is it OCD?

Question

i think i might have OCD. recently my hands have gone red with the washing. i have 2 have EVERYTHING at right angles to each other. i get quite alot of joke teasing about the washing at school. i always carry my jumper so that i can open the door with it instead of actually touching the handle. i only get this so bad at school, not at home. y? i also get obsessed really easily, i always had the ones like when i was younger but in the last couple of years. i have had a really bad obsession with one of my teachers. its really like not funny. at the beginning it was like a joke but now all i think about is him at 1st i thought i fancied him, but he's not amazing looking, but he is really sweet. i have also self harmed, somehow i think of these as the same problem, i dont know y. i just think that they are related. am i just overreacting or have i really got a problem?

Answer 1

Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, or OCD for short, is based around obsessive thought patterns and rituals, such as fear of contamination, in conjunction with compulsions to carry out physical rituals, such as excessive washing. The rituals relieve the fear created by the obsessive thoughts. It is perfectly possible, and very common, to have obsessive thoughts without the rituals and it is equally possible to have the compulsive rituals without the thoughts although this is quite rare.

When does a ritual become compulsion? This is quite a difficult one to answer as there is a fine line between habitually doing something, and it not being a problem, to doing the same job but it being obsessive. For example, if you the vacuum the house once a day then you could say that you are "just house proud" even though to some of us that may seem a little excessive - once a week will do for most people. If, however, you find that you vacuum the house and then feel the need to do it again a few hours later as there are a few bits of fluff on the carpets, then it could be that this is becoming an obsession.

A big test would be to not vacuum the carpets one day and see how it makes you feel - were you relieved to have some extra time to yourself or were you worrying excessively because the house looks dirty or that you have not completed your daily chore. Think about it and then decide.

Examples of Obsessions are:

Fear of shameful behaviour

Death & disaster

Contamination

Perverted sexual thoughts

Symmetrical arrangements

Intrusive thoughts & images

Unsatisfactory body image

Examples of Compulsions are:

Cleaning

Washing

Checking

Counting

Measuring

Repeating actions or tasks

Confessing imaginary "sins"

Hoarding

Slowness

The causes of OCD are unclear but there is some evidence that an imbalance of a neurotransmitter in the brain known as serotonin, or a disturbance in serotonin metabolism is associated with the disorder. This has been proved by the fact that many sufferers improve when they take medications that increase brain serotonin levels (e.g. Anafranil, Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil). Further research is still needed in this area.

Like all Anxiety Disorders, OCD can be overcome with self-exposure and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), sometimes in conjunction with anti-depressant drugs. Recovery is usually quite slow but hard work does produce positive rewards and complete recovery can be achieved.

Answer 2

I believe you DO have OCD. Don't pay attention to the ignorant jerks that insult you for having this disorder. You are not crazy. And don't be embarrased of it. It's like having any other illness. OCD is produced by a lack of serotonin in the brain. It's a chemical imbalance that may be genetic or provoked by a traumatic event in your life. The key element to know whether you have OCD or you just have a phatological behavior is the anxiety factor. If you feel very anxious if you don't wash your hands when your obsesion tells you to, then it is OCD. With OCD, you get mental obsessions that produce very much anxiety, such as "my school is contaminated and if I touch door handles something very bad may happen." Then you develop compulsions in your effort to get rid of this obsession, such as washing your hands often. Your OCD makes you reason that this will take away the risk of that bad thing happening. The only thing is that this compulsion hardly ever gets rid of the obsession, it only perpetuates it. Now, also, remember that OCD has a wide variety of symptoms, not all patients present the same obsessions or compulsions.

My question is, why do you self harm? Usually, people with OCD don't act out their obsessions. For example, some people develop violent obsessions, or actually the fear of behaving violently. But this doesn't really happen, they do not behave violently. Although they may live terrified with this obsession. OCD actually tends to tell you things that you would never do.

Now, I don't really know if everything that you're experiencing is OCD. You may just have a big big crush on your teacher. The self-harming thing is more of a depression symptom. Are you depressed? OCD and clinical depression can be very related. You may get depressed because of your OCD or viceversa.

I would suggest you go see a doctor to help you determine more specifically what your problems are. You DO have a problem and you need to treat it. But don't freak out. You wouldn't believe how many people struggle with OCD and depression. Therapy is the way to success here.

Now, if you don't have health insurance it can be extremely expensive. One way to start working on it would be to buy a book that would help you do some self-therapy. Medication is very helpful, but it doesn't cure it. Think of medication as a floating pad to learn to swim. It's very very helpful, especailly when dealing with anxiety, making your therapy easier, but it's not completely indispensable.

I would recommend this book to you:
The Ocd Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-compulsive Disorder by Bruce M., Ph.D. Hyman and Cherry Pedrick

There are many other good books that may just help you very much. Go to Amazon.com and read the customer reviews, then buy a couple of books. Treating your disorder should be a priority right now, because if you don't it may just get worse.

Finally, remember that many people don't understand this disorder. So don't try to explain it to everyone. If you can find one compassionate person that you can trust, and who won't be judgemental, that's wonderful. It will help you very much.

May God bless you and help you triumph over OCD!

Answer 3

This does sound like OCD. You need to get help from your GP. There is a book called The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing His Hands. Read it and then get some help.

Answer 4

I have OCD, not bad but I do, I am not a doctor so I can't diagnose, but I would say yes to the OCD. I don't know what the other would be called but I would talk to a doctor. Please, you should not be self-harming .It could be beginning signs of something that may get worse.Talk to a doc and maybe you can controll whatever it is.Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 5

Sounds very much like OCD. The other things you mentioned sound like insecurity. Talking about it would help, and it doesn't have to be to a psychiatrist. You have to look at the why, why do you do these things, and then change the why, or stop the why. Try telling yourself that others do not wash their hands so much, and they are ok, so you will be too.

Answer 6

The hand washing sounds like OCD to me and it's wonderful that you are open to the possibility, as many patients are in denial. Ask your GP to refer you for specialist help before things get worse. Left untreated and allowed to deteriorate, OCD can have terrible consequences not just for you but for those around you.

Answer 7

You should see a doctor about your behaviour, or find a walk-in counselling center.
I hope that you find the help you are seeking soon.
I know that it's not easy, but you can get through this.
Good luck.

Answer 8

since you are of school age, talk to you parents. if you are not comfortable doing this, talk with a councelor or nurse at school. they will talk with your parents on your behalf with you present. OCD is a serious disorder and medical attention is necessary.

Answer 9

lol thats a dificult question however i dont think you will find the answer on Yahoo ask your self before others good luck

Answer 10

you should speak to your gp, because you do have a problem and it may get worse if you don't get help