Hello,
I would like to have some advice on my situation if that is ok. I have recently been diagnosed with OCD at 23 (female) but I have had it since I was 18. I am now on the waiting list for high intensity CBT, which I am feeling positive about. My OCD is based around doubting and checking.
I have a partner who is as supportive as he can be, but he struggles to understand on times as he is completely opposite to me, very relaxed etc.
I spoke to my mother about it for the first time today and explained what my tendencies are for checking, I was hoping she would then understand more. However I was really surprised when she said she knew I'd had issues with checking for years. For instance she noticed I repeatedly checked my contraceptive pill (whether I had taken it and doubting myself etc). Then when I told her that I check what I've written over and over again for example, she just snorted and made a face as if to say 'that's weird'. I know it's not her fault but I can't help but feel very disappointed in her reaction and that she didn't advise me to seek help when she could visibly see I was struggling at 18 (at that point I didn't know what was happening to me, I now realise it was OCD symptoms).
I am just wondering should I even bother trying to keep explaining OCD to her or should I just leave it? Because whilst I would like family support, she was saying things like 'but it's important to check things to make sure you get it right' so I'm a little worried about it hindering my progress. I don't know if there's any advice any of you can give me on how to explain these things to family members.
I just feel v embarrassed right now but after opening up to a friend who has similar tendencies, I felt a lot better so I was hoping to do the same with family.
Thanks in advance