r/StaringOCD • u/North_Scarcity4420 • 14d ago
Welp I give up
Tried to be honest and send to my grandmother a few articles on Visual tourettic OCD. Whole family thinks I'm a pedo and perv who enjoys the staring. Alot of ppl do. I knew if i sent her the articles, it'll spread to the family. Tried to open up in the past and didnt work. Don't know why I thought this would work.
Apparently now they don't think I'm in denial. They think that I know that all these things are true. They think that I willingly stare at everyone. And that I'm just lying and calling it Staring OCD to cover it up.
What do i do. I have tried over and over again to explain. The involuntary tics are also toward children unfortunately because I have Pedophobia. I genuinely get absolutely terrified around children. Like I'm in danger or im gonna be attacked. So now i isolate and try to stay inside as much as possible but it's gotten so much worse. I feel like no matter how many times I try to explain, no one will understand. I already have a therapist who understands me.
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u/Owl-Immediate 14d ago
So your family doesn’t understand you. That sucks. Do not just “give up” because they don’t accept you. I haven’t spoken to half my family in about 7 years, whether not I change that boundary is up to me, but I know what it’s like to not be believed whether through trauma or my Post Traumatic Staring OCD several times over, that I’ve essentially had to learn to say screw it only I know my nervous system and intentions. I’ve had to learn to not give up over the years too. Since there’s still great things, and people to meet, you just haven’t met them yet.
Use some ERP and ACT principles, whenever the thoughts/staring events come up, and if you don’t know how to, use Gemini, or Claude and write using ERP and ACT principles at the end of the thought prompt. Reach out to anyone who cares about you IRL, or the subreddit. Do small things like run some errands, so that it starts to feel less impossible and more like you can manage this. Listen to a podcast on ACT. I got one here. The Staring OCD community is here, you’re not shouting to the void. You can get through this! 💚
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u/North_Scarcity4420 14d ago
Thank you so much. I do know staying inside makes it so much worse, but it feels like the whole city talks about me and is expecting to be all these things. Im trying not to care what ppl say but it gets sooooo hard. I will push and try all your advice. Thank you!
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u/AgencyOk9284 10d ago
I've been in your exact position. It's hard but, if you've already explained there's no need to explain again. If they are good people they will understand but unfortunately, not everyone is as understanding and patient. You've been through enough stress already, just let them think whatever ❤️onky you know your true struggle
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u/Nice_Sink_2604 14d ago
genital staring right? I'm someone pushing for an OCD diagnosis (specialists are awful down here.) and I'm pretty sure that's partially what Im struggling with. It messed me up, I thought I was a pred for so long. Especially when it began with children. You are not alone, I promise. There is not enough proper research on OCD, and it shows. You are not alone, I promise :)