Should a friend know if you have OCD? And if so, how do you tell them?

The reason this has been on my mind is because in history class we are learning about African Kente cloths. Each color represents something. (Quite interesting - research it if you have a chance.) We get to make out own with paper weaving. I chose red which represents suffering and I didn't know whether or not to tell my friend why I chose red.

Before you reply, consider this: People with OCD are the butt of many jokes at my school. Why? I don't know, but it seems like people consider us neat freaks and germophobics. They are sooooo naive.  

(I also sent this to you as a private message, but I figured I would also post my response for others to see as well.)

I actually never told my friends.  It doesn't really come up in conversation.  Some of them just kinda found out when I was on the front page of the Courier.  (In the words of my friend, "I was going to pee and my mom left the newspaper on the floor and BAM I see you staring back at me!")  Some of my friends still don't really know.  I think that if it comes up, you shouldn't be afraid to tell anyone.  Half of them will think you have some immune disease that causes you to wash your hands and never question you again; the rest will just back down and have no clue what you're talking about; one will have a family member with OCD (or have it themselves) and totally understand.  From my experience, your friends just won't care that you have OCD--there's so much more to you than this illness!  Unless it's really impacting your relationships with friends, you really don't need to be pressured to tell.  If you want to tell, don't be afraid to.  If your friends respond negatively, it's THEIR problem, and they're not real friends. 

Oh, and about the jokes- They're no different than when hyper people are called "ADD," moody people are called "bipolar," or hypocrites are called "schizo."  Most intelligent people realize that these stereotypes are different than the actual illnesses.  (I stress "intelligent" because it really depends on who you're talking to.)  Just know that most people who make those jokes have no clue what they're talking about. 

I hope this helps!

~Caitlin

 im actually afraid to tell my friends its hard to say that i have some sort of disease because then they all laugh at me and tell me that im gay or whatever they dont understand me and then i get all depressed and stuff if you think about it then you realize that not telling them is better how can they not be real friends you cant say stuff like that thats just mean why would you say that people who respond negatively are not real friends who are you to say that caitlin what is your problem you have no right to categorize this stuff and the jokes are hurtful and you know it and this sucks and im really sad and everything

maybe it depends on how well you know your friends and how well they know you.  how much you trust them and the other way around.  maybe wait for a time when you both are taking each other really seriously.  wait for that right time ya know. 

 If you can share something like that about yourself with someone it can be very liberating for you and can create a stronger bond with that person.

But I agree with Chris.  IF you want to tell someone and IF you have a friend you can trust (not a person who you have an "on again/off again relationship with) then when the time feels right go ahead and tell them.  But try to choose wisely.

I think Caitlin may have also mentioned this - but another factor to think about is if your OCD is affecting that friendship.  If it is - and IF the friendship is important to you - then you may want to explain what is going on.  And if the person asks if there's anything they can do - hopefully you can find a way for them to be supportive.  Otherwise your relationship might just become more awkward instead of stronger.