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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How to forget the past?

9 replies

Penguin56 · 07/12/2021 23:27

I should preface this by saying I’ve recently been diagnosed with OCD which may explain my thoughts.

I am really struggling to get over things in the past in my relationship that I cannot get certainty over. I suppose most people would just brush aside any thoughts but I’ve always been astoundingly negative and pessimistic.

To give a random example, 4 years ago, when DH and I started living together in a small flat, one morning I noticed a stain on the bed in his spot. At the time I was thinking “that’s odd, wonder what it is” and I remember where I was stood. I don’t think I was suspicious really because I didn’t do any “checking” behaviours like I always have done. Later, in 2018 I wrote a note to myself that I became worried about this stain because I saw what fake tan looks like on white sheets and it kind of reminded me of that. This note was written months after the event because I’d just thought of the possibility it was suspicious. I am thinking about it again recently after 4 years and this was triggered by a random Instagram advert as a meme for a tanning company about fake tan on white sheets. I will never know what the stain was, or whether it was fake tan (I didn’t use fake tan and It was not an obvious fake tan stain - more what you’d expect on days old tan from sweat rather than fresh tan - I think) I have no reason to believe another woman was in my home. There was about 2-3 hours the day of the stain where DH would have been home (but texting me) and I was on my way home - if I am remembering correctly (if he had been on annual leave I think I’d be suspicious)

Part of the issue is I will never know as I didn’t take any pictures / notes at the time. I don’t remember it well enough, it has just stuck in my mind.

I get these thoughts about random things, most of the time I can get certainty over a thought but sometimes I can’t. This has been the way my brain worked since before my relationship with DH.

However, DH has been caught in the past crossing the line - he was using online chat rooms which I read all the messages on and he came clean (when caught). But the very clear line here was that it was cyber / identity hidden. No physical or emotional side. But I was suspicious for a while and some of my overthinking and uncertain thoughts became certain once I discovered this and helped me to actually find it all out - you know those things that play on your mind? But equally a lot of the thoughts haven’t worked.

I’ve been through therapy. I know I won’t leave DH over any of these thoughts of uncertainty (the example I have given is the only one that could relate to cheating - the others are just more centred around what ifs).

Has anyone else experienced this? How do you just get over things that you’ll never know the full story to? Is it just an issue I’ll never over come?

OP posts:
spotcheck · 07/12/2021 23:30

The stain likely came from your partner's ass.

The anxiety you describe is pretty common ( I think) when you try and ignore past disloyalties

Penguin56 · 07/12/2021 23:33

@spotcheck I have been like this way before the disloyalties and some of the behaviours I exhibited (before I started seeking help) some may argue pushed DH into doing things he did.

But why his bum? It wasn’t brown. It was more a red/brown similar to some fake tans. I know some are more brown/dark.

OP posts:
Penguin56 · 07/12/2021 23:34

An example to explain my mindset. My friend found a woman’s earring in her house. Lots of her friends come over but none of them were owners of the earring. Her DH said he didn’t know where it’s from. She just forgot about it and moved on. I would obsess over it until I got an answer.

OP posts:
Jk24 · 08/12/2021 07:53

I'm the same op and I definitely have self diagnosed OCD and have had since 6 years old. I worry and overthink everything! Do you have DC? Since having ds and getting post natal depression it got worse, so I had to tackle it myself. For around 11 months now I've literally just been forcing things to the back of my mind and when any thoughts arise I do something to keep my mind busy. Even if uts logging onto mumsnet. I'm not fully managing it but definitely getting better

runningwithscissorsx · 08/12/2021 07:58

When you feel that you're getting intrusive thoughts - write them down. Speaking from experience, at those points in time, we can make anything look like anything (to suit the narrative of the sick brain).

If your partner has already 'crossed the line' that will most definitely make you think the worst, but doesn't mean it IS the worst.

Booboo24 · 08/12/2021 08:34

I suffer with diagnosed ocd in the form of obsessive thinking, along with generalised anxiety disorder, my mind is my own worst enemy, constantly seeking to reassure myself (one of the things therapy tries to get you to stop as reassurance seeking fuels the ocd) I commented to say I fully understand how you can ruminate on stuff from years ago and I really struggle with wondering if a sticky thought is actually a gut feeling, then I decide it is which throws me into a panic!! Your mind will have played tricks on you over the stain, I bet it didn't look anything like you now imagine it as your brain will have made it look like what you're fearing. I'm probably not much help but wanted to say you aren't alone and that I hope you can find some help within this thread.

Penguin56 · 08/12/2021 13:01

@Booboo24

I suffer with diagnosed ocd in the form of obsessive thinking, along with generalised anxiety disorder, my mind is my own worst enemy, constantly seeking to reassure myself (one of the things therapy tries to get you to stop as reassurance seeking fuels the ocd) I commented to say I fully understand how you can ruminate on stuff from years ago and I really struggle with wondering if a sticky thought is actually a gut feeling, then I decide it is which throws me into a panic!! Your mind will have played tricks on you over the stain, I bet it didn't look anything like you now imagine it as your brain will have made it look like what you're fearing. I'm probably not much help but wanted to say you aren't alone and that I hope you can find some help within this thread.
thank you I really appreciate this.

All of your comments are so helpful. You are all right.

My therapist said the same, that if I do my reassurance actions I am giving power to the OCD. I then think I need to stop the bad thoughts but I suddenly think - WHAT IF IT'S MY GUT.

I do write everything down, I have now for 3 years whenever something isn't sitting right. The issue is that I use this to then 'check', obviously it calms me but technically it fuels the OCD.

I keep saying 'if the stain was something bad, I will never know. I won't find out. DH isn't going to turn around and say 'by the way I slept with someone else in our bed, I made her stay exactly on my side and her fake tan got on the bed'. I will never know or gain certainty over this thought so I am so unsure what to do.
I am proud I haven't asked DH about it, or mentioned it.

I just wish I had documented it at the time, there was a reason I didn't get all suspicious and angry at the time (as I would have before I learned how to control myself and sought therapy - I could make DH's life hell).

I have suffered OCD behaviours from the age of 5. It has become a firm fixture in my relationships since my first boyfriend abused me.

OP posts:
Neveragain85 · 08/12/2021 17:08

Your post resonates with me. I can't help but wonder though if your anxiety is not the real issue here. If your husband had not done these things & was actually a loving, caring & supportive partner do you think you would feel this anxiety? Could the relationship & the things you have let go be contributing to how you feel?

MMmomDD · 08/12/2021 17:31

I know it’s hard when your mind screams at you and comes up with elaborate scenarios.
But do try simplest explanation first.
Bed, his side, bum area, brownish stain - fake tan and a brief OW visit isn’t the first thing that comes to mind

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