is this OCD?

Question

I think i may have a slight case of OCD everytime i lock my car i have to hear my horn at least twice or i cant move on to a new task, everynight i check under my bed to make sure no one is waiting for me or i cant sleep...those are the 2 big things i always do i have some other things but they can be considered routines.

this isnt normal behavior, so if its not that what else could it be

Answer 1

It's not usually considered a disorder unless it's severe enough to keep you from living a normal life, and causes you a lot of distress.

What you're describing doesn't sound that severe.

For example, if you had to hear your horn 150 times every time you locked your car, if somebody interrupted you, you'd have to start over again;. and following this ritual every day is making you late for appointments, and so on.

If you had to look under your bed exactly 30 times, getting up between each time you look, and then you flicked your light switch on and off 47 times before you went to bed. If your light burned out, you'd make sure you put a new light in the socket that night, even if you had to drive to a store at midnight, otherwise, you'd be really upset if you couldn't turn the lights on and off 47 times.

Those are just random examples, I'm just trying to say that what you describe doesn't sound severe enough to be diagnosed with OCD. Lots of people have rituals that don't really make any sense, I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 2

OCD is defined as: a mental disorder characterized by a repeated, disturbing, irrational though (the obsession) that can only be terminated (temporarily) by performing some action (the compulsion).
People who are diagnosed with ocd are those for whom such thoughts and actions are severe, prolonged, and disruptive of normal life. The obsessions and compulsions need to consume more than an hour per day of the your time and seriously interfere with work or social relationships. However, if it does not go on for more than an hour I'm 99% sure that you will not be diagnosed as having ocd.
One thing you should do is check in with your doctor and discuss what's going on.

Good luck :o)

Answer 3

It may be a mild case of OCD. I am the same way. Every morning before I leave my house I have to walk through the house and make sure every window and door is locked, every light is turned off, and the iron and coffee pot are unplugged. It is a ritual that I have to do at least 3 times before I can leave! Try doing all that when you are already late for work!

Answer 4

If these are the only two things you do then it's considered obsessive/compulsive behaviours as opposed to full on obsessive compulsive disorder.

It's not something for you to be overly concerned about. You'd be surprised at the amount of people that have have obsessive/compulsive behaviours, that seem strange or irrational. But unless these rituals are interfering in your every day life to the point where you can't function normally, it's not something you have to worry about.

Answer 5

It sounds like you have some obsessive-compulsive rituals but it's not a disorder until it starts really interfering in your life. Right now, I wouldn't worry, but I would keep track of how compelled I was to do things, and if any more rituals became present. Once you have trouble functioning in your life, you need to go see a doctor. As it is, I don't think you have a major problem.

Answer 6

Its sounds like normal routine if its only two things. Its seems like OCD affects every aspect of normal life.

Answer 7

Umm,Yea it could be considered OCD.Like it could be the start of it,If things get worse and you start to do more and more things,then that could mean it's just developing even more and should get it checked out.

Answer 8

it could just be superstition...i got over mine just by telling myself nothing bad will happen if i dont do it...and nothing did and i dont do those stupid lil habits anymore

Answer 9

no. your dco.