Does OCD equal whinyness?

[mlrock]

This entire school year, I have been forced to be roommates with a guy that I've found to be an anal-retentive and whiny little brat. While I respect that we may have different sensibilities and lifestyles, he certainly can't. In fact, every conversation that he's initiated with me is a complaint about something relatively minor. In order to appease him, I had to constantly keep the window open in the coldest months of the year because "he likes it that way" and use less toilet paper than I need to after doing my business, among other things.

According to mutual friends, he has severe OCD. However, I don't find that to be an excuse to complain about everything. Some of my best friends, past and present, also have it, and they are by no means annoyingly self-centered in the way this guy is. Despite this, I seem to be the only person at school who dislikes him. Does anyone, with or without OCD, feel that my roommate's tendencies are a characteristic symptom of the condition, or is he just a brat?

 

[Arashi222]

It is not an excuse but I think that his coping style is to whine. Some people are just that way. I wouldn't let him dictate how you completely live either. Maybe sit down with a mutual mediator and try to talk to him about your concerns. The only way it will change is if you try to actually have a conversation with him. Bring up the fact that while you understand he has OCD that does not mean that you have to abide by everything he says he has to have and same goes for you. You can't expect him to live by everything you need either. OCD doesn't make you whiny but some people's coping skills can make them whiny. I would consider trying to find a new roommate if this going to continue to be a problem in which neither party can compromise with equality.

Good luck!