Will they ever understand?

[Hedgehog25]

Hi all,

I’ve been trying to explain to my family what it’s like to have OCD so I can reach out to them if I need to and also so that they might cut me a bit of slack sometimes. But it’s as if they don’t want to know, or very quickly forget what I’ve explained. Do I give up and just carry on as I am, despite the thought that they’ll never really understand me? I find it so upsetting, it makes me feel so different and alone. I find it hard to open up when it’s like starting from the beginning every time I try to talk.

Can anyone relate?

Thank you

[LuvSun]

Yes I can relate to what you are saying. I found it frustrating to try and explain to close family members what I was going through. It’s hard for people who don’t have OCD to understand how the OCD mind works. For my husband I made him read a book that was written for family and loved ones to try and explain it better. After reading it he seemed to understand what I was dealing with better. The book was written by Jon Hershfield titled “When a Family Member has OCD”

[Hedgehog25 in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you for the suggestion

[deValentin]

It's very difficult to understand the powerful grip OCD can have on someone unless you experience it yourself.

I control reasonably well my eating and I have no gambling problems, so, personally, I find it hard to understand someone who lacks self-control in those domains. It's not easy to put yourself in someone else' s shoes and see things from a different perspective.

[Hedgehog25 in reply to deValentin]

That’s an interesting way of looking at it, thank you

[Ctillou]

Oh yes...had it for decades. I understand your plight. Please know people understand you and are here. Ever looked into NOCD? Great organization and support roups. Blessings always