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I Think I Have OCD
Every time I watch television, the volume has to be set to an even number. If I'm watching a television where the volume has no numbers, I'll count the little lines so I can be sure it's an even number and not odd. When I was younger I had to turn the lights off in a room only after I had crossed the threshold, and had to turn them on before I entered, never after. I get annoyed by the sounds people make when they're eating/chewing to the point that I can't be in the same room as them, and if I can't get away I start to get snappy and extremely tense.
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
Scroll to see replies
you definitely have OCD.. everyone has some form of OCD, some are less minor than others obviously, but you should speak to a doctor (psychologist? psychiatrist?) before it takes over your life.
i used to wash my hands all the time and for sum reason normal soap wouldnt be ok it had 2 be squirty soap coz i thought it ws cleaner or sumin. was werid and got 2 a point where my hands got really dry etc an i had 2 use sum cream frm doctors 2 stop them burning. it sorta just stopped after a while i still wash em more than a normal perosn wud i spose but not half as much as i did. im a bit like u tho want 2 get everythin perfect and have started 2 think bout volume on an even number since my friend mentioned he did it. sorta feel sumin bad cud happen if i dont leave it on an even number lol
As ANON 2 said, everyone has OCD to some point.
A lot of superstiotions would appear to have a basis in OCD. Why would a sportsman get dressed in a certain order? Why do some Ice Hockey netminders touch each goalpost a certain number of times?
OCD only really becomes a problem when it affects somone's ability to function normally in life.
A lot of superstiotions would appear to have a basis in OCD. Why would a sportsman get dressed in a certain order? Why do some Ice Hockey netminders touch each goalpost a certain number of times?
OCD only really becomes a problem when it affects somone's ability to function normally in life.
Yep I also have OCD but not to the same extent, for example when I am in the lounge, I sit down, notice that the cushions on all the other seats arent placed properly and then have to get up and rearrange them, I sit down again and then wonder if i've done it properly and then do it again. It's really annoying but just think that something bad will happen if i dont do it (like get bad A level grades).
Anonymous
i used to wash my hands all the time and for sum reason normal soap wouldnt be ok it had 2 be squirty soap coz i thought it ws cleaner or sumin. was werid and got 2 a point where my hands got really dry etc an i had 2 use sum cream frm doctors 2 stop them burning. it sorta just stopped after a while i still wash em more than a normal perosn wud i spose but not half as much as i did. im a bit like u tho want 2 get everythin perfect and have started 2 think bout volume on an even number since my friend mentioned he did it. sorta feel sumin bad cud happen if i dont leave it on an even number lol
How does squirty soap dry your hands?
You certainly have the symptoms of OCD, but you can't get a proper diagnosis then treatment unless you visit your GP who will refer you.
Do you feel really anxious if you try and stop yourself from doing the behaviours such as watching your hands or counting the volume? Do you think if you don't do them, something bad will happen and it'll be your fault? This can be anything from a family member getting hurt to something bigger like terrorist bombs. Do you get panic attacks? If you're under a lot of stress does it make your symptoms worse? All these questions might be something tro think about.
There is a UK support site here which will show you that you're really not alone, and that you can fight it and lead a 'normal' life.
Good Luck
and PM me if you need someone to talk to.
Do you feel really anxious if you try and stop yourself from doing the behaviours such as watching your hands or counting the volume? Do you think if you don't do them, something bad will happen and it'll be your fault? This can be anything from a family member getting hurt to something bigger like terrorist bombs. Do you get panic attacks? If you're under a lot of stress does it make your symptoms worse? All these questions might be something tro think about.
There is a UK support site here which will show you that you're really not alone, and that you can fight it and lead a 'normal' life.
Good Luck
and PM me if you need someone to talk to.
Sithius
How does squirty soap dry your hands?
If you use it a lot it'll wash off the oily protective layer. I had this a while ago, but even though I wash my hands the same amount, they don't get dry and flaky anymore.
Anonymous
you definitely have OCD.. everyone has some form of OCD, some are less minor than others obviously, but you should speak to a doctor (psychologist? psychiatrist?) before it takes over your life.
How can you say that someone "definatly" has a mental disorder like that? As you said yourself, everyone has it to an extent, but thats just obsessions/compulsions. Only when it takes over your life to a damaging extent is it officially considered "OCD".
You could look up/memorize the DSM-IV classifications all you want, but part of the things you learn when you train to be a psychiatrist is how to understand those classifications. Theres a hell of a lot more behind the scenes than just those diagnoses.
to the OP - if you think its that much of a problem, go and speak to a doctor, who can probably refer you to a psychiatrist/psychologist, and you may find cbt quite helpful as well. x x
matt@internet
If you use it a lot it'll wash off the oily protective layer. I had this a while ago, but even though I wash my hands the same amount, they don't get dry and flaky anymore.
;o
I wash like 4 times a day my hands, would this affect it?
I hate using regular soap, MY FAMILIES HANDS HAVE BEEN ON IT! (amongst other things)
i was washin bout 20 times a day mayb more at 1 point
I have OCD in a minor way; I've never been diagnosed but I've studied enough psychology to work it out for myself!
It doesn't affect my life, but i've done the washing hands thing, and checking taps are off, lights are off, thinking I haven't taken my pill when i clearly remember it. I tell myself im being stupid but it doesnt always work. I would definately seek help if it got really bad; I don't have issues with admitting that i have a mental problem. At the moment though I can pretty much deal with it myself.
It doesn't affect my life, but i've done the washing hands thing, and checking taps are off, lights are off, thinking I haven't taken my pill when i clearly remember it. I tell myself im being stupid but it doesnt always work. I would definately seek help if it got really bad; I don't have issues with admitting that i have a mental problem. At the moment though I can pretty much deal with it myself.
