I've already been diagnosed as schizoaffective bipolar. Now I'm showing signs of OCD, by checking things constantly, counting, having to find patterns, liking things to be symmetrical, and today I brushed my teeth more than usual because I kept feeling dirty. If I'm rinsing out a bowl or cup and the water gets on me, I feel contaminated and dirty. I also have a mild hoarding tendency, as in I keep everything and don't like throwing things away because I could use it "someday".
My dad has OCD, but not to the point where it interferes with his life, so he's on no medication. I'm already on three for my two disorders. Could this be because of the disorders, since I've been like this before the meds? I want input, since i don't see my doc until the 15th and this is driving me crazier.
2006-12-01 12:01:42 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Can I just point out that you only have one disorder (diagnosed) at present. Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type.
Don't let labels build up and make you feel like there's more there than there really is.
Now, here's the interesting part. The symptoms you are experiencing, may be a part of your pre-existing disorder. Schizoaffective gets the name because it has a blend of psychosis and mood disorder symptoms, but isn't solely one or the other.
It could be a form of a symptom, depending on the "why". You could simply be just developing a bit of fear that you will develop the disorder as your dad did, but because of the Schizoaffective d/o, it kind of distorts it on you.
Your doc will do a "Rule out" exam I guess, to check and see if you exhibit other signs and symptoms. Or to confirm that it may just be your primary diagnosis rearing its head.
2006-12-01 12:32:37 · answer #1 · answered by Tuppens316 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OCD "but not to the point where it interferes with his life" is actually by definition not OCD - it is obsessive/compulsive trait if you are getting on okay and don't need medication. We would call it obsessive compulsive disorder if it DOES interfere with your life and perhaps you need medication (or therapy) for it.
Your dad has it. There is a fair to middling chance that you have developed some degree of obsessive compulsive trait. This is "ego syntonic" - you can go about life okay despite it and maybe it helps you in life. It certainly helped a school mate of mine who always had to have his pencils just so and counted this and checked that. He's a fabulous mathematician now.
If it becomes a problem in your life (ie "ego dystonic") then you might need to get help. I have seen patients who cannot get out of the house for an HOUR because of checking behaviour - going back to check the stove or the front door lock even though they have checked it 200 times already and the know it is off/locked/secure ... It is at this stage you need therapy and maybe some clomipramine.
Usually what you are describing is not found in schizoaffective disorder. Bipolar disorder can produce cleaning behaviour, but the patterns, counting, symmetry and feeling of contamination are typical of the obsessive compulsive types of disorders.
2006-12-01 12:17:08 · answer #2 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
relax and maybe this will pass. you are obeissive about this problem and that only makes things worse
2006-12-01 12:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by Wicked 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-12-02 06:15:25 · answer #4 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