How do I deal with a partner that has OCD about poop?
Hello.
My partner of 2 years has a lot of intrusive thoughts about pooping her pants. I won’t get into detail because that’s her story to tell of course but it gets to the point where she takes anti diarrhea medication frequently, especially when we’re doing longer excursions and this is having an effect on her health with the side effects that one can assume comes with taking too much anti diarrhea medication when you don’t have diarrhea.
I’ve tried everything, telling her that it would be fine if she poops her pants and that I’d get her new clothes and what not. I’ve also tried being logical with her and telling her that she’s a totally healthy young person that has never in her life had an issue with any form of uncontrollable diarrhea. Honestly her being so scared of pooping her pants sometimes gets in the way of our lives because she always needs to be somewhere where there’s a nice toilet nearby (no hikes or adventurous trips). But what I am most worried about is her literally harming herself and causing real life damage to her guts due to a fear of something that she has never experienced.
Is there any way I can help her? And is this a normal intrusive thought?