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Mental illness ruining my ability to date

1 reply

Anon199 · 07/01/2020 18:36

NC for this as I'm unsure of how people will react.

I was diagnosed with OCD as a child and have had intrusive thoughts for years. For about 5 years now this has revolved around comparing the appearance of a potential partner to someone else I know (usually family) and trying to find all similarities until I feel so repulsed I can't date them. This has escalated over the years to point that even something like same hair colour is now enough to trigger me. For example, on dating apps I will find similarities with every person I find attractive to someone I'm related to or would find uncomfortable dating.

I decided not to date for several months to see if that would help and to an extent it has. I've now met someone (totally unexpected) who treats me really well but unfortunately the intrusive thoughts have started again.

Anyone dealt with anything similar? Please please be kind. Any advice at all appreciated.

OP posts:
lexiepuppy · 12/01/2020 01:36

@Anon199

Have you had any counselling for this?

Did you have a dysfunctional/traumatic childhood?

Have you researched Complex PTSD?

Richard Grannon is good for CPTSD on YouTube.

I think you need to get to the bottom of the compulsion to compare and then dismiss potential partners.
🌻

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