When it comes to whether, what, and how much to share with others about your OC behaviors, you have an almost unlimited number of choices. Certain people (a partner, close friends, family members) may have to know about your condition, but other people in your life will present you with a decision to make. Here are some options for those relationships:

• Don't say anything. Other people will not notice, figure you're a little weird, or recognize that you probably have OCD (not the worst thing in the world).

• Simply say, “I have a thing about that.” Whatever “that” happens to be — shaking hands, taking off your shoes, trying on clothing in a store dressing room, and so forth — we are all allowed some kind of “thing” that bothers us or that we cannot do. In all probability, no one would think twice about it after hearing this.

• Refer to your situation in a slightly euphemistic (but entirely truthful) way. For example: “I have an anxiety disorder.” One plus is, it's vague. While people may automatically associate OCD with excessive hand washing, compulsive cleaning, sidewalk crack counting, or other stereotypical behaviors, it's less likely that the words “anxiety disorder” will conjure such images. Anxiety disorders are also by far the largest class of mental disorder, so many people can relate.

• Be direct and say, “I have OCD.” This may not be the way to go with utter strangers (on the other hand, why not!) but you can use it as a jumping-off point to educate your friends, family members, or acquaintances. They may have questions, which you can use to help dispel the myths surrounding OCD and let others know what it is really like to live with the condition.

How you handle these situations is up to you. Just remember: once you tell someone, you can't “untell” that person, or keep him from mentioning your news to other people. Be sure this information is something you are ready and willing to share. As in many situations, there are several possible paths.

For instance, you might decide to share with only your closest friends or a partner. Way over on the other end of the spectrum, you may feel as if it's not a secret worth keeping. OCD, after all, is no big deal. Maybe you would prefer to tell your boss, your coworkers, your kids, your parents, your gardener, and the 200 regular readers of your blog. The right answer, of course, is, whatever you think will work for you.

If You're in School

If your schoolwork is suffering because of your OC symptoms, it would make sense in most cases to let your teachers or academic advisers know that you have OCD. You may also want to talk with your parents about what's going on (particularly if they're helping to pay for your education).

You might want to tell your roommates, if your relationship is generally good and you think your behavior needs explanation, or if you simply need some support. Take into account, however, whether your roommate or roommates are likely to gossip and, if so, whether this would bother you.

Health Care Providers

When it comes to health care providers, depending on your particular obsessions and compulsions, it may be necessary to speak up. (You'll read more about this later in the book.) Of course, if you are on medication for your OC symptoms, you will need to let your regular physician know, if she doesn't already. That information should absolutely not be kept a secret. If you have cleanliness or contamination concerns, you will probably need to explain to your doctor and dentist not to take personally your requests that they wash their hands, and so on.

Others in Your World

There may be other people worth discussing your situation with briefly. These may include any of the service professionals with whom you interact in the course of a year: your barber, for instance, or your mechanic, letter carrier, librarian. But this applies only if your symptoms affect your interactions with them, or if your relationship is particularly friendly.

If you have “issues” related to your dealings with any of these people, chances are they're already obvious. It may (or may not) be helpful to offer a few words of explanation. There's probably no need to go into a lot of detail, unless you want to. A brief mention may be just fine.