To tell or not to tell, that is the question - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Randomness · 02-28-2005, 12:50 PM

So do you tell your friends about your OCD? And how did they react if you did? I'm very hesitated now. I'm afraid that my friends would have prejudice against me if I tell them and I would lose friends. Do you think it’s better for we OCD sufferers to reveal everything to others or keep it all to ourselves?

bbybyrd · 02-28-2005, 01:15 PM

The only people that know about my OCD is my sister, mom, and some friends that I have through group therapy..and of course my therapist. Other then that I choose not to disclose that information to anyone else. Unless it's something that can affect your relationship with others I don't feel that they need to know about it.

worried_mommy · 02-28-2005, 01:15 PM

Honestly only my Hubby and my closest friend know. I don't like the idea of other watching what Im doing to seem if it's a complusion or not lol. Well that's at least how I feel they would be. I'm probably blowing it all out of proportion....possibly do to OCD :P, but I wouldn't really want everyone to know

lachesis · 02-28-2005, 03:42 PM

it's definately difficult to predict how people will react. i think that if they are true friends they will understand and remain supportive and not be judgemental towards you, and that has been my experience with the people that i would consider to be my true friends. however, i was not always so lucky to be surrounded by such people, and when i used to tell people they would tease me about it a lot and not take it seriously (for instance, i'm obsessed with my body feeling symmetrical on either side, so they would poke me on my right arm and crack up when i had to poke myself on my left). some would tell me that i wasn't actually obsessive compulsive since my symtoms were not always obvious, and that i was just pretending to have OCD to be to be cool, which really hurt.

then, there are also instances where people think that it is "cool" to be "disturbed." being obsessive compulsive is a bit of a status symbol. its rather disgusting, because i don't think it is anything to be ashamed of, but nothing to be proud of either. i would suggest you share it with people you trust, because they can help to support you and it will bring you closer together. however, you have no obligation to tell those who will abuse the knowledge and make you feel uncomfortable about it

loopyturtle · 02-28-2005, 09:06 PM

I don't just jump out and tell everyone, but I don't try to hide it, either. I'm pretty up front with stuff like that. My perspective is that I try to reduce the stigma of mental illness by being open and showing people that I'm not a freak. Just freaky and weird in some aspects of my life, I guess. I don't think everyone needs to do that. It's just a personal perspective.

I have had some really positive reactions from some people. Some are really curious. Some have even related what some relatives do that seems like OCD, or experiences that they have had.

--Loopy