Do I Have OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a relatively common neurological illness in which patients suffer from obsessive thoughts and repetitive behavior to a point in which the thoughts and behavior can prevent the patient from performing routine activities.

Some common obsessions are:

• Fear of dirt or germs
• Disgust with bodily waste or fluids
• Concern with order, symmetry (balance), and exactness
• Worry that a task has been done poorly, even when the person knows this is not true
• Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts
• Thinking about certain sounds, images, words, or numbers all the time
• Need for constant reassurance
• Fear of harming a family member or friend

Some common compulsions are:

• Cleaning and grooming, such as washing hands, showering, or brushing teeth over and over again
• Checking drawers, door locks, and appliances to be sure they are shut, locked, or turned off
• Repeating actions, such as going in and out of a door, sitting down and getting up from a chair, or touching certain objects several times
• Ordering and arranging items in certain ways
• Counting to a certain number, over and over
• Saving newspapers, mail, or containers when they are no longer needed
• Seeking constant reassurance and approval

If you believe that you suffer from OCD and that your behavior and actions are interfering with your ability to lead a normal life then it is imperative that you meet with a doctor. Only a doctor can give a definitive OCD diagnosis and then make recommendations on how to treat the illness.