Has anyone else had trouble telling people about their OCD? I would like to help break the stigma about mental health and be a part of the change. But it is such an exhausting thing to even think about. Not only would it be difficult to tell people (even people I trust), but it would be even more difficult to have to explain to people what OCD really is (not just the stereotypes they have seen on TV). On top of that I keep thinking how do I even begin to explain the subtypes that I have experienced? I suppose I don't have to, but it helps to give some real depth for them to sink their teeth into; to really understand the difference between OCPD and OCD. I keep thinking if I can get through ERP (which I have recently done), then I can certainly share my disorder with others (well I cant be 100% certain...see what I did there?). I know I don't have to tell others about my OCD and I respect people who want to keep it private. I have for years. I just think that I would like to be confident, own it, and help others who are still figuring out about their own mental health struggles. I know many of my family and friends will be surprised to hear that I have OCD. So if you have any suggestions or anecdotes you would be willing to share that would be great. Thanks!

I go about it as, “I tend to get in my head a lot about things like you know when you had a conversation with someone and really weren’t sure how it went? Or you question if you’re in the right ____ job, relationship, etc. and you’re really unsure? It’s like that but my mind tends to obsess about it, and it’s hard to let it go. It really makes me question and overthink things that are important to me.” Think of some of those OCD type fears that a lot of people can relate to. People have some of the same questionings and fears but not to a disabiling extent. It’ll never be easy to explain, but try to break it down into bits they can understand. They’ll never be able to fully empathize but at least they’ll have something to relate it to. Good luck 💞

Proud that you’re looking to be an advocate and help pave the way for others who may struggle with OCD 🌻

Sometimes a think about It to, i live in Brazil and when i want surch for deep informativo about ocd i have to search in english. A feel that people dont really now what is the real ocd, that IS even more that they think about It. May you can create a YouTube Chanel pra something like this. People have to now more about OCD!

Sometimes I just say, “Yeah I actually have really bad OCD. This event is hard right now because _____. It’s super annoying.” They’ll just nod and be understanding I find.

For me it's more the opposite. I'm a very open person and I tend to over share things or over communicate my feelings with everyone, so for me sharing my ocd experience can almost become a compulsion. But every response was very positive/they were very understanding and compassionate but also said they couldn't relate. Most of my friends have seen my distress that I went through so they couldn't kinda tell smt was wrong. But if I tell people that didn't see me in that state I just tell them I have ocd and it's hard and I'm in therpay for it. And sometimes if I want to go deeper I tell them how I felt when I was at my worst and that i had these fears that made me depressed and I cried all the time etc. I more despribe how I felt than anyhting. But I guess that's just me 😊 I found so far that people are very understanding of it