I have OCD (OC Disorder)
Every time 'The OC' is on, I am compelled to chuck a brick at the TV using a left handed overarm throw.
Every time 'The OC' is on, I am compelled to chuck a brick at the TV using a left handed overarm throw.
OMG I used to have this but now I've grown out of it.
For example I used to lock the front door but then I would have to try the handle about 8 times then walk away and then walk back and try it again to make sure it's locked. I also used to have a thing about the number 4.
Grown out of it now though. It's sort of like your in a trance when you do it.
My neighbour will wait in a public toilet for someone to open the doo-r because he wont touch the door handle
For example I used to lock the front door but then I would have to try the handle about 8 times then walk away and then walk back and try it again to make sure it's locked. I also used to have a thing about the number 4.
Grown out of it now though. It's sort of like your in a trance when you do it.
My neighbour will wait in a public toilet for someone to open the doo-r because he wont touch the door handle
The main thing with OCD is, as someone else pointed out, you carry out the compulsions (for you it would be hand washing) becuse of an obsession (unwanted/recurring thoughts). I was diagnosed with OCD two years ago. I do not really have any compulsions, just the obsessive part. However, you can't have compulsions without the obsessions. If you would like to PM me about it, thats fine, I don't really want to go into anything in more detail publicly! But, you should see a doctor. I;m on medication and although I had a relapse last summer and most of the time ok now.
Anonymous
Every time I watch television, the volume has to be set to an even number. If I'm watching a television where the volume has no numbers, I'll count the little lines so I can be sure it's an even number and not odd. When I was younger I had to turn the lights off in a room only after I had crossed the threshold, and had to turn them on before I entered, never after. I get annoyed by the sounds people make when they're eating/chewing to the point that I can't be in the same room as them, and if I can't get away I start to get snappy and extremely tense.
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
to be honest with you i think it sounds like mild OCD.. i'd go see your doctor. i had similar problems plus more, and i went to the doctors and was diagnosed with OCD and was offered all sorts of treatments. some people can live with OCD but in some cases it can get worse and be quite disabling with some aspects of life. Speaking from experience sometimes mine lies completely dormant and then it can be really bad as in I can't leave the house. Good luck with everything.
Anonymous
Every time I watch television, the volume has to be set to an even number. If I'm watching a television where the volume has no numbers, I'll count the little lines so I can be sure it's an even number and not odd. When I was younger I had to turn the lights off in a room only after I had crossed the threshold, and had to turn them on before I entered, never after. I get annoyed by the sounds people make when they're eating/chewing to the point that I can't be in the same room as them, and if I can't get away I start to get snappy and extremely tense.
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
At work I wash my hands every fifteen/twenty minutes whereas the other staff can go the whole day without doing it. I hate the feeling of having something on my hands, especially food. My mum has noticed this and thinks it is strange. Also at work, I am constantly tidying things and cleaning. I find myself arranging things in a certain way, like a pile of papers has to be perfectly in line. I have to press the till buttons in a certain way; everything has to be just right. I obsessively avoid walking across three drains in a row when I'm out, but I sometimes go out of my way to walk across two. The only explanation I have for doing this is that it's 'bad luck' to walk across three and 'good luck' to walk across two (I know this is stupid).
Once I had to re-write a very long essay for college three times because I couldn't stand to have tip-ex or crossings out on the page. It had to be perfect. This has happened many times. When I do written work or try to create something I feel like I am aiming for a very high standard and everything I do falls short of it. I want to be a writer when I grow up but this perfectionism/compulsion makes achieving my dream extremely difficult.
However much I tell myself all these things are irrational and time-wasting, I can't help doing them. I think I have OCD or some other mental illness and I get so frustrated with it. It's not ruining my life and I can have fun like normal people, but every now and then I think about how much better it would be if I didn't have all these obsessions.
Does anyone else suffer from these problems, and how have you coped with it?
You probably have a mild OCD, a proper OCD involves more horrible things (I won't tell you them in case they get stuck in your head and you'll develop a proper OCD).
Reading your post, you are excatly like me. Every single thing you've mentioned relates to me, honestly. I don't just have to have the volume at an even number, it has to be divisible by 5 (always 35,40,45? I can't let it go if it's something else.) I too have to turn off/on the lights when I'm outside of the room, not inside. I too re-write every essay until it seems perfect to me. I do try the handle at least once after I lock the door. I can do and undo my hair, and then do it up again (although I noticed I do my hair when I'm nervour or upset, just do th plaits and then undo them and again and again). Everyone has bits of it, but if it seriously disturbs your life, go see a doctor, they will be very understanding.
I have been diagnosed with OCD, and i have very similar symptoms to you! I do those type of things but not exactly the same. My GP referred me to a Psychologist, and i got sent letters from them about it but i cancelled the appointment in the end as the letters really scared me! It has been really annoying me recently because people i know have started to notice and make comments on my actions e.g. when i'm rearranging objects they will mess them up on purpose or if i can't eat from cutlery which someone else has touched they will laugh and touch it on purpose! It's not nice, i would advise you to visit your GP, tell him your symptoms and see what he has to say Good luck x
Good luck x
Don't worry about it, I have OCD too and it's nothing 'bad'. I have to have even numbers (eating, counting, stepping, blinking, touching), sometimes I have to touch my fingers.. HAVE to.. (it's a real pain when I'm playing the piano or typing though.. I just did it twice then, oh Lord), rub my finger against my teeth, touch certain things (cracks in floors, carpet) etc at least twice if not 4 times, and clench my hamstrings. It's a pain in the arse, but CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) will sort you out. Sadly, I'm still awaiting mine as my GP doesn't think that mine is serious enough for referral. As it's got so bad now it\'s affecting my life, I think it's quite wrong but at the minute I have to bear with it 
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