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May 2026 Newsletter vol. 5, issue 3
INTRUSIVETHOUGHTS A NEWSLETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY'S OCD CARE TEAM
Hi Friends! Let’s imagine it’s a perfect spring day and you have the idea to host a picnic in the park with friends. The first question is, “Who should I invite?” This is an easy question to some folks, and a perplexing one for others. It begs the question, “who are my friends?” When anxiety or OCD is involved, this question is often accompanied by a slew of worried thoughts and doubts. “What does this friend think about me? Am I in the right friendship with this person? Does this person appreciate me as much as I appreciate them? I haven’t heard from this friend, I hope they are not dead or mad at me!” Friendship can be just as difficult as they are magical. They can be hot, cold, or neutral. Sometimes they need upkeep and maintenance, while other times they don’t. I often think in black-orwhite thinking around friends. I either feel completely appreciated or not at all. I feel like I am either a good friend or a bad friend. I rarely have space for nuance. I compare myself to others and think, “Wow, that person has a lot of friends, it must come so easy to them!” This thought is a trap. Friendship is not easy for anyone. It requires the bravery to let someone down. It requires the fortitude to ask for a need to be met. It means showing up even when you would rather not. And the most terrifying: it means fighting and making up. That all sounds so overwhelming! So, why do people choose to do this friendship thing? Continued on next page