My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Anxiety & Panic Community

Includes Expert Content

My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship..

When I think of someone with OCD, I automatically think of somebody who obsessively...

Posted by emasauraus

When I think of someone with OCD, I automatically think of somebody who obsessively washes their hands, or flickers light switches. That's why I never realized that my boyfriend had it. His OCD causes him to make me repeat almost everything I say. Even when we're alone in a quiet place and I'm looking right at him, I have had to repeat simple words like "yes" and "no" several times. Even the way that he asks me questions appears to me to be a side effect of his OCD. The strange thing is, he didn't do this for the first couple months of our relationship and I am the only person he does it to. He holds full conversations with other people without a problem. He does perform other behaviors that I hadn't even noticed before he pointed them out, like making sure doors are closed severl times and tapping the screen of his phone over and over. He also told me that he has been doing things like that since he was a child.

My boyfriend was in a bad relationship with a person who treated him poorly for over a year before we met. My question is, is it possible that she is the reason behind his strange behavior? He told me that he's really insecure because she always used to lie to him. I'm wondering if maybe those insecurities have crossed over into our relationship and have caused his OCD to worsen.

I should also mention that he has not been diagnosed.. He refuses to see a doctor for many reasons (he doesn't want to be labeled a "crazy person," he thinks it won't help, he thinks it will be a waste of time, etc.) So, I just need to know some things I can do to help him, and myself, dcope with what he's going through. It's so hard to be patient and I try but I get so easily frustrated. I don't want to lose him because of this.. If any doctors can help me understand or offer advice I'd appreciate it. And I'd love to talk in more detail about his symptoms so you could have a better idea about my boyfriend's OCD.View Thread

Posted byemasauraus

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship.. When I think of someone with OCD, I automatically think of somebody who obsessively...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship..

Thanks for your response Leejacq. Another thing my boyfriend will do is, whenever we...

Posted by emasauraus

Thanks for your response Leejacq. Another thing my boyfriend will do is, whenever we have a fight, he has to hear me verbally reassure him that we aren't broken up. I have never once done anything that would lead him to believe that I want to end our relationship but he is so insecure. I think this goes along with what you're talking about. He has to hear himself ask me if we're still together and if I am going to break up with him and then he has to hear me answer. And then he usually makes me repeat myself. This is extremely frustrating because he usually does this when we've both gotten over the issue. He'll ask me these questions after we've been kissing and laughing and acting normal again because he has so much anxiety and worry about me leaving him. And now he's paranoid that I'm not as serious about our relationship as he is. For some reason he's got it in his head that I don't feel as strongly for him as he does for me.. I don't know what to do. I do all I can to show him how much I care and he still has doubts about my feelings. I love him so much and I don't want to end this relationship but it's so hard to deal with sometimes. I am trying my best to try to put myself in his shoes. It has become clear to me, especially recently, that he has serious anxiety issues. I really want him to get help, for both our sakes. But I know that I also need to continue to show him how much I care about him. However, I'm afraid that won't be enough..

It's also frustrating because this was all cause by his former girlfriend and we both have to suffer the consequences. He knows I am nothing like her, but yet he still lets the memory of her create a strain on our relationship. The insecurity he had with her has leaked over into our relationship even though I have never once done anything to hurt him. I so wish he could just forget her because she isn't worth one more second of worry. But I know it's not that simple. I fear that she damaged him permenantly. I only hope I can help him see that there are better people out there.

Sorry to ramble.. But anyway, thanks for sharing your story. It's great to hear from people who are going through something similar to what my boyfriend is going through.View Thread

Posted byemasauraus

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship.. Thanks for your response Leejacq. Another thing my boyfriend will do is, whenever we...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship..

Scott, thank you so much for your insight. Reading your response really opened my eyes...

Posted by emasauraus

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship.. Scott, thank you so much for your insight. Reading your response really opened my eyes...

My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship..

When I think of someone with OCD, I automatically think of somebody who obsessively...

Posted by emasauraus

Posted byemasauraus

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My boyfriend's OCD is ruining our relationship.. When I think of someone with OCD, I automatically think of somebody who obsessively...

See Related Mental Health Communities

See All Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Other Anxiety & Panic Disorders Information

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.