OCD? Does this sound like I have it?

[Anonymous]

I am unsure but want to know if I might have OCD. I have always been an anxious person. Here are some things that I do that might seem OCD-ish.

1. Every night before I go to bed, I lock my bedroom door and then check under my bed and in my closet to make sure no one/nothing is in there. I have done this since I was a little kid. Especially the checking under the bed and closet thing. It's not like I actually think there is a monster in there or some kind of murderer. I can't sleep unless I do this. If I leave the room to use the restroom, I have to repeat the same steps.

2. I also have to go to the restroom right before I sleep, even if I don't feel like I physically need to use the restroom. If I don't do this, I can't sleep.

3. I have to have a bottle of water next to my bed. If I don't have it there, I can't sleep.

4. I draw a specific shape while listening in my class. I have to make the shape even around all edges.

5. If a piece of paper is ripped, I have to make sure all the edges are even or rounded. I can't have one end be uneven.

6. When eating food in packaging that comes with serrated edges, I have to rip apart the packaging until all the little edges are separated.

7. I have to carry deodorant all the time because if I don't I will freak out and think that I might possibly stink even when I don't.

8. If someone writes me a letter and the letters aren't connected, I have to go through and connect all of the lettering.


Does this sound like OCD? I am freaked out and I hate people thinking I have it. My friend has said several times that she thinks I have OCD. What is it like to have OCD? Does anyone else have it on here?

[Anonymous]

It does look like you exhibit some symptoms of OCD, namely the compulsive behaviors (doing things you don't necessarily want to do, but feel that you have to do) that stem from anxieties.

Here are some links to information you may find helpful on OCD:
PubMed
NIMH
Mayo Clinic
DSM-5

[Dalmatian]

I had problems with OCD in early teens and although I didn't know what it was I was very aware that it was complicating my life. It took years to get rid of it. When I started making progress about those compulsions that were apparently keeping my family from dying, my grandfather passed away. So it took time.

Ever since, I've been pretty susceptible to OCD, but I learned to act on first signs, so that now when I detect them I just shake them off while I am still in control so to say.

In your situation I would now start working on it because that's no way to live. It is too much of a complication. Specifically, try changing these compulsions by whatever amount you feel acceptible, but keeping in mind that you want to push yourself ever further. If you can't do them all at once, start getting rid of them one by one. As you manage to solve one problem, others will start looking easier.

For example, your first point: you need to lock the doors, ok. If you live alone, try keeping the doors completely open, but locking all the other doors in the house/appartment so that you are still locked in safely, but in a larger space. With time, maybe just the front door will be ok. Closets? For some time, don't even close them. Just keep them wide open all the time. Checking under your bed is a tricky one. Try alternatives to actually looking. Take a ball and throw it under. That way you can be sure there's nothing under there while changing the rules of the game. It is all really about bending the rigid rules until you forget about them.

Or point four, for example. Try drawing a different shape. Try drawing it in the other direction. Try carrying a piece of paper you can use to draw the shape on so that you don't draw anything in the notebook.

What I am trying to say is that all you need to do is change small things so that the big issue starts getting solved. Basically, you are using your intellect to defeat you intellect It's not gonna be easy and it can't be fast. But even small changes can make you feel better.

[Ben]

Be cautious diagnosing yourself. OCD symptoms are often pretty commonly found, lots of people like to have their TV on an even volume, for example. The best way you're going to get the right kind of help is by going to see a medical professional.

[insidehappy]

do not self diagnose yourself and stay off the internet trying to get information on it. all of what you said seems to indicate that you practice "rituals" and if they are not done in the right order, it prevents you from some other form of activity (sleep, concentrating, etc.). you should speak with a trained professional to determine if you have OCD and how it can be minimized so you can function in ways you would like to function. we all have rituals that we do...everyone. so that doesn't make you OCD. OCD occurs when the rituals "take over" and we are unable to do some type of other behavior until we complete them exactly right. remember only trained cousnelors and PHD therpaist can diagnose you with this stuff. its complicated and a few internet pages are not going to be able to do it.

[Chip]

Doesn't sound like clinical OCD to me. There are lots of people who need a lot of structure to their lives and routines, but structure does not equal OCD.

If you're genuinely concerned, I'd go and talk to a therapist and get a proper evaluation. But my guess is it's simply a way of taking control in your life that gives you stability and grounding, and it doesn't sound like it's seriously impacting other parts of your life, so unless there are other things you haven't mentioned, you may not even need to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with many of the above. Fortunately, many of the manifestations of your "OCD" are actually non-obtrusive to your life - i.e. going to the bathroom, locking doors, etc.

I think the DSM requires there to be some sort of hindrance to your function in every day life in several different areas to be "clinical" OCD.

My use of the quotes isn't to belittle - it's more to communicate my dipleasure with labels. You have a tendency to be compulsive. If it rises to a level that it really starts to bug you and impact your day to day life, I'd definitely recommend chatting with a counselor about it. There are tons of cognitive behavioral tips out there to help ease your suffering. Goodluck!

[Anonymous]

I don't see any of the things you mentioned being an immediate harm, but don't let them get any worse, I guess. But i think it's perfectly OK to lock your door and check the closets and below. It probably makes you feel safe, and I approve.