OCD...Anyone else?

Question

I don't know if I actually have it....but....

One time, when my sister rearranged the silverware so that it went forks, spoons, forks, spoons, I got angry with her and fixed it so that it was forks, forks, spoons, spoons.

Also, everytime when I grab a dish out of the cupboard to use, I always grab the second one from the top because I always think that the first one is always dirty. I do the same with silverware as well.

I don't like to wash dishes because the water gets too grimy and is just so disgusting that it makes me sick.

I hate small places because it gives me claustrophobia.

After a black-out, I unplug everything to look at their cords.

I have to number everything.

I tap my touch light 4-6 times, or until I'm satisfied.

When the toilet won't stop running, I jiggle it's handle 20 times or until I'm satisfied.

I ALWAYS use baby wipes and hand sanitizer to clean my hands.

I collect soda bottles in my room

Answer 1

Haha, I can be OCD sometimes.

I always grap the second dish, too, especially when it comes to the disposable ones. And the spoon, forks, thing? I totally understand!

Some of my habits (I can't list all of them, though that will bug me later on if I remember more):

Trying to chew an equal amount of food on both sides

Measurements have to be triple checked. If something needs to be centered, I can keep shifting something back and forth for minutes until it's dead center.

Everything has to be even and straight.

I'm afraid of making mistakes sometimes (though I end up making mistakes all the time, anyway)

Everything has to look right. I'll give you a simple (though random) example:

:) or :] or :D I have to make sure it works with my tone and message

Weird, I know, haha.
...

Answer 2

Soda bottles in your room seems icky. Doesn't that seem dirtier than recycling them?

My Husband has a slight case, but not your type.
He is a methodical planner, he burns so much paper planning his schedule or our schedule. Organizing the grocery cart when shopping, triple checking hotel rooms when we leave (of course we always leave something)

This is such a strange illness. By the way claustrophobia is not uncommon.

Getting a dishwasher will solve the whole dish washing thing and the dishwasher sterilizes while they wash.

I use baby wipes for hand cleaning also. Many things you do absolutely ordinary people do also.

It sounds like you just have no control. Be patient when you do a solution (like shaking the toilet hand) once. Wait and see if the running has stopped. You are breaking down the toilet parts by shaking it so much, the same with the lamp and turning it off and on so much.

Get on a heavy Vitamin and Mineral diet. That frequently feeds the need of your body in amazing ways. You could very well help yourself recover from these bad habits.

by the way checking the cords is not a bad idea. And top plates can get dusty if not used often.

Answer 3

To have clinical OCD your behavior has to impede on the quality of your life. Very few people enjoy washing dishes. Claustrophobia is not OCD, but an anxiety disorder. And you'd be surprised how many people take the second plate, napkin, spoon etc. :)
If your current quirks aren't inhibiting or dehabilitating, you're OK! Otherwise a Dr. can help.

"To be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, one must have either obsessions or compulsions alone, or obsessions and compulsions, according to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. The Quick Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR (2000) describes these obsessions and compulsions:[2]

Obsessions are defined by:

1 Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress.
2 The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems.
3 The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action.
4 The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind, and are not based in reality.
5 The tendency to haggle over small details that the viewer is unable to fix or change in any way. This begins a mental pre-occupation with that which is inevitable.

Compulsions are defined by:

1 Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.
2 The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.
3 In addition to these criteria, at some point during the course of the disorder, the sufferer must realize that his/her obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable or excessive. 4 Moreover, the obsessions or compulsions must be time-consuming (taking up more than one hour per day), cause distress, or cause impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning.[2] OCD often causes feelings similar to those of depression."

Answer 4

i'm only 11 and i think i have ocd too.

if theres something out of place like one shoe isn't semetrical with the other one i have to change it 3or 4 times untill it's right.

it i don't shut the door right or i i didn't hear it slam i have to do it over again for atleast 2 more times

if my room isn't clean , i mean super slean, and i try to relax i get twithy and nervous

it stinks so much and i don't even know if i have a problem

Answer 5

Sounds like it.I`m obsess with cleanliness too but I haven`t told my doctor as yet because I didn`t want to look weird.My medication covers OCD as well so that`s good.Sorry about your problem.It must be very tiring.

Answer 6

My husband has OCD. He has to have everything in the same direction. Cups, dishes, papers, clothes, tv remotes. Its nuts. I would suggest getting some help.

Answer 7

They are all symptoms: see OCD treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 7. If it takes up more than an hour, daily, it is serious enough to warrant treatment, but unless it gets worse, you may be able to cope on your own.