Research has suggested that individuals with OCD report several reasons for concealing their obsessions. These reasons include: (1) that revealing their obsessions will increase the probability that their fears will happen, (2) that others will use their obsessions as evidence against them, (3) that people will think they are crazy, and (4) that it wll lead to shame and embarrassment (Newth & Rachman, 2001). Thus, it is possible that the reluctance of individuals with OCD to self-disclose information about their obsessions wiII generalize to other personal information, making self-disclosure in romantic relationships less likely.

Dear Diary,

Rachel was walking down the corridor singing Firework. I heard her sing, 'there's a spark in you, you just have to ignite the light and let it shine…' I like to think Carl had ignited a spark in me. Now I just have to 'own the night'.

Dear Diary,

Valentines day.

Twenty-four long stemmed red roses arrived for me today at school. Carl is very romantic. He cooked me a Japanese inspired dinner and we ate by candlelight. I was admiring his sparkling teeth when he said, 'Come on, dessert is in the bedroom.' He knows I can't have food in the bedroom. He started kissing me but I just kept thinking of Finn's kissing booth and how he'd spread mono all over the school. The more I tried to push the thought away, the stronger it got. I pushed Carl away. I said I didn't feel well. I had a long shower, made sure my shoes were all lined up 10cm apart and reorganized my wardrobe. I saw my black cardigan. Will did return it to me. He had it dry cleaned and wrapped in plastic for me. I looked at my Spencer Patent-Trimmed Crackle-Metallic Mary Janes. Why was I always leaving parts of me with Will? I put on my purple nightdress and suggested to Carl we watch a romantic movie. We sat up in our king size bed, side by side and watched one of my favourite Doris Day movies: Pillow Talk.