Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Outing Myself, Sort Of

I post on several sports related boards. The other day someone posted about washing his hands a lot because so many people are sick right now. And I replied that because I have OCD, hand washing is a bad road for me to start down.

It's the first time I've ever written about my OCD outside of the OCD blog community. Nobody commented on it. I don't know if they didn't notice, didn't care, or didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

I've met most of the people on that board in person, and they mostly live in my town, so there's not the usual anonymity of online. Anyway, whether it's the start of more openness for me, I don't know. But I'm glad I tried it out.

7 comments:

  1. Good for you! It sounds like a comfortable place to start, if you do decide to be more open about the OCD. Whether you do or don't, you know you can be more open if you choose.

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  2. Hey just starting following "officially!" Found you through Tina's blog.

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  3. Hey, good for you, Ann!!! I'm sure it was a little nerve wracking, but every time we talk about it we are taking another whack at the stigma!!

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  4. Thanks for helping to reduce the stigma of OCD, Ann. Just one comment like yours can make a huge difference!

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  5. It is always so hard for me to even contemplate telling someone I have OCD. It is kind of freeing to get it out though. I have never regretted it. Good for you Ann!
    I did tell someone in an email one time and got no response to the ocd part and I kinda wondered why. Maybe from the other side it is awkward and they may not know how to respond..like is, "I'm sorry to hear that" appropriate, they may think? A work associate told me she had to have family medical leave for chemo treatment and I said I was sorry to hear it and she got all snippy and told me to save my sympathy for somebody who needs it. She was always a ornery person but ever since that delightful experience I am guarded for what I say.

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    Replies
    1. yeah, I haven't told many people in the real world, but I think I'll do it more.

      And yes, it's really hard to know what reaction you'll get when sharing health information, or reacting to someone else's!

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