If You Prefer Not to “Share”
Of course, you may not care to talk about your OCD with people you spend a lot of time around but do not necessarily feel close to, such as coworkers or roommates. (It probably will make sense, in most cases, to confide in at least one or two people who
Among Friends
The best of these might be finding fellowship among other people who have OCD. Talking about your situation with those who share it can be a great way of developing inner strength, not to mention, feeling less alone. When you join with others who are going through the same thing, you will likely feel understood. There will be no need to explain things. Another benefit of fellowship is the practical advice you may get from people who are very interested in dealing with the same condition.
Where Do You Go?
Many larger communities offer OCD support groups. Here again, the OC Foundation can be an excellent starting point. Its Web site(
Essential
Many OCD support groups meet in the evenings, often at churches or hospitals, sometimes at mental health facilities. If any of these factors is a problem for you, you might want to start your own group. One source of information on how to do that can be found at
Online support groups are not necessarily abundant, but may be worth seeking out, particularly if you can find one that offers a moderator or therapist. If your OCD symptoms or job or schedule prevent you from attending live meetings, you might want to do some searching for an online option, at least for the time being.
There may not be a relevant online group available at the time you happen to be looking. Some groups may be open only to one segment of the population, such as teenagers, to which you do not belong. Other groups may be defunct. However, there is always the possibility of a new one starting.
You Are Not Alone
Not at all! Many celebrities in the worlds of sports, music, and entertainment have, or are believed to have, OCD, along with many in the general population. OCD, it seems, has never been more prominent or better understood than it is right now.
