Does anyone have OCD? Can you help me?

Question

I think I have it but I'm not sure, so it would be great if someone with OCD or someone who knows about OCD can tell me whether or not I have it and how to deal with it! My symptoms are mainly the horrible feelings that basically tell me to do things, because if I don't then I get a feeling that something bad will happen to someone I am thinking about. I can't stop them either, as much as I tell myself to stop, I can't!!! Please, someone tell me if I have it and how I can deal with it! Is there a way to make it stop? Thanks for any answers, they'll be much appreciated!

I just want to thank you all for answering, and in great speed too! I have read all of your thoughts on my question and they are all helpful ... thank you loads xxx

Answer 1

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder; more specifically, it is an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but it is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.

I have OCD and when I fight the fact that I have to do something, it stresses me out bad. So I just do the things I have to and deal with that is how I am.

Answer 2

I have OCD, it's quite common. I think it was said that everyone has atleast a minor case of OCD at some point. But I guess mine's not as bad as what you've described. Try going to a counciller, they help lots! You won't be able to get rid of it straight away, you kinda have to move slowly away from it. I've -still- got OCD, but only because it gives me extra exam time. Hah.

But yeah, it is very possible to make it stop, and it's hopefully without the use of drugs and scary things. If you go to a counciller then all they do is guide you down a psycholigical path and help ya how to be rid of it. I think.

Answer 3

You really need to seek proper medical help.

We can not tell you if you have OCD as we do not have all the information.

There may be perfectly rational reasons why you are feeling and experiencing the things you are,

You could have mild depression, you could be very stressed, you could have some sort of virus or diabetes, you may be having anxiety attacks.

Talk with your GP and confide in friends or family that you trust and take all the help you are offered.

Do not fear what you do not yet know.

I wish you well my friend.

Answer 4

I think you should see a counselor just so they can guide you through this. I don't know if it's OCD or not, typically I think of OCD and obsessive actions, like repeated hand washing or something similar. It might be anxiety and they can help you with that. Try telling yourself every time you have a bad thought that you know nothing bad will happen to anyone just becuase you think of them or try switching the bad thoughts to good. I hope this helps, and please take care!

Answer 5

Well everyone has tendencies, I have more than most people. I don't get the horrible bad feelings, I just can't stop myself. Like if something is uneven, I am compelled to make it even. Like my crush's sweatshirt strings were uneven and I had to fix it. There are some things that I won't do because of it, like touching bathroom door handles. It sounds like you do have it, it's hard to try and stop it when your brain just tells you to do it. Maybe you should see a doctor or something, they probably have things to control it...or if you don't want to see a doctor then you can just live with it. Believe me, it could always be worse.

Answer 6

loosen up, loosen up, loosen up. appears like OCD. I too have suffered from all of it my life. medicine is available which will truly help you. that's actually one of those stress that you imagine will rigidity you nuts. there's a e book you ought to study referred to as "The Boy Who couldn't provide up Washing." it is going to provide lots if perception into what causes this and provide you with wish that it will be dealt with. come across a psychologist or psychological health health midsection the position you'll get treatment and information. i made a decision that i did not care what human beings idea-about me, I purely knew I had to get help. Boy, am I happy I did! Now i will brazenly discuss it with out worry of judgment. do not spend something else of your life in misery. that's an ailment. you would search for medical help for most cancers, perfect?? do not wait yet another day!!

Answer 7

I have OCD. It runs in my family. That is one symptom.

Some people have something called OCD tendencies. It is brought upon by stress. (OCD is a stress illness itself.) You might just have that. If so you will only have 1 or 2 symptoms and it is manageable.

Some people are called OCD because they are exceptionally neat. That is not OCD the disorder. That is a personality type.

Here is a version of the quick test you can give yourself over some of the symptoms.
The following is adapted from the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), and is not meant to replace a thorough evaluation by a licensed Cognitive-Behavioral therapist or other qualified mental health professional. It may, however, help you to get a better idea of whether or not you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.


Do you often have repetitive, intrusive, unwanted thoughts that upset you or make you anxious, and that you can't get out of your mind no matter how much you try?

Do you worry excessively about speaking or acting in a manner that you think is harmful, violent, sexually inappropriate, immoral, or sacrilegious?

Do you repeatedly ruminate about unwanted thoughts in an effort to prove to yourself that you will not act in a manner that you think is harmful, violent, sexually inappropriate, immoral, or sacrilegious?

Do you often recite prayers or repeat certain phrases in an effort to rid yourself of unwanted thoughts or to ensure that nothing bad happens?

Do you often repeat routine, daily activities to ensure that you did not harm someone (e.g., driving back to a certain place in the road to reassure yourself that you did not run over a pedestrian)?

Do you wash your hands or shower more often or for longer periods of time than most other people?

Do you excessively clean objects (e.g., clothes, towels, bed sheets, household items, your car interior, furniture, etc.)?

Do you repeatedly visually check to be sure you have properly performed a just-completed task (e.g., looking to be sure you have signed a check, re-opening a mailbox to be sure you have deposited a letter, etc.)?

Do you often repeat routine behaviors (e.g., locking doors, turning off light switches, turning off stove burners, etc.) because you are not sure you have done these behaviors or done them "just right"?

Do you frequently ask others for reassurance that tasks have been properly completed (e.g., "Did I lock the door?" "Did I shut the windows?" etc.)

Do you repeatedly ask others for reassurance that you have not done something "wrong," "bad," or harmful?

Do you unnecessarily arrange, order, or tidy the contents of your desk, closets, cabinets, refrigerator, bookshelves, etc., in an effort to make them symmetrical or "just right"?

Do you unnecessarily straighten common household objects such as window blinds or rugs in an effort to make them symmetrical or "just right" (e.g., window blinds, rugs, papers, etc)?

Do you repeatedly count mundane items that do not really merit counting (e.g., ceiling tiles, floor tiles, books, records, clothes, light poles, cars, etc.)?

Do you have great difficulty discarding things that have no practical value and that most other people would consider trash (e.g., old newspapers or magazines, receipts, useless papers, clothing you have not worn in years, empty food containers, etc.)?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. You should consult a physician.

Here is a good website about it in general.
http://www.ocdla.com/index.html

Good Luck.

Sam-

Answer 8

Try not to dwell on things, if you feel yourself being drawn into a chain of thought just do something else, dont drink, smoke or take anything, if you are already try to stop.
When you feel like you are obsessing try pinching you wrist or putting your hand in cold water or something else mildly unpleasant that doesnt involve self harm. eat something you dont like or do something you've been putting off like paying a bill you know you should but you've been putting off, do the right thing for the wrong reason.

Answer 9

Make an appointment to see a Psychologist. You can talk about the specifics of what you feel, what you tell yourself you must do in order to feel better. With behavior therapy you can overcome mild OCD without any prescriptions.

Answer 10

Take a look at www.algy.com/anxiety. A wonderful support group and forum for all types of Anxiety disorders. Some people can be treated with counseling, some with medication, some with both. At any rate the rate of recovery is VERY high :)

John