OCD Action

Eilidh
Member

I'm 17, new here and, as you can probably tell, I've got OCD.
It's nothing too dramatic. Just certain things drive me crazy. I've got to straighten things up and make things cimetrical, some things have to be facing a specific way I avoid numbers like 13 etc etc. The worst bits are the occasional nasty thoughts which I've discovered can be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
But this post isn't really about my OCD. It's about how others see my OCD. Even my close friends and parents seem to think that, because it's not extreme, it's something to laugh about. My mates in a sort of "lets put the colour pens away in the wrong order then show her and not let her fix it, isn't it really funny how she reacts?" way. And my parents in an almost show offy way to other people. They talk about it openly like it's really interesting when all I want to do is forget about it and hope it doesn't get worse. They don't seem to understand how much it gets to me.
I don't want anyone treating me like I'm a complete nutter, always tip-toeing around me. That'd be dreadful. But winding me up like that is quite painful.
The thing is, I'm a bit of a plonker. I'm always the first to crack a joke or take the mick, so people tend not to take me seriously.
I was just wondering if anyone else is in a situation like me?
If so please comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Tue Jun 1 2010 20:29:49 #
Tess
Member

Hi Ellie
I'm sorry to hear you have some OCD traits but it's good news tht you recognise this and you know where to go for help if it starts causing you problems.
As for the attitudes of your family and friends I think the solution lies with you. If you change the way you react to a situation then others will automatically change too. You make light of your need for orderliness and so others will react in a similar way. This is great if it doesn't bother you but if it is really getting to you then you should let them know. If you only feel comfortable when your pens are lined up in colour order then it is cruel for your "friends" to mess them up and to tease you with them. They are probably completely unaware of how much it gets to you and if they did realise they would behave very differently. They are demonstrating their immaturity by doing this to you but also the fact that they like you and you need to take control of the situation and be prepared to ask them to leave your things alone if they are upsetting you. If they are true friends they will accept this. I think you will find that they will be supportive if you just open up your feelings.
As for your parents again I think you need to let them know how you feel and ask them to pay more regard to your personal privacy.
Finally start treating yourself with the respect you deserve and work at building self confidence so you can stand up for yourself because if you do have OCD it will help you through life.
Best of luck.

Wed Jun 2 2010 10:56:19 #
Eilidh
Member

Hey, thanks for replying!
I guess I don't act all that seriously because I don't want people to make a big deal out of it, and I have issues with showing emotions (don't I sound great?) I do things like line pens up and put them in order without realising I'm doing it most of the time. My closest friends can tell how far they can joke around with things like that, but some of my other, newer friends don't really understand it and push it just a little too far.
As for my parents, they worry about minor things enough as it is, so I don't want them thinking that this is another issue. I've lined things up and put them in order ever since I was a toddler so they just think it's normal I suppose, and they talk about it just as they would what clothes I wear or music I listen to.

Anyway, thanks again for the reply. It's nice to talk to someone.

Wed Jun 2 2010 14:16:50 #
Faith
Member

Im just like you, im a joker and always smiling and am very sarcastic. I also find it very hard to show my emotions which some people dont understand but some do and it doesnt make you bad its just how you are. The advice i can give is to tell the people close to you how it hurts you and how you need them to stop joking around and talking about it. I understand some people you dont want to talk to and what i do with people like that is try my hardest to completely ignore what they do (i know its very very hard) so they dont find it amusing anymore. Ive been tormented before and have developed a dont mess with me attitude so people dont do it anymore. I hope my advice helps you hun!

Thu Jul 1 2010 0:19:25 #
Truddles
Member

People don't take me seriously because I tend to act the fool and crack jokes, partly as a defence mechanism. I love to laugh and joke with people even about my OCD. But that's totally different to people laughing and joking about you or your OCD at your expense.

I try when I'm able to say to people that are being insensitive with their humour
"Laugh and joke with me - that's fine but it's unacceptable to exclude me and then in front of me go on to laugh and joke at my expense."

Some people have no manners and don't stop to think how their actions could affect others despite being told that what they are saying or doing is insensitive and hurtful.

Thu Jul 1 2010 11:31:11 #
Eilidh
Member

Thanks Jade. It is hard to ignore it but I'll do my best to try. I might tell some of my closer friends next time a situation arises (it'd be a bit odd if I just said it out of the blue after all!)
Thanks again x

Fri Jul 2 2010 22:10:00 #
Eilidh
Member

Truddles:
I can joke a little about it but sometimes it's just a bit too much.
Thanks for the advice, especially the bit in bold. It's exactly the sort of thing I mean!
x

Fri Jul 2 2010 22:12:19 #
Unregistered

I understand completely but I dunno what I can say to help. Sorry.

Sun Aug 1 2010 21:11:41 #
Meeeex
Member

I have OCD but my family don't really take it seriously calling it ' tip taps' and I feel like i'm trapped with my rituals. I remember once it took me 1 hour to brush my teeth. I have to switch lights on and off until I get that certain feeling. I think my friends have started to notice as it's gotten worse and sometimes I do it without thinking at school and I see people giving me weird looks. Should I tell my friends about my OCD or would that just make it weird? I need peoples help and advice... any advice would be much appreciated thanks!!! x

Sat Sep 4 2010 23:53:43 #
Truddles
Member

It's difficult this one

Personally I think that you need to learn as much about your OCD as you can first, then you're better able to explain to people about your OCD and the reasons why you do it.
CBT will help you to understand your OCD better and once you're comfortable with talking to the professionals and to others with OCD (like members of the forum) it's easier to tell others

I hope this helps

Sun Sep 5 2010 11:26:15 #
jollymollycool
Member

Hi,

I find it difficult even to go into school sometimes, I have a Phobia of Sickness (which has then evolved into OCD). People have fun making me panic because they purposly say " I feel sick" even the words make me panic (yes, I still panic, but I haven't had help to make it better yet.) Until they found out I had OCD, they kept doing it, at one point one member of my family did it. I felt like I knew what was happening, but I couldn't control it (I still do). I do like a laugh at school, and the rest of the time I am really happy, it is just them moments that I feel uncomfortable & I need to geet out or else something bad will happen. So dont worry, we all have our ups and downs. All the best,
Jollymollycool

Sat Nov 13 2010 15:54:17 #
Ella
Member

At school when I am doing and OCD thing, I lost track of whats going on. My motto is- smile like you know whats going on!

Tue Nov 16 2010 22:27:32 #