Do I have to tell people I have OCD?
If you have OCD, you don’t have to disclose your condition to anyone, even family members. It’s your experience, your life. But if you have people in your life you trust and know to love and support you, letting them in, even just partially in, can have a positive ripple effect on everyone involved.
What should you not tell someone with OCD?
What Not to Say to Someone With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- “Don’t worry, I’m kind of OCD sometimes, too.”
- “You don’t look like you have OCD.”
- “Want to come over and clean my house?”
- “You’re being irrational.”
- “Why can’t you just stop?”
- “It’s all in your head.”
- “It’s just a quirk/tic. It isn’t serious.”
- “Just relax.”
Can OCD make you think you don’t have OCD?
As we’ve mentioned a few times now, when you become obsessed with the idea that you might not have OCD, it can be just another manifestation of your OCD. When this occurs, think of this as a shift in symptoms. It’s perfectly normal when going through therapy to experience different or fewer symptoms of OCD.
How is it to live with OCD?
Living with OCD is similar to living with other types of chronic illness, like diabetes, asthma or heart disease; it requires courage, support from friends, family, and co-workers, as well as a strong partnership with both medical and psychological primary supports.
How do I tell my parents I have OCD?
Before you talk to your family, make a list of all your OCD symptoms. This will help you clearly express how you know you have OCD. It might help to take a week to jot down all the intrusive thoughts and compulsions that pop up.
Is my OCD my fault?
Know that OCD is a physiological illness just like other illnesses. It’s not your fault that you have OCD. OCD may target what you care about the most, and your obsessions may be related to or triggered by an event in your life. However, OCD has nothing to do with your character and your worth.
What happens if I ignore OCD thoughts?
It can easily become a form of compulsive avoidance, a refusal to acknowledge that the thought occurred in the first place and a refusal to experience feelings as they are. Active “ignoring” can trigger an additional sense of being in denial (and thus more anxiety).
Can I be happy with OCD?
If you have OCD, you can undoubtedly live a normal and productive life. Like any chronic illness, managing your OCD requires a focus on day-to-day coping rather than on an ultimate cure.