Anyone else have obsessive compulsive disorder?

Question

I have it, I wash my hands like 50 times a day. I hate it so much and I try not to wash so much but it's all most impossible, because I can never get it out of my mind.

Answer 1

I have it bad..i have it when i clean.. i'm constantly washing my hands. I scrub the bathroom tiles inbetween with a toothbrush because my husband is a mechanic.. can we say grease.. ugh. I have to vaccuum my rug everyday and i'm constantly cleaning, which is really bad because i have excema so i'm constantly cleaning my hands and using lotion etc.

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


How Common Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

OCD afflicts about 3.3 million adults and about 1 million children and adolescents in the U.S. The disorder usually first appears in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. It occurs about equally in men and women and affects people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds.

How Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnosed?

There is no laboratory test to diagnose OCD. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on an assessment of the patient's symptoms, including how much time the person spends performing his or her ritual behaviors.

How Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treated?

OCD will not go away by itself, so it is important to seek treatment. The most effective approach to treating OCD combines medications with cognitive-behavior therapy.

Cognitive-behavior therapy: The goal of cognitive-behavior therapy is to teach people with OCD to confront their fears and reduce anxiety without performing the ritual behaviors. It also focuses on reducing the exaggerated or catastrophic thinking that often occurs in people with OCD.
Medication therapy: Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Anafranil, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft may be helpful in treating OCD.


In severe cases of OCD and in people who do not respond to medical and behavioral therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or surgery may be used to treat OCD. During ECT, electrodes are attached to the patient's head, and a series of electric shocks are delivered to the brain, which induce seizures. The seizures cause the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

A surgical procedure called bilateral cingulotomy interrupts the pathway of the brain involved in the development of OCD. With the pathway disrupted, OCD symptoms should stop. This procedure also may be done using stereotactic radiosurgery, also called a Gamma Knife. The Gamma Knife is a non-surgical machine that emits hundreds of powerful, highly focused gamma radiation beams aimed at the area of the brain where the problem is located.

Answer 2

I have OCD. A lot of people do, in some fashion. Not only do I wash my hands constantly, I also have to wash or wipe down all the groceries that I buy, I have to shower after I've been outdoors, even for just a few minutes, etc. It's debilitating, but for now, I'm accepting it as a part of who I am.

Answer 3

It's not really funny, it's quite ridiculous and I hate explaining it to people. But I barely ever want to go to a restaurant because I'm scared to sit in the seats. If they have crumbs between the cracks of the seat, I won't eat anything. Ugh, I know, it's stupid, but I wish the people who worked there would vacuum in between the cracks or something! It happens at the movies too. I don't like laying my head against the seat because I think that someone that sat there before me had nasty hair. Also, I'm completely paranoid about getting sick. I hate throwing up, which is emetephobia, (idk how to spell it. But if I find out that I was around someone who was sick, I will get so paranoid that I actually cry sometimes. It's horrible and my mom said she's taking me to get a hypnosis. Okay, I'm done.:)

Answer 4

I also have OCD. I have to go througout my house everynight to check to make sure there are no candles burning and that our gas fireplace is off and all of our doors are locked. This sounds to an extent normal except for the fact that I have to do this three times. Now moving on to the kitchen I have to ckeck the kitchen windows, stove, oven. It has to be in sets of four. Its a whole counting thing. If I don't do it I can't sleep. In my logical mind it is silly but I have to complete everything or I will become very anxious. I am an anxious person anyways. I think the thing with it is that you have to ask yourself where does the need to have control over everything come from. Its truley a pain in my *** but I am working on it

Answer 5

Saying to yourself that it's almost impossible makes it almost impossible so say the opposite, always think what you can do, not what you can't, not washing your hands you can. Make a deal w. yourself only 3 times a day, do that and you've won in a day.

Answer 6

OCD is more common that people realize. Millions of people have some form of a obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Since your obsession can cause some problems (severely chapped hands, brittle nails) you may want to consult a professional counsellor that specializes in these kinds of disorders.
Treatment is very often successful.

Answer 7

Yep, me too, I wash my hands many times a day and will not drink after people and hate public places.

Answer 8

Well, I do to some extent. Have you talked to the doc about it. I'm not much for meds, but maybe they will help you lessen your compulsions. Have you seen the Jack Nicholson movie, "As Good as It Gets." I think we also are given special creative talents, and I think it is better to focus on that aspect of our issues than the ones that drive us bonkers. I don't know how old you are, but I think you'll get better. Also, ask the Lord to help you overcome these feelings. Please think positively about yourself.

Answer 9

I don't have it anywhere near as bad as you. I just can't stand to eat the last bite of anything, no matter how much I like it, and I can't drink the last bit of milk out of the carton, even if it's new.

Do you get treatment for this? Mine isn't so bad, so I don't. Hope you do; good luck.

Answer 10

I do. It's not that bad anymore, but when I was seven years old it was taking over my life to the point where I was lying awake in bed all night because I was afraid of things. I hope yours gets better! God bless you!

Answer 11

My therapist did this, put an elastic band around your wrist and every time you feel the urge to wash, snap it and snap it hard.