Do I have OCD?

[Soph_T]

Hi,

Thanks for clicking on this 🙂

I've been seeing a psychologist for a while now and to be quite honest I've been meaning to bring this up for months now but I'm not exactly sure how to approach the topic. I'm not sure if I have OCD or not?

I know many people who have OCD and know what it looks like but, since I don't have any 'compulsive-thoughts' (i.e. something will happen to me or my family if I don't do this, etc.) I'm worried about misreading my own situation.

I've always been a germaphobe and have done things in a loosely routine way since I was young. Regardless, they didn't really start to become intense until a few years ago. To give you an example of some of the things that make me think I might have OCD, here are some things I do:

• I have to use hand sanitiser or wash my hands after I tie up my shoes (this is the biggest issue)
• I can't touch my socks
• I can't touch pet food (containers, the bags they come in or cups) and can't have it anywhere near the kitchen counters where there are plates, foods or drinks either
• I don't generally touch doorknobs
• I use hand sanitiser many many times a day and feel disgusting if I don't
• When I'm out in public, sometimes having my hands on tables at cafes and restaurants makes me nervous
• If I'm writing something on a piece of paper and it's not exactly how I want it then I have to flip the page and keep writing until I get it right (this is something that really makes me think I have OCD because I could accidentally go through 40 pages just rewriting a heading - often I will rewrite something 5-6 times whenever I have to write something down. It's very frustrating!)

If I stop myself from doing these things, then for the germ-related things I will feel disgusting and will think about it for the rest of the day and will feel a tingly/scratchy, TV static feeling in my hands. For the writing, I genuinely don't think I've ever been able to stop it.

If you can then could you please advise me about if this roughly sounds like OCD so I can go in to talk to my psychologist not so completely lost about this.

Thank you,

Soph

[geoff]

Hello Soph_T, and a warm welcome.

Firstly could you take an online test, 'www.psycom.net › do-i-have-ocd-test' or copy and paste this into our search browser 'ocd test online'.

Being an OCD sufferer for many years I can comment on your thread, although I'm not a qualified doctor, however, compulsive thoughts, OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety, that's why you can't touch your socks, and all the other issues you have mentioned are also listed as possibilities related to this illness.

For the writing, 'I genuinely don't think I've ever been able to stop it', and if you try and stop doing any of these, then for the germ-related things I will feel disgusting and will think about it for the rest of the day, definitely indicate OCD, that's what I would be saying if you were my sister/brother or watched your behaviour.

Take the tests if you want, but as I've said, as I have OCD and these thoughts and actions will begin to impact your everyday life.

I asked my psychologist years ago if she knew whether or not she'd noticed any OCD traits, habits, compulsions or obsessions I had just performed, but she couldn't, only because I've learnt to hide them.

If other people are able to see you carry out any of these, it then complicates how you live, so I'd really like to hear back from you.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Petal22]

Hi Soph T,

I had severe OCD but have now recovered from it....

I was obsessing over my thoughts, constantly seeking reassurance, checking things, my anxiety level was very high, I was analysing my thoughts, questioning my thoughts...... I was stuck in a OCD cycle.....

I encouraged you too see a clinical psychologist or phyciatrist for a diagnosis...... I went to an OCD clinic that gave me the tools I needed to break free of my ocd cycle..... it took time and practice but I’m now free of it...

many people have this condition and there is help available for it 😊

here if you want to chat

[geoff]

Hello Soph_T, just curious to see how you're going because in every consent, it's not easy.

Geoff.