First of all, I apologize about the length of this, but I'd really appreciate some opinions.

I was browsing around here a couple of days ago just out of curiosity because I live with my father who has severe OCD and I didn't really know anything about the disorder other than what I see from him and I thought I might get some information from here. And now I think I've dug up more than I was looking for....

While reading through I was amazed at how many times I thought "I do that too!" So many little quirks or obsessions I've always had were mentioned in posts..I never realized there was anything more to it than just having little, wierd habits.

So, now I'm wondering.. I know if I have got OCD it is not too severe becuase I don't act like my father and I feel much of what he does is completely irrational and I never have the urges to do most of the things he does. I also don't feel like all is doomed when I don't follow a ritual, it just makes me irritated, a bit uncomfortable or out of sorts temporarily until I can put it out of my mind. However I think its possible I have mild case.

Below are some things I thought "me too" to, and little habits I'm now wondering about, and I know I can't be diagnosed here nor will I take any opinions that way, but just from some people who know OCD so much better than I do, do you think these are signs I may be OCD?

- I sometimes feel like I need to count the number of windows on a building, or floors on a highrise, or the number of people in a car when I drive past it and its frusterating when I cant count fast enough

- everything has to be symmetrical or centred. For example a title on a page must be perfectly in the centre and when it isn't, I usually can't work with it.

- I sometimes have to breathe in and out to a certain beat or pattern, even when there isnt anything to follow sometimes I get stuck in a random, self-made pattern.

- when I am sitting at my desk I have to constantly check behind me to see if someone is there, even when I know there isn't

- I usually remain upset or embarassed by a situation longer than others. Even when I know something isn't a big deal, it still dwells inside me for a long time. If I recall embarassing moments that occured years and years ago, I still feel like I just want crawl into a hole.

- I can't be completely satisfied with a holiday/birthday celebration unless I cleaned my room beforehand.

- I worry about touching a place if I think to myself "a bug was on that spot"

- I can never eat the last bit of chocolate from an easter egg or christmas chocolate because I worry that if I eat it, sometime later I will want it more

- I have to write my notes in school perfectly neat and organized. If even one word is out of place, I can't study from it. If I start to wrhite messy during class, I rewrite them at home. I write the title off centre or the wrong date, I get a new page.

- I can't give up small, stupid things I had as a kid becuase eventhough I know I wont even remember them, I'm afraid I'll miss them.

- I'm afraid of toilet flushers and especially door handles in public washrooms

- The first thing I do when I come in the house from being out is wash my hands. I can't touch anything before I do that, even if I know where I've been is clean.

- I feel choked by turtlenecks, I get extremely aggitated wearing them and I can't for more than very short periods of time


Thanks for your help!!

Even just a yes or no?

well, I'm not a doctor or registered psychologist or the like, but some of the things you mentioned to remind me of the symptoms expressed in a psych class I took for OCD.

perhaps you might have some OCD

If it is becoming a problem in your life though, you should see your doc, who can refer you to a psychologist or other professional, who is trained in ways of diagnosing and then managing the disorder, if it were to be confirmed you had it.

cs

soooooo I guess I've done a maybe to you!!! :)

My opinion would be to go to your Primary Physician first so that you can get a referal if needed. Explain to your Dr. the above and see what he/she thinks.

Go see your doc. As I understand it OCD is defined by two components. Obsession and compulsion. In my case I am obsessed about technology. I can be a compulsive checker of things. I have read that a lot of ocd types have an aversion to anything with germs... etc. I don't seem to have that problem... I do have mild ocd as a comorbodity, and it seems to be driven by anxiety. That means if I am stessed, I am likely to start doing things like checking my email continuously or checking my door locks... moreso than I otherwise would.

In any case, see your doctor.

Me :D

Some of the things in your list sound like they could be Aspergers traits. (uncomfortable clothing, counting the numbers of windows and floors on buildings)

Not so much Aspergers as Aspergers does have cumpulsive traits with it.

This does sound a good like OCD, but realize that a lot of ppl have some compulsive tendencies. The germ thing is a pretty classic symptom and There may be more things that you do that you just think are a part of your personality. The thing that would make it worth checking into is if the anxiety produces stress. You may find that meds would smoothen out your day and that you feel more possitive about things in general.

Just from what you've said I would guess that you are obsessive in your neatness.