- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I've been with my partner for 7 years and didn't start having OCD till early last year. He handles it alright. He has gotten better at understanding what's going on when I am asking the same question often or seeking reassurance from him. So he tries to avoid giving me reassurance when I am in the throws of OCD. He is understanding and incredibly loving. I'm lucky. However, it is hard sometimes. A couple of months this year when things were bad were difficult for both of us, but I think it has brought us closer and more in tune with each other and our needs.
My husband and I have been together for nearly 10 years now. I told him very shortly after we started dating about my struggle with OCD. He has always been supportive but does sometimes need a reminder that it is something I struggle with. Communication is key. You have to communicate how you are feeling otherwise your frustrations and anxiety with yourself can be taken out on your significant other. It doesn’t have to be in depth but I will tell him if I’m having a bad anxiety day or moment and he knows when to give me my space, comfort, support, etc.
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With*
Specifically how can my fiance best support me without offering reassurance? I'm trying to encourage myself to grow and keep trying ERP, but I'm not sure how I can include my partner in a healthy way. I plan on talking to my therapist about it soon, but I wanted to hear thoughts from people who have been dealing with it themselves.
Last night I had a fucked up intrusive thought/urge about harming my partner and I'm spinning out today. I let them know I had an intrusive thought and was struggling with compulsions around it and future repercussions, but did not tell them exactly what the thought/urge was, which they accepted. Do y'all share details with your partners about harm ocd? How can we healthily ask for support from people we are having horrible thoughts about?
Hi everyone, I’m Cayla. I’m a mom that’s lived with OCD since childhood, but my breaking point came more recently after having my son. I was consumed by terrifying thoughts—What if I hurt him? What if I did something awful without realizing it? I was so afraid of my own mind that I couldn’t be alone with him. The shame and exhaustion were unbearable, and I convinced myself I was broken. In 2024, I finally sought help. ERP therapy at NOCD was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it saved my life. Even now, I have tough days, but I know I don’t have to be ruled by OCD. When my 12 year old daughter began showing signs of OCD, I felt overwhelmed with guilt. I never wanted her to go through what I had, but I knew what to do. I told her that I have OCD too and made sure she knew it wasn’t her fault—and that she wasn’t alone. One of the hardest parts of this journey was trusting someone else with my daughter’s OCD. I knew how vulnerable it feels to share intrusive thoughts, and I wanted her to feel safe. Her NOCD therapist was able to establish trust and genuine empathy from the start, and that relationship gave her the confidence to face ERP head-on. Seeing her build that trust made me certain she was in the right hands. ERP has helped both of us reclaim our lives, and it is beautiful to see my daughter managing her condition and making visible progress. Parenting with OCD while raising a child with OCD isn’t talked about enough, but I know so many parents are struggling with these same challenges. If you have questions about managing OCD while parenting, helping your child through ERP, or breaking cycles of guilt, drop them below—I’d love to share what I’ve learned. I’ll be answering all of the questions I receive in real-time today 4-5pm ET.
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