can't believe my parents :( - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

eyelinerfairy · 05-26-2004, 02:05 PM

im in my late teens, and had my first symptoms of ocd when i was around 6 or 7. then it went very quiet until i was about 14, and for the past 3 or so years my ocd has been here with me all the time.

well i got the courage to tell my parents about it the other night. mistake.

the first 'positive' response was from my mother...'theres nothing wrong with you...you dont wash your hands all the time and your room is a mess. theres no way you have ocd, i knew someone who had it when i was a child. no way do you have it'

tried explaining that it comes in many different forms...but she decided to call my father in so they could both ridicule me (please dont call me meladramatic-that IS what she was doing.)

and then my fathers turn. 'i think youre making it up as you go along'

well that didnt go well

and my parents wonder why i never tell them anything...

sorry just wanted to rant there

take care everyone,
Lis

Alwayz Stressed · 05-26-2004, 03:05 PM

Hey Lis ~

You're not alone here. I am 24 & my Mom still has not accepted my OCD or treatment of it. Although she is a very loving and otherwise supporting Mother, she refuses to acknowledge that there's "something wrong with me."

My Dad on the other hand has been completely supportive of me. Does your Mom have OCD tendencies? I know that my Mom does and because she considers herself normal, then I must be too!

It's tough, but just remember, it's okay to agree to disagree. This is something in your life that you deal with on a daily basis and it's normal for not everyone to understand OCD.

Wish you well ~

auntchilada · 05-26-2004, 09:13 PM

I can't stand how people think OCD means you wash your hands all of the time. It just shows how little they know about OCD. It must be because the hand washing thing is the most publisized.

daftthing · 06-16-2004, 01:48 PM

I know this was probably written a while ago, but I just joined and am reading over past posts. Although I can't relate to what you are saying, I still sympathise with you. The only reason I can't really relate is because I still haven't actually told my parents about my ocd yet. I first started getting symptoms when I was 11, and finally saw a dr when I was 17. I had a few years of CBT, and have been on meds for the past 4 years (I am 21 now) .... they know I suffer with depression and anxiety, but I guess I feel too ashamed about the ocd, so I kinda keep it to myself.

Maybe it is like a defence mechanism for your parents or something. Parents never want to see their child in pain or suffering, so maybe they think that as long as they deny it, it doesn't exist.

Let me know how the situation is for you now. Hope it's better.

Take care xx

scottskitty · 06-16-2004, 02:40 PM

i know how you feel. i have anxiety attacks, allergies, and acid reflux. my dad insists its all in my head and that i don't need meds to take care of it. i know how frustrating it can be, believe me.