I just read a horror story about someone with POCD revealing their thoughts to people and getting shunned and now im getting anxious😭. I had wanted to tell a few of my loved ones about it in a very careful way, but now am not sure if it is a good idea (one works in mental health and another does have severe mental illness). I genuinely wonder if me doing this would be exposure or be compulsive or if it’s a bad idea overall
I had gone through the same thing, I talked to my mother (the person I trust the most) and she helped me a lot! Nervousness is normal because we always imagine the most negative way possible that the person will react. Go for it!
@Anonymous I’m so happy to hear your mother was supportive!
Personally I feel if the person with OCD is of legal age it serves zero purpose discussing it with family or friends. That is just my personal observation over many years .
@777Q why is that?
@777Q if you dont mind me asking
@🌵 Keep in mind this is my only my own personal experience and dealings . It creates more problems the average person lacks the understanding of being helpful with most health issues mental or physical unless it impacts them personally and directly for they themselves.
@777Q ah, so you mean in telling lay-people
@🌵 Yes people in general. I find with medical concerns that are either physical or mental that I have I get guidance from people that are the experts in the particular fields.
I will add something further as a personal example of mine that I just came through I was in the hospital for a medium serious physical issue recently . And this sickness I explained to a few people “close relatives close friends “ with them receiving zero worthwhile help or support from them . So I read and help myself with positive remedies and solutions plus the guidance from the medical staff.
I had also wanted to share my theme with a therapist from Psychologytoday, who “specializes” in OCD but now I’m too scared to do that too because I know even amongst the general therapy world OCD is misunderstood😭
It can really be misunderstood, and unfortunately, the only way to know if your psychologist is trustworthy is talking.
Hey, this is my first time posting… so I am a little nervous. I have OCD, along with Bipolar 1, and Autism (autism was assessed by a therapist and psychiatrist but not an official diagnosis cause of the cost). I used to have my OCD treated with Effexor until it revealed my Bipolar disorder and instead I can only be on low dose Prozac (alongside other meds for bipolar) One of my biggest and oldest OCD symptoms has been a constant need to confess everything hidden about my life to my parents. It started when I was 15. I suddenly would become so stressed about something I did in the past (usually regarding more private topics, stuff no one wants to talk to their parents about). It would be so bad I would struggle to keep food down if I was fighting those thoughts. Although it’s gotten better, it hasn’t left without leaving me completely exposed, and it still pushes me to want to confess my private life to them. I always think “but X or Y was wrong of me to do, or was private” and then I’d feel like NOT confessing was me “lying by omission.” It’s hard to explain it… but I just wondered if anyone had and advice or just messages of solidarity. Thanks to anyone who read this long message, I appreciate it.
Hi all! I have posted about this before and still not sure about what to do. I am struggling with the question of whether or not I should tell my partner (getting married this week) about the fact that I have OCD and my past experiences with it. And if so how? On the one hand, I think it would be good for them to know that I have this issue (to know me better, and basically strengthen our bond), but on the other hand, I am not sure about how they would react to hearing some of the past manifestations of OCD that I suffered with (mainly POCD and other sexual OCD - about 10 years ago now). My OCD today is mostly checking things around the house to make sure everything is safe - a more “plain” and “non-threatening” (to people without OCD) kind of OCD that wouldn’t be too challenging to discuss. I guess I want to share my experience but wondering if it makes sense to if I am going to leave out the more challenging (but also what has been for me the most impactful) stuff out. And of course keeping that stuff in the disclosure would carry risks as well. Looking online for expert opinions on this is a bit inconclusive. Expert opinions range from “don’t do it, it’s reassurance and these thoughts are meaningless and don’t define you”, through “you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to but it can be helpful”, to “you should probably do it, but maybe don’t share everything”. Any thoughts from anyone who has gone through this? Thanks!
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