I am starting to think I might have OCD
By speedy1279
@speedy1279 (2665)
United States
January 14, 2008 9:07am CST
Okay you know I never thought that I might have OCD until just recently when my son was diagnosed with OCD. I have just always thought that I am just a very organized person. For me everything has to have it's own spot and if it is moved, it bothers me. I get stressed out and experience anxiety to the point I get upset or mad. This is something that I experience everyday it seems. Some examples: Pillows on my couch have to be just right and if someone sits down, moves them, and then gets up and doesn't put them back. I get irriated and have to fix it immediately. Another one: My pantry and fridge. I put everyting in them in certain spots. Then my husband will come along and get something out and not put it back exactly where I had it. I will then go looking for it, can't find it, and then get upset when I see it was not put back where it was originally. Last example: My bed. My husband goes to bed before me and if I don't get a chance to straighten the sheets before he gets in, then I won't sleep in the bed.
Like I said before. I never gave any of this any thought. I just figured it was just the way I was raised to be organized and things get put up where you found them. But now that I have started researching OCD because my son was diagnosed with it. I am starting to think I have OCD. There are times when just one little thing being out of place will ruin the rest of my day. I get in a bad mood because it wasn't just right and then I am upset the rest of the day.
I am thinking of talking to my family doctor about this and see what he thinks. But for the mean time. Anyone that has this condition, does this sound like OCD to you? If so, any suggestions for me to help cope with this until I can see a doctor about it? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
6 responses
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
15 Jan 08
I'm OCD too but have never seeked treatment and have learned to deal with the little things and stop the bigger habits such as obsessing about cleaning. It did interfere with my last marriage and was a contributor to it failing. I have to have pillows just right and things not moved and magnets on my fridge a certain way and my daughter is the same way. She has a dollhouse and has to have it a certain way and don't dare move anything! For the most part it doesn't affect her life except she has anxiety on the computer. Such as if a video game isn't being played right or is left on without exiting by her younger brother she gets so out of sorts that she just can't take it. I try to get her to go in another room but it literally causes her to about have an anxiety attack. I would imagine the earlier you seek help for your child, the better. Also if you seek help than you can help him work through things together. Let us know what you find out!
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Thank you for the response. Since I have realized that I might have OCD and the same problems as my son having things just right. It has helped me understand better what my son goes through. So it is not so hard for me to connect with him when he is taking his time or gets upset. I am able to comfort him better because I know how it feels.
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Yes, hopefully we will both be able to help our children more.
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
15 Jan 08
It totally makes sense, maybe I will think about it too. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@prettiemammie (835)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Best thing to do is consult your doctor. After all they are the experts in this field and they would be able to help you further with your situation. Who knows they would be able give you a positive results or outlook with their diagnosis. If your appointment is not yet due, you can research in the internet. Or go to your nearest library they have a lot of books and other resources to learn from. Good luck and take care :).
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Thank you for your response. I have already done some research on Children with OCD, but I haven't yet looked up anything about Adults with OCD. So I will definitly have to do some more research on this subject before I go speak to the doctor about it.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
17 Jan 08
I have OCD and was diagnosed at a rather young age. The thing with OCD is, it can be hard to distinguish from other anxiety disorders if you really don't have much of anything else to go on. The thing with OCD to keep in mind is, if your rituals are causing distress and are causing you to miss things in your daily life, then it's definitely time to get help. However, it seems that some of what you are experiencing is just you being organized and getting frustrated because others are not organized like you are. Some people are just really particular about their behavior and how things are done, and if it's not done to their specifications, then it upsets them to the point they don't want to deal with it until they can do it how they wish to do it. OCD deals more with feeling and overwhelming need or complusion to do what you need to do and if you can't do it, then it absolutely drives you crazy because you can't do the rituals that help your anxiety.
For instance, some people have to count each and every step their take, everywhere they go. If they mess up, or don't step a certain way, then it drives them crazy to the point where they have to begin from the beginning all over again. And if they don't do it the right way, they will continue to do it, for as long as it takes, which means a few minutes, or days, which often means their life is interrupted because they can't stop doing it because it causes them extreme distress, which means they literally never get anything done because they are too busy obsessing over counting their steps or focusing on the way they walk.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
22 Jan 08
If you definitely feel strange though, I would go to a doctor, just to help put your fears to rest. They may actually diagnose you with a mild form of OCD or they may find another anxiety disorder that is causing the distress. I hope you get help and find out what's been bugging you lately. I know that it's not any fun to be putting up with distressing thoughts and feelings especially when you can't explain them.
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
22 Jan 08
I guess it could be another kind of Aniexty disorder. Never thought of that. So maybe it would be a good idea to at least talk to a doctor about it.
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
17 Jan 08
What you have said does make alot of sense. Thanks for explaining OCD in a different way than the websites I have looked at have. It is something I will definitly think more about before going to see a doctor.
@DJ9020 (1596)
• United States
15 Jan 08
I would say you definitely have OCD. My husband has it to some extent, although it does not interfere with his life. He can function, and I've got to say, he's a great housekeeper! My daughter also has OCD, and she takes medication for it. We had to take her out of school because she could not function with such a large crowd. She now goes to a charter school, but carries antiseptic wipes with her before she will touch the computer equipment. I also have wipes in my car at all times, and we have them around the house, too. When she is in a room, all the doors have to be closed or she gets very angry. We can't have the doors or windows open in the house if she's home. When she comes in, the first thing she does is close all the doors and draws the drapes. There is functional OCD, and then there's the disfunctional type that takes over your life. Good luck to you, and you might just find your life is a little easier on medication.
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Thank you for your response. The more and more I think about the condition. The more convenced I am that I have it. I actually been thinking about keeping a daily journal of my behaviors. What triggers me to become upset and what not. Not sure if it would be helpful, but hey it's worth a try. Sorry to hear what you have to go through with your daughter. I imagine it isn't easy. God Bless!
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
15 Jan 08
I had never even heard of this condition before, although I have run into some people that were like this!
I didn't know it had a name!
You know the military has OCD, that's the way they are! That's who I picked it up from, they taught me to be kinda like that, (organized)!
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
15 Jan 08
Musicman6, thank you for your response. It is surprising that some people haven't heard of this condition. Plus, you are definitly right about the military being OCD. That truly is the way they are. LOL!!! That's kind of funny, my father is retired Air Force. Yet, he wasn't the organized one in the family. My mom was.
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
14 Jan 08
My husband is OCD. He has to have the house clean, He will not sleep if there are dishes in the sink. He use to be so bad that when we vacuum the lines would have to be in a straight line from the vacuum. He use to go behind me and reclean everything. If i vacuumed he would re vacuum. That kind of stuff. He has gotten better but if he can't find something the first time he looks he gets very mad. He hates searching for things. If he can't find something he will search the whole house until he finds it. I don't know if that helps you but I would talk to your family dr. They are really the only ones that can tell you for sure. My husband went to counselling for his and it seems to have helped.
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Thanks for the advice. I am really thinking of asking the doctor about it. Because the more I think about it the more it seems to me that I most likely have OCD. Thinking about it. I have come to the realization that it is okay to be an organized person, but when it starts to affect my anxiety then it's a problem. As for things having to very clean, that doesn't bother me. If I am busy doing something and walk through the house and see dust or dirt on the floor. I am fine. I just make a mental note that it needs to be cleaned or the dirt picked up. But it doesn't upset me. For me, I just have to have things "just right" and organized.
