hello

[Recklesslove]

hi,

I have had undiagnosed OCD since around age 3 gradually got worse over the years. My family don’t know, most of my friends aren’t aware. Thought I was the only one like this until around age 24 when I met someone else with similar but different form. Although very sociable person this OCD is very isolating and exhausting. I need to go get job after having a few years off for having a family but not sure whether to mention it or not. I’m afraid I’ve never opened up about this publically before it’s all very new to me but would like to meet like minded people who I can converse with about daily struggles (stupid struggles) and laugh about them together. there’s no treatment for OCD there’s not a soul who could convince me so please don’t try I’m not here for that. Thank you for reading

[TrueBlue23]

This site has been a revelation to me as it gives me a safe space to talk about my struggles and not be worried about being judged. I've had a lot of good advice and support on here so I'm glad you've found it and hope it helps!I've also found various books and online articles out there that can help, so just remember you're not on your own and you can learn to live with this.

Wishing you all the best on your journey!

[Natureloverpeace]

Welcome to My OCD Community! You are not alone in dealing with OCD. Another good source of support is OCD Stories podcast. The host for it is also from the UK. It’s available through podcast apps, YouTube, Spotify and its website.

[deValentin]

You found the right place to share daily struggles with OCD and sometimes laugh about them (though, at other times, they may make you want to cry, hit yourself, or lose hope). I also believe that a good sense of humour is a great asset in maintaining one's mental health in the face of adversity.

If you don't mind, let me share what I felt about what you stated, "There’s no treatment for OCD there’s not a soul who could convince me so please don’t try I’m not here for that". I once read a story about a Dutch woman whose daughter disappeared in Uganda. The police there gave up trying to solve what seems to be a criminal case after a while because of a lack of evidence. Not the mother. She keeps returning to that country to conduct her own search despite all odds.

When I struggled with OCD, I felt a similar desperate urge to solve the problem even if for a long time I wasn't getting any results. I couldn't give up. Too much was at stake. I couldn't function in life. The search for answers had become an obsession on its own.

It’s when I understood that in order to feel better two things were necessary. First, I had to try to perform the normal tasks of life: make a living, mow the lawn, take the garbage out, etc. Second, I had to try, as far as possible, not to let my efforts to feel better become an obsession. It was okay if there were no effective treatment for OCD. I wasn’t responsible for that. My only responsibility was to do my best given the knowledge, and personal and social resources available at the time.

So, I understand your desire to minimize or relativize the search for a treatment for OCD.

[80_Zil_ian]

Hi, welcome. This is a place where you can talk about your struggles without fear of being judged — because we all have our own struggles.

It took me a while to discover that what I had was OCD. I had felt it my whole life, but it was manageable — until I lost control of it during a crisis. There wasn’t much information available back then, and the first four doctors, despite asking questions that clearly pointed to OCD, never medicated me properly or even helped bring clarity or awareness to the situation.

So, that time I did the opposite of what you’d expect — I started talking about what was happening. Even though I got support from my parents and my girlfriend (now my wife), it was a mistake to involve friends and other relatives, or let them know too much. I learned the hard way why OCD is called a silent struggle. Only people who truly love you or are deeply committed to you will try to understand (and they do it out of love and trust, not because they actually understand your condition). Friends — the ones who are only around because they enjoy your company — will leave as soon as they see it’s affecting you and changing who you are. And that’s okay. That’s just how humans are.

So, from what you’ve described, in my opinion, you’re doing the best you can — handling your problem while involving as few people as possible. But try, if possible, to have at least one or two people you deeply trust to support you when needed. In my case, my late mother and my wife (who was my girlfriend at the time) were crucial in helping me through it.

This is how I see it when it comes to your circle of people: for those who can help — ask for help. For those who can’t, keep them around like they keep you — someone who’s nice to be around in good moments, but not someone you rely on.