Does this sound like mild OCD?

Question

If I were to talk to my mom about this, she would probably laugh and ignore me, but it's starting to bother me. I often find myself spelling words that people say with my finger, I constantly erase and rewrite things because I don't like how it looked or how I held my pencil. If I'm talking, and I don't use a 'g' sound in what I'm saying, I'll feel weird until I say a word with G in it. I'm always looking at things over and over again to make sure I'm not missing anything. I have all kinds of odd little things that I do. It's not a really strong feeling, but sometimes I have something similar to an anxiety attack over something as simple as whether I'm supposed to push the door or pull it. I'm not sure if this is something I should talk to my doctor about or just let it go.

Answer 1

You stated that determining whether to push or pull a door can result in "something similar to an anxiety attack." This is extremely significant. First, I will answer the OCD question and then I will address this.

Does this sound like mild OCD?
No, OCD is a diagnosis reserved for extremely severe symptoms that alter a persons entire life. According to APA DSM IV there is no such thing as a mild case of OCD. (This is "proper notation." You can Google it if necessary.)
Please see this Wiki entry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder - Wikipedia

The symptoms that you currently report could possibly be OCPD (obsessive-compulsive personality disorder). People with this disorder are often very inflexible in their thinking. According to DSM IV, OCD and OCPD are entirely different disorders. As far as I am concerned, WHATEVER!
Please see this Wiki entry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive_compulsive_personality_disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - Wikipedia

In total, there is OCD, OCPD and a number of different Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (disorders that are thought to be in some way related to OCD.)

Now back to you. What matters is that all obsessive type disorders are classified as a type of anxiety disorder and all anxiety disorders are caused by insufficient levels of serotonin in the brain. This can be treated.

My advise is: tell your mom that you have been experiencing anxiety and that you would like to consult a doctor about it. I am not sure how your health care system works, but try to go directly to a psychiatrist. If you must first see your primary care doctor that is fine, but tell him that you want to consult with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist is important because he has been specially trained to listen to you and provide you with an accurate diagnosis. He also has far more experience prescribing the type of medication that you would need. I do not believe that you currently have a serious problem. I actually think that it can be easily corrected. The psychiatrist is important because seeing him/her will ensure that you receive the highest level of care and that your symptoms are resolved quickly.

Please, do not worry about the door, the pencil or the "G" sound. All that you have to do is describe how you feel and the situations where you were anxious. It is the psychiatrists job to diagnose and classify the troublesome behaviors. Once you are diagnosed you also need to see a therapist to work on changing behaviors that bother you and prevent you from achieving success.

Right now your symptoms seem manageable, but untreated anxiety usually becomes worse over time. You want to deal with this now so that you don't risk loosing significant portions of your life. Anxiety can destroy relationships with friends and family if not properly treated.

The best results are achieved when you work to improve all aspects of your life. Nutrition, exercise and adequate sleep all play a role in curing your symptoms.

This book is one of the best on the subject. It covers medication, natural supplements and therapy. The goal is to eventually heal yourself so that you no longer need medication.
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Anxiety-Depression-Daniel-Amen/dp/0399150366 Healing Anxiety and Depression: Books: Daniel G. Amen
St. John's Wort, L-tryptophan and 5-HTP are some of the natural substances that increase serotonin discussed in the book. Please consult with your doctor first.

This web site is by the same author. It is technical, but very informative.
http://www.brainplace.com/bp/atlas/
Brain SPECT Imaging Information and Resources

Nutrition is also important. Taking Omega-3 supplements has also been shown to reduce anxiety by as much as 30%. You can buy them online or at a health food store.
This book is new and one of the best.
http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Food-What-Change/dp/1596912677/ref=sr_1_5/104-0843566-6300714?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190682659&sr=1-5
The Truth About Food: What You Eat Can Change Your Life: Jill Fullerton-Smith, Mehmet Oz,M.D., Mehmet C. Oz

If this helps and you have other questions please email me. I have ADD (subtype: limbic system hyperactivity, with obsessive symptoms.) In my case the obsessive symptoms present as OCPD.

Answer 2

That thing with the fingers my father used to do that. It sounds like you have some type of OCD. OCD is a compulsion to carry out certain action and if you don't you worry or as you say feel 'odd.' I'd go to see a doctor if it is effecting you. I used to have a problem with hand washing and that was so bad I would be stuck by the sink in an endless round of hand and tap washing. I could not open doors with my hands and it was a really horrible thing. I never had treatment but I am not as bad now as I was, but stress can make me bad. I'd get it sorted before it interferes with your functioning - which it can.

Answer 3

Based on the information you've given above, I would say that it seems possible that you may have some OCD tendencies. Such thoughts and compulsions are often indicative of this, however I would be hesitant to say anything more without additional knowledge. I am glad to hear that you are a highly functioning individual and your day to day life is not impaired by these activities or thoughts - as you know, this is important! Keep an eye on your rituals, however - it is common for such procedures to get more elaborate or lenghty with repetition and time. Best wishes.

Answer 4

I think you should definately talk to a doctor. You sound very mature to recognize in detail, the syptoms of what could be a mild case. The good thing is, there are tools to help you. You are not alone and don't be embarrassed. I have to put on my deodorant 20 strokes every day, have driven around the block to check if I shut the garage door, and if anything is out of place in my house, I have to set it straight until its perfect (and sometimes thats never.) We all have our little things. Don't wait to talk about it though because it will make you feel better about yourself. Good luck!

Answer 5

I have a problem with writhing everything like that also. it generally happens when I overly stressed , as to whether it's OCD , I don't know, I'm Bi-polar, so maybe they all go kind of hand and hand. try this try keeping your finger still, I've done it so much, that even not moving my finger , I can still feel the nerve writing the words out.

Answer 6

It does sound like the beginning of one, but you're doing the right thing in noticing and being concerned by it.

Lots of people have 'funny little quirks' but if it gets to the point when you're spending hours and hours on these rituals or they are intruding on your normal daily functioning... then yeah, I'd maybe go seek some help to stop it before it worsens.

Answer 7

Definitely OCD. Don't talk to your dr. Go see a psychiatrist. He's the specialist in this area. It's only going to get worse until it's completely running your life.

If you don't have a psychiatrist, NAMI - National Alliance for Mental Illness - www.nami.org can find one for you for free, and there is tons of info on that site and links to other sites with info about OCD.

Answer 8

I dont know if I would call that OCD. It may just be some funny habits that you have. However, it is worth talking to your doctor about because it could possibly get worse and turn into OCD or you may already have it.

Answer 9

everyone has their quirks. for example i had a ex bf who mom always had to have the light switches in the dining room going the same direction (all up or all down), or sometimes i even catch myself setting tables at work and if its not centered then i redo the whole thing. :P

Answer 10

naw, i'm no doctor but i do the same thing (spell the words people say with my finger. lmao i was doing that at dinner when we had guests and the girl sitting next to me was like 'err what are you doing?' and looked at me weird. but its totally normal).
and i also avoid words with 'r' i hate that letter.
but yeah, it's totally normal, tons of people do it ^_^ we all are weird like that, but some people show it more i guess :D