I am almost 100% positive I have OCD, should I get it diagnosed anyway?

Question

I have the rituals:

-Hand washing

-Peeking out window before I get in bed

-Turning my clock light on and off

-must turn to right side in bed

-chair must be at 90 degree angle

-germ-x

-saying goodnight over and over

-rugs more to right than left

etc.

I know I have OCD. Should I have it Professionaly diagnosed? If not how can I treat it! I need support!

Answer 1

I agree that you definitely have OCD, but if you feel that it's interfering with your daily life (it can be quite time-consuming) and want to seek help, I suggest seeing either a behavioral therapist or a doctor who can prescribe drugs that can help you. I suggest seeking treatment, as obsessive compulsive symptoms tend to get worse and more intense as time goes on. Seeking therapy can help you understand why the behavior started (especially if there are "consequences" involved for NOT going through the rituals) or help you to form healthier habits. Another good thing that's helped me to do (I have OCD and its been almost debilitating at times) is to avoid performing a ritual, as uncomfortable as it may be, and seeing for yourself that whether you perform the ritual or not is of no consequence. I hope this helps.  

Answer 2

You should definitely make an appointment with your Doctor.

Whether or not you "have" OCD depends not just on your symptoms (everyone has obsessive or "crazy" thoughts or engages in ritualistic behaviours from  time to time) but also on how bad they are and how much it is affecting your life.

But from personal experience, if you think you have it you probably do, and trust me, its better to do something about it now, than when it gets worse. Help is available, you are not weird or alone.

"Hope" is exactly right, by the way.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

yep you shoùld get it diagnosed than you can get the support and help you need maybe even medication to control it. good luck either way

Answer 4

u should just 2 make shure

Answer 5

Even if you have hit on the mark for your diagnosis,

it will really do you no benefit unless you follow-through with the matching treatment.  Without the correct treatment, OCD is simply a name.

The nature of Therapy/Counseling is much like standing infront of a 3-way mirror.  You have the opportunity to view yourself from someone else's viewpoint.  As you observe how the rest of the world views you, you gain insight into what is going on inside of you....then you'll practice, and try, and practice some more as you learn new methods to live through a day, in a more healthy way, taming your anxiety.   On your own, without the input of a trained person, you'll just be spinning your wheels in the sand uselessly.

Answer 6

Well let me start by saying, I am majoring in Social Work and we study alot about people with OCD, Mental illness, abusive parents, neglected kids, etc.  I honestly think you have OCD.  However, I do think you should see a doctor and have them give you a diagnosis because they can help you with your problem.  It is a mental illness and could be more serious than you think.  Be careful because they will try to scam you and get your money, so do research in the library also.  Good luck and know that their are alot more people with OCD.  They might not have it as bad or it could be in a different way.  For example, holding on to clothes that you will never wear.  collecting objects and all sorts.  God Bless!

Answer 7

oy vey...

OCD may be annoying, but the only way to treat it is to relax. try forcing yourself not to be compulsive.

On a side note, continual use of Germ X and other no-water hand washing systems is bad for the world. It will aid in the developing of a virus resistant to antiseptic. So avoid using it if at all possible.

Answer 8

There's nothing wrong with you.  Your obsessions/compulsions are harmless.  You don't need to go to a shrink.  Save your money for your other obsessions/compulsions like shopping.

Answer 9

Yes, it is best to get your condition professionally diagnosed--especially if your symptoms are interfering with your life and/or daily routine.

A professional diagnosis opens treatment doors...your therapist will know how to talk with you, and your doctor (GP or psychiatrist) will know what medication(s) to prescribe.

Answer 10

I share several identical and similar habits, and I am sure I have it as well, despite never being properly diagnosed. I know what you are going through.

If you can see a professional, go for it, but I don't know if there is too much they can give you other than therapy. I never have seen one. You need time by yourself to think, to cry, to sort through your emotions. Setting very small goals and rewarding yourself from resisting that temptation is great, too. I know how hard it is, and you already offered to read more of what I've written in a previous question already, (the 'Do you think I'm a good writer?' question) so I added you as a contact. Let me know whenever you need support!!

*hug*

readandwrite95 (:

Answer 11

Yes just to make sure and get any help you could get, also you don't want to be misdiagnose.

Answer 12

I heard that OCD runs in families.  My aunt has it and when me and my brother became teenagers we both started doing OCD-like things, like turning the light on and off and other rituals that drove my life crazy !  I tried to hide from everyone though.  At the time there wasn't much known about OCD so no one in my family was ever diagnosed or saught help.  But it's wierd because as me and my brother got older the OCD became less and less and now I don't switch lights on and off or do any of those rituals anymore.  It just went away by itself which is wierd.  I heard as a teenager you have higher levels of certain chemicals in your brain like seratonin and then as you get older they level off.  I'm so glad those rituals are gone because they were very hard to live with.  But from time to time when im stressed or nervous certain rituals still pop up.  But you should do what you want.  If you feel like you need to be diagnosed and treated with meds or need a support group then you should go for it.  When i was younger OCD was never talked about and it was something you had to keep secret.  It's good there is more attention being brought to OCD.  Good luck.

Answer 13

If you want to fix it, you will need professional help.  If you don't mind the OCD, then don't worry about it.