised and made a comment I didn’t like by saying that, “oh well, I guess it is possible for people with OCD to have relationships.” So, if this is a comment a supposed empathetic therapist tells me, imagine my hesitation in what someone who has no idea about OCD will think.

@footballsoccer2019 I totally understand your fear of what they will think. I had that too! Maybe just wait a little longer, get a bit more secure with each other, then you will feel more comfortable to tell her. When your partner knows who you are in the moments where your brain is temporarily OCD free, eventually they will be able to differentiate between the OCD you and the healthy you. This will take time though, but the earlier you start the better. And yea it’s frustrating what some therapists say about relationships. I think it’s from a good place though and sometimes when it’s a really severe case, i do think relationships would cause more harm than good. (To this day when I’m having severe flare ups my boyfriend and I take a break from seeing eachother, we still call, but no physical contact, infact we are currently in a break right now because of a flare up.) But you still deserve love, and you deserve support and OCD should not be allowed the power to destroy your whole life PLUS your love life. And your girlfriend sounds understanding, so that’s a bonus! Just try to keep some separation from her and your healing process though. You don’t want to drag her into the knitty gritty, that is unfortunately something you have to individually go through, but you also want her to be there when you just need a bit of encouragement or to celebrate with you when you make progress!!

That is really good advice, esp not expecting reassurance from them

@abbieliz Excellent feedback, thanks! And good insight about therapists. Hope you get through your flare up. I’ve been there and you have too- it will get better m!

Great video thanks for sending this !