[e_sort]

All this time my husband and i have hardly talked at all about my OCD symptoms. It's not that he doesn't care or doesn't want to listen, but he doesn't want to upset me by asking I guess. Last night we were talking a little and he said he wished I would talk more about it so he could know what's going on with me and not be insulated from my issues.

But I'm really reluctant to talk about it. I worry that he won't understand that just because I think these thoughts it doesn't mean I'm endorsing them in some way, or that I would ever do some of the things I think or allow them to happen. And also I'm aware that the compulsive symptoms seem really nutty, like repeating conversations to myself.

And I feel like no matter how often I say "I would never do X, it's a totally irrational OCD thought" he might not believe me or might think I'm some kind of monster for even thinking it. He's a sensitive person.

I'd like to hear anyone's experiences talking with others about your symptoms.

[gimmeice]

((((((((((((( e_sort )))))))))))))

I share some of the details of my ocd symptoms with my husband but not a lot, because I also don't want him to worry about it really. The stuff I have shared he just really seemed to not understand where I was coming from, as he doesn't have those kind of issues he cannot relate. My T seems to think that I should share more about all of my issues that I am dealing with but I am just not ready to let my hubby inside my brain yet and I am not sure that I will ever get there.
I guess if my hubby really wanted to know which he doesn't seem to, then I would probably share more.

[philbee]

Originally Posted by e_sort

All this time my husband and i have hardly talked at all about my OCD symptoms. It's not that he doesn't care or doesn't want to listen, but he doesn't want to upset me by asking I guess. Last night we were talking a little and he said he wished I would talk more about it so he could know what's going on with me and not be insulated from my issues.

But I'm really reluctant to talk about it. I worry that he won't understand that just because I think these thoughts it doesn't mean I'm endorsing them in some way, or that I would ever do some of the things I think or allow them to happen. And also I'm aware that the compulsive symptoms seem really nutty, like repeating conversations to myself.

And I feel like no matter how often I say "I would never do X, it's a totally irrational OCD thought" he might not believe me or might think I'm some kind of monster for even thinking it. He's a sensitive person.

I'd like to hear anyone's experiences talking with others about your symptoms.

i find in general, people who don't know me don't want to hear about OCD. my obsessions and compulsions tend to drive people around me crazy! i usually try to keep it confined to my mental health support worker, case manager, and psychiatrist. when i have not done so (particularly online), it has never failed to make my symptoms worse!

i personally would be very careful discussing your OCD with people you don't know or who don't want to hear about it.

[e_sort]

Originally Posted by philbee

i personally would be very careful discussing your OCD with people you don't know or who don't want to hear about it.

you're right. yet i'm always tempted. partly i think it's objectively interesting and i think other people will be interested. or it would make me interesting. but honestly you're right. the only good that can come of it is, what, attention for me? and there's such a thing as bad attention.

[philbee]

Originally Posted by e_sort

you're right. yet i'm always tempted. partly i think it's objectively interesting and i think other people will be interested. or it would make me interesting. but honestly you're right. the only good that can come of it is, what, attention for me? and there's such a thing as bad attention.

i agree with you, it is very tempting, especially when you are at the "height" of an obsession or compulsion, and it is occupying your mind tremendously. i find that more than likely, no one really wants to hear my tales of my latest obsession or compulsion. i'f i'm lucky, they will say "phil, you're obsessing!" if not, they'll yell at me.

so i do my utmost to keep it reserved only for trained professionals. you are absolutely spot on e_sort, there is indeed such a thing as "bad" attention.

actually, as an addendum to this, i find the majority of people don't want to hear anything about any mental illness! ESPECIALLY on some online forums i have been a member of that were not mental health related. i find when i start talking about my symptoms too much on a non-mental health related forum, i am asking for trouble. BIG TROUBLE if i don't catch it in time.