- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
That is so classic OCD. All the doubts and fears. It seems like you have a really nice and stable relationship. And then comes OCD and makes you question everything. I can relate to that! But if you've had it before I can only advise you to do ERP on it. Do it on the thoughts, do it on the feelings. Do it on the idea that hey maybe it might not be ocd (bc ocd likes making us feel like it's not ocd when it is). I've had all the thoughts you mentioned above. That's just part of ocd. You can do this ❤️
I’m commenting on my older post to document how I’m doing a year and a half later/for me to revisit. Relationship OCD is honestly one of the cruelest, so learning to lean into the uncertainty and discomfort of relationships has been a huge game changer. I’m still with my partner and I love him more everyday. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. He’s one of the only people I know who is genuinely caring enough to provide help in the ways I actually need. When I realized I was using his reminders as a compulsion, he worked with me on how to help me by giving me the space I need to confront my responsibilities on my own time. He’s truly patient and kind, I’m so grateful for him in my life. I still have worries “am I doing the right thing? What if it’s not?” so responding to those thoughts with “idk, maybe this is the wrong thing. Oh well” has been helpful. We’re currently talking about getting engaged, and I’m genuinely excited. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but he’s worth building a life with. It has been scary recently, our close friends recently broke up unexpectedly. They were also talking about getting engaged, so I’ve been a little triggered. Something like this could have shut me down a year ago, but I’ve been doing alright. When the OCD says “how do you know that’s not going to happen to you?” I say, “I don’t. Oh well.” Basically, looking back on this old post made me reflect a bit on how we’re doing now, and I’ve been so happy to see the progress in our relationship and my OCD management. It gets better, it’s worth the work. Sometimes when I wonder why I’m doing therapy that makes me so uncomfortable, it’s good to remember that the people I love are worth the work.
I know it’s long but plz read :( have been having really bad ocd about my relationship and my partner and it has gotten worse and worse over the span of like about nine months I’d say. I do acknowledge there are flaws and legit issues about him and the relationship like there are with anyone but I also know ocd has clouded my judgement and perception by analyzing everything and compulsions. For a while I kept feeling this need to get out which I know was ocd. I was really scared to spend the weekend with him because I thought I would just be annoyed and irritated cause it’s been that way for a while but he also was going through a period of high stress so maybe I was resenting him for that and I also wasn’t communicating how I should have been when I was upset because I’ve done that too much in the past. This weekend I was told in therapy to just be in the moment and not have to worry about trying to answer the question of do I love him or should I break up. It did help but It’s weird cause this weekend ended up better but I also was kind of numb? Like I was enjoying myself but didn’t feel what I always have felt in the past? Anyway, I am really anxious because i feel like if I loved him I would be supportive of when his parents compliment him or when he does well at something when instead all I think of are that I’m not happy or annoyed because of things he does that upset me or make me mad and it’s like that’s the only way my brain wants to see him as a person. Or when he is upset it feels like I don’t care like I used to because I think of how he doesn’t deserve this when he does this or he shouldn’t have this when he is like this etc. Why does my brain automatically go there? That’s horrible! I feel like I should be excited for him, rooting for him. But it also feels like I do care for him? But my thoughts keep changing. I am afraid I only am with him because I love that he loves me and how he treats me. This makes me feel selfish cause I can’t do that. I notice I still like when he cuddles me and is sweet to me and does fun things watching movies etc. And that’s not how it used to feeel which scares me because I don’t want to be without him. I also love his parents am I only with him cause of how his parents treat me? I feel so selfish and like I have to tell him and break up with him cause it’s the right thing to do. I never used to feel like this. I’m scared. Is it possible I’m just I’ve been mad and resenting how it’s been cause he’s been stressed mix with my ocd? My therapist said relationships can go through phases. Can I fall back in love with him again? I feel like I have to try to start with someone else like this is too far gone. I don’t want to stay in something where I don’t feel toward him the way I want to but I really don’t want to leave him. I feel like such an awful person cause he doesn’t deserve this and is so caring and loving despite everything the major thing that bugs me is how he gets irritable a lot which is an imperfection that makes me get anxious and question him😭 trying not to read into this and just follow what the therapist said but this is scaring me because I feel like if I loved him I wouldn’t think like this or feel like this.
Everyday I wake up and start searching for reason to breakup with my partner. I feel utterly confused by relationships and dating. Not to mention, I’m autistic and this has always been a huge struggle for me. In fact, it led me to both diagnoses of ASD and OCD. I can see there are some things I am not happy with in my current relationship and I understand that, but when does it become too much? I started having limerence over a random person because my brain just wants an out so fast. I told myself that I wouldn’t until I get proper help (medication, constant erp therapy etc). Every time I think about breaking up I start sobbing and my body vehemently rejects it. Its really confusing and disorienting for me and cant trust a damn thought in me. I’m scared that I’m just taking him along for the ride and potentially will severely fuck him up emotionally because of this. I guess thats where I can feel the OCD. My fear of being a bad person and the people around me being bad people. I dont know if I need advice because I think this may be me searching for a compulsion to do. But I just want to get this out of my system. I have severe Disney-like unrealistic expectations sometimes. I had to maladaptive daydream all the time growing up to get out of my traumatic upbringing and brain (tbh). I still do. I am aware of that and try to put myself into check. I just cant stop comparing my friends own beautiful relationships to my own. Most of them are in the “engagement” stage of their relationships. Even though it’s ridiculous, all of them have worked on it for many years at this point.
This will be my first time venting about this but I have been feeling super anxious towards my boyfriend lately. I’ve just truly discovered the world of OCD and all of the subtypes. I love my boyfriend of 3 years. He’s my person and i know I can see a life with him. Although, i’m suddenly feeling really anxious when i’m around him or even the thought of him. I’m constantly questioning everything about him and our relationship. I have to constantly reassure myself to stay that i love him or that he’s attractive to me and etc! I even have thoughts that maybe he’s not for me when that absolutely kills me. This fear has had be in a choke hold for a couple of days. It’s been especially tough since we just got back from a mini vacation. Idk if i’m nervous about us potentially moving in one day together. I’m trying to tell myself that i’m overthinking bad and i have all these fears because he is my first boyfriend— my first EVERYTHING! Please tell me i’m not the only one that feels this way. I just want to go back to the 1st year where I was obsessed and loved him unconditionally. (which i know i still do know, I just have this annoying thing going on)
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