What is it?..ocd..normal..madness?

Question

okay..this may sound strange but i need to know and get over this.. i'm petrified of my parents dying..i constantly have thoughts aboout it and need to keep counting the numbers 1 through to 10 for example..if there is quiet i need to reach the number 10 before a person says anything otherwise im scared something bad will happen. its not just with people talking its other things but whatever happens i must reach the number 10 before watever it is has started..! please help! i'm 14 and a girl..

Answer 1

Sounds like there are a few things going on here: generalized anxiety disorder (the fear of your parents dying) and OCD (having to count to 10). I obviously don't know everything that's going on in your life, so it could also be just one of these or a combination.

Both of these disorders can be treated, but it's important to talk to your doctor and be specific about what, if anything, that triggers this fear and the need to count. It might even be helpful to keep a journal for a week or two about when and why these occurred.

Going to the doctor is the most important thing--and it doesn't mean you're crazy!

Here's some info on both these conditions from webMD:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events. People with GAD tend to always expect disaster and can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work or school. In people with GAD, the worry often is unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear and dread. Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes with daily functioning, including work, school, social activities and relationships.

What Are the Symptoms of GAD?

GAD affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, as well. Symptoms of GAD include:

* Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
* An unrealistic view of problems
* Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
* Irritability
* Muscle tension
* Headaches
* Sweating
* Difficulty concentrating
* Nausea
* The need to go to the bathroom frequently
* Tiredness
* Trouble falling or staying asleep
* Trembling
* Being easily startled


Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a potentially disabling anxiety disorder. A person who has OCD has intrusive and unwanted thoughts and repeatedly performs tasks to get rid of the thoughts. For example, if you have OCD, you may fear that everything you touch is contaminated with germs, and in order to ease that fear, you repeatedly wash your hands.

The effects of OCD range from mild to severe. OCD can disrupt your social life and relationships as well as your ability to work or go to school.

Symptoms of OCD include:

* Obsessions, which are recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas, and impulses that interrupt normal thinking and cause anxiety or fear. The thoughts may be sexual or violent or create a concern of illness. Examples include:
- Persistent fear of harm to yourself or a loved one.
- An excessive need to do things perfectly or correctly.
- A fear of contamination.
* Compulsions, which are behaviors or rituals that are repeated intentionally to try to control the obsessions. Some people have rituals that are rigid and structured, while others have very complex rituals that change. Examples include:
- Washing or checking.
- Counting, often while doing another compulsive action, such as hand-washing.
- Repeating things or endlessly rearranging items to keep them in perfect alignment.
- Hoarding.
- Praying.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You just have something to work on. I have my own things, too.

I think you should confide in the people around you about this. I would assume you don't want to talk to your parents first, right? So then talk to your school counselor or another adult - even your teachers.

If the people around you know what your going through, they can start looking for ways to help you. And, btw, I wish you all the luck in the world.

Answer 3

OCD, which is an anxiety disorder. Get any kind of doctor to prescribe an antidepressant (like Zoloft). You should be feeling better in a couple of weeks. It will stop the mind-racing that is so maddening.

Answer 4

yes it sounds like a mental illness and i do this myself and always have...i am on meds now and feel a lot better...you can talk to your school counselor and see what they suggest or go to the library and read a book about ocd and see if it sounds like you...then go from there.

Answer 5

I sounds like OCD, but I think you need to talk to someone you can trust about it. You will be fine...there are ways to deal with it!