introduction + parent with OCPD

[anon2384723]

Hi everyone!

I'm grateful this community exists. My therapist of multiple years highly suspects my parent has OCPD and I believe it. He would never get mental health treatment and is also actively mentally and physically declining due to alcoholism so I'm trying to accept he is how he is.

I need to be able to deal living with him. We've fought on and off on different things for years and now it is surprisingly little. However I think this is because I've just been isolating in my room to avoid constant criticism about how I cook, do laundry, do the dishes, even move about the house in any way, etc. I know avoiding those things and practicing adult responsibilities is bad and keeps me trapped here and so don't want to live like that anymore. I'm working with my therapist on greywalling and exposure therapy for doing these things anyways despite knowing I will be criticized, and it's going well. But I, like I'm sure many others here am at the end of my rope and need to get out. It is so excruciating to feel like I literally can't breathe or try to cook for even five minutes without it being pointed out every single thing I'm doing wrong.

I also already have OCD, and other mental illnesses (which, unlike my parent I am addressing) which makes it worse. I think the grief that this has been what's been going on combined with the anger is what I'm seeking support and validation on.

Thank you for reading.

[notrightinthehead]

Welcome! You have found a place where people understand. I am glad to read that you have a therapist and real life support. Since you are still living with your PD you might benefit greatly from studying the Toolbox and implementing the strategies described there. I am looking forward to reading more about your journey Out of the FOG.