Do I have OCD? (serious answers only please)?

Question

I constantly count in my head...I have done it since I can remember. I count how many stairs I walk, how many speed limit signs. How many rows of this or that. If I can't find anything to count I count to 50 but if I think someone might be getting ready to talk to me I stop at 25. My boyfriend started noticing cuz he wants to talk to me and i tell him just a second cuz i HAVE to finish counting, he asks what I am doing and I just tell him i was thinking about something...Do I have OCD? If not what is it that makes me do this?

Answer 1

Yes, you have it. I have it when i clean.

There is a link to webmd on ocd. it will explain everything but the cause of ocd, they still don't know.

Mental Health:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a type of anxiety disorder, is a potentially disabling illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. People with OCD are plagued by recurring and distressing thoughts, fears or images (obsessions) that they cannot control. The anxiety (nervousness) produced by these thoughts leads to an urgent need to perform certain rituals or routines (compulsions). The compulsive rituals are performed in an attempt to prevent the obsessive thoughts or make them go away.

Although the ritual may make the anxiety go away temporarily, the person must perform the ritual again when the obsessive thoughts return. This OCD cycle can progress to the point of taking up hours of the person's day and significantly interfering with normal activities. People with OCD may be aware that their obsessions and compulsions are senseless or unrealistic, but they cannot stop themselves.

What Are the Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

The symptoms of OCD, which are the obsessions and compulsions, may vary. Common obsessions include:

Fear of dirt or contamination by germs.
Fear of causing harm to another.
Fear of making a mistake.
Fear of being embarrassed or behaving in a socially unacceptable manner.
Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts.
Need for order, symmetry or exactness.
Excessive doubt and the need for constant reassurance.


Common compulsions include:

Repeatedly bathing, showering or washing hands.
Refusing to shake hands or touch doorknobs.
Repeatedly checking things, such as locks or stoves.
Constant counting, mentally or aloud, while performing routine tasks.
Constantly arranging things in a certain way.
Eating foods in a specific order.
Being stuck on words, images or thoughts, usually disturbing, that won't go away and can interfere with sleep.
Repeating specific words, phrases or prayers.
Needing to perform tasks a certain number of times.
Collecting or hoarding items with no apparent value.


What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Although the exact cause of OCD is not fully understood, studies have shown that a combination of biological and environmental factors may be involved.

Biological Factors: The brain is a very complex structure. It contains billions of nerve cells -- called neurons -- that must communicate and work together for the body to function normally. The neurons communicate via electrical signals. Special chemicals, called neurotransmitters, help move these electrical messages from neuron to neuron. Research has found a link between low levels of one neurotransmitter -- called serotonin -- and the development of OCD. In addition, there is evidence that a serotonin imbalance may be passed on from parents to children. This means the tendency to develop OCD may be inherited.

In addition, certain areas of the brain appear to be affected by the serotonin imbalance that leads to OCD. This problem seems to involve the pathways of the brain that link the area of the brain that deals with judgment and planning, and the area of the brain that filters messages involving body movements.

Studies also have found a link between a certain type of infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria and OCD. This infection, if recurrent and untreated, may lead to the development of OCD and other disorders in children.

Environmental Factors: There are environmental stressors that can trigger OCD in people with a tendency toward developing the condition. Certain environmental factors may also cause a worsening of symptoms. These factors include:

Abuse
Changes in living situation
Illness
Death of a loved one
Work- or school-related changes or problems
Relationship concerns

Answer 2

The cumpulsion to finish the counting is a definite sign of OCD. Do you feel that something bad will happen if you dont finish counting or you will be forunate if you do it?

So lets define OCD...
Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):

1. recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress

2. the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

3. the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action

4. the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):

1. repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

2. the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive

At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. Note: This does not apply to children.

The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.

If the individual has an additional disorder, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it.

The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

You may find that cognitive therapy with a psycologist may help if you dont want to be treated with drugs.Most sufferers find that a combination of pharmacotherapy and cognitive therapy work the best.

OCD is real and can be paralysing to your life. good luck. Please speak to your GP about referals to specialists.

Answer 3

You know the saying everyone is a little crazy? Well, its true. So you count things. Does it really interfer with your ability to care for yourself or function in your environment? If the answer is no, then it is not technically anything that is a mental illness. You have a part of your brain (the name of it is escaping me right now) that is called the obsession center. When the chemicals in this area get out of whack, your brain starts sending the same message over and over again, causing the obession over things like counting, handwashing, and eating. In hard core OCD the person knows that these behaviors aren't normal and that they don't HAVE to do them to survive but there is a part of them that insists they engage in the rituals or something bad may happen. There are techniques you can use to stop the need to count, like thinking about something else such as colors or textures or flavors. Medications like Zoloft are commly prescribed and seem to work just fine in controlling this.

Answer 4

It is likely that you have obsessive compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD. This results mostly out of a marked decrease in the serotinin levels. It is necessary to consult a psychiatrist to know whether you require a medical treatment or just cognitive therapy or both. In any case, modern drugs like citalopram have been able to cure this in a permanent footing.
In case you have further queries, please log on to www.ocdfoundation.org which is a dependable website, the experts will answer with clarity, whether you need medication or not.
God Bless You.

Answer 5

i think it sounds like u could have a some ocd that is a sign that u r counting everything .if i was u i would make a appt with your family doctor they can get u on medication that can help with that good luck to ya

Answer 6

Don't worry. You may have a mild case of OCD but as long as it doesn't interfere with your daily life you have nothing to worry about. If however it prevents you from doing stuff or makes you worry to much there are medications that treat OCD and they are very good and harmless. Everyone has a quirk, this may be yours. Take care of yourself.

Answer 7

Probably yes, but don't worry many of us have some level of OCD.

With some it is numerical, you find some comfort in the numbers. Me, I find comfort in everything being in the right place. We may drive our mates a bit crazy, but we are still fully functional human beings.

There is still SO MUCH we do not understand about the human brain.

Think about your parents and their behavior. I know I got OCD from my Dad.

Personally I think this is like autism light.

Answer 8

It does sound like you are displaying some signs of obsessive/compulsive behaviour. Do you feel that it is affecting your life or causing problems for you? If it gests to the point where it interferes with your day to day activities, it then becomes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If this is the case, you should speak to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist. Typical treatment for this disorder are SSRI's (anti-depressants) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. HTH : )

Answer 9

Yes without a doubt that is a sign of OCD.

talk to a doctor or therapist about this. often times OCD can be cured without prescription drugs.

Answer 10

Sure sounds like OCD. You have a very strong compulsion to count things, and are not sure why it's so important to you. My brother has it, and feels compelled to clean his house; keeps it painfully spotless. He started taking some medication, and it helps him to relax and not worry about it.