I'd been doing a bit better but then deep dived back into compulsion seeking - in my case, as a bisexual in a relationship with a man, it's proving my sexual attraction to men is real and comparing the levels of attraction I have to men vs women, plus reading of bisexuals' experiences online. Why do I do this? I know my attractions and tell myself sexuality is on a spectrum and can be fluid etc, and am in the happiest most loving and sexually fulfilled relationship, argh! My boyfriend also knows about my OCD and is supportive but also gets frustrated because of its illogical nature, ie he gets it's my illness but he's like, why do you need to check when you know. It's so hard knowing how to deal with it with him, and though he has done research and will do more I don't think any non sufferer can truly get it. Advice for partners of sufferers welcome!

Hey there! We chatted for a bit on my post the other day, and I can relate on so many levels! One thing that has helped my partner a lot in his understanding of why it's not so simple to "just know" when you have ocd, is to help educate him more on ocd and it's mechanisms, especially within my theme. So for example finding relevant articles, social media posts or other resources about the soocd obsession that explains the complexity of ocd and how it can warp your perception so much that you don't know how you feel sometimes. It has also helped to just be transparent when I'm struggling and have an open relationship dialog, for example, during intimacy I will be open that I need to take things slow, that intrusive thoughts and compulsions may be rising up but that I am trying my best to be present and appreciate his patience. <3 It's already amazing that you can talk to him about your ocd, that's a great start! It may just take a little more understanding and communication, since a lot of the world doesn't know much about how ocd really works.

I would say that it is important to obviously make it known within the relationship and I sent my partner a podcast episode (can’t remember which) from The OCD stories that she listened to and it cleared it right up for her. When I had days where my compulsions and ocd were more intense, I just let her know and she was supporting and we would take things slow. But I think also with this obsession it’s important to not start with avoidance behaviors. - avoiding sex, intimacy, your partner themselves, etc. Because this can deeply reinforce the obsession and even potentially have an impact on the relationship. A “good day” with OCD is a day where yes you may do compulsions and have a lot of intrusive thoughts, but where you do the things you want to do and would normally do anyways. Show your OCD that you’re going to be in this relationship and be your all into it even with these thoughts and compulsions!