Learning to manage anxiety disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be a challenge, especially if you feel like the people around you don’t really understand your condition. You may struggle to open up and share details about your mental health with others, even with the people closest to you.

Though you may not want to talk about your OCD, your parents need to understand what you’re dealing with. Sharing your struggles can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Your parents can be an essential emotional support system for you, and they can also help you find the right professional resources to support your mental health.

OCD can be intimidating to talk about, but it’s important to communicate with the people who care about you. About 1 in 200 people under the age of 18 have OCD, so if you’re dealing with a new diagnosis, know that you’re not alone. Though your parents may not be able to fully relate to your OCD, there are ways to help them understand what it’s like for you. 

How to talk about your OCD

You may be worried that your parents won’t believe you when you tell them about your OCD or that they may not take you seriously. The best thing you can do is prepare to talk to them ahead of time so that you’re confident in what you need to say. Here are a few steps that may help:

• Determine who to talk to first — Try to start this conversation with whoever you feel the most comfortable with. This may be your dad, your mom, or a trusted relative such as an aunt or grandparent. If you’re able to share first with someone you trust and are comfortable with, the following conversations may be easier.

• Prepare ahead of time — Practicing what you’re going to say can help you be more at ease when it’s time to have that hard conversation. Don’t be afraid to write down important things you want to mention to help guide you through that conversation. Here are a few questions that may help you figure out what you want to say.

• What do you want your parents to know about your OCD?
• What do you hope to gain from this conversation (emotional support, outside counseling, etc.)?
• What points do you want to cover during your conversation?

These questions can help you prepare what you want to say so you don’t forget everything in the heat of the moment. 

• Know your symptoms — When you tell your parents that you have OCD, they will probably have questions for you. Making a list of your main symptoms ahead of time can help you explain to them why you feel the way you do. This can also be good preparation for therapy or other professional support situations. If you’re able to tell your parents how you’re struggling day to day, it may be easier for them to understand what you’re experiencing.

• Encourage questions — It can be scary to open yourself up to questions, but asking questions is a great way for your parents to better understand how your OCD works. Unless they’ve struggled with the same mental health condition, they may not know much about OCD. Answering their questions allows you to have a conversation with them and gives them the opportunity to learn more.

You may need to have multiple conversations with your parents before they truly understand your condition, but the first step is the most important. If you open yourself up to conversations, your parents can learn how to help you better.

Starting the conversation about OCD

Whether you start off with a text or an in-person conversation, you have to get the ball rolling somehow. It can be scary to jump into a tough conversation about your OCD, so here’s one way you can begin:

“I want to tell you about some struggles I’ve been having with my mental health. I think I may have OCD because [insert symptoms you’re experiencing or other reasons you think you may have OCD]. I’m telling you this because I want you to understand what I’ve been dealing with lately.”

You can also mention what you hope telling them will accomplish, for instance:

• You need professional help and want them to help you find a therapist.
• You need more support at home and want them to be informed so they know how to help you.
• You’re managing your symptoms well but want them to be in the loop so they can help you determine if/when you need to seek professional help.

You may not find the perfect words to help your parents understand your OCD better, but having that conversation can open the door for more conversations later on. 

If you’re struggling with OCD, our team at Embrace U is here to help. Our outpatient treatment programs help people ages 10-18 learn how to manage their conditions better. If you’re looking for support for your OCD beyond your regular therapy sessions, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.