if a person suffered from OCD--should they seek out treatment from a doctor?
342031
I think they should seek help. They could possibly be holding up the telephone lines for those who truly have an emergency.
756062
Somone who needs to see a physician.
1164167
You definitely want to see a doctor, but not a narrow specialist in SUCH kind of a problem. The most likely one is a physician in a local ambulatory center. But if you have a relative in this area, it's even better. Don't be too shy. Keep in mind that this is about your future. Be brave! Let God bless you with a good health!!!
957645
Might I recommend a good psychiatrist for you!
1009390
i would go to a doctor..
577700
Maybe you have OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
398554
I have OCD, but a different kind.  i once felt like exploring the different kinds of OCD, and found out some pretty interesting stuff.  Here's what i found:\n\nObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.\nThe typical OCD sufferer performs tasks (or compulsions) to seek relief from obsessions. To others, these tasks may appear odd and unnecessary. But for the sufferer, such tasks can feel critically important, and must be performed in particular ways to ward off dire consequences and to stop the stress from building up. Examples of these tasks: repeatedly checking that one's parked car has been locked before leaving it; turning lights on and off a set number of times before exiting a room; repeatedly washing hands at regular intervals throughout the day.\nAnother symptom of the disorder is fear of contamination; some sufferers may fear the presence of human body secretion such as saliva, sweat, tears or mucus, or excretions such as urine or feces. Some OCD sufferers even fear the soap they're using is contaminated.\nObsessions are thoughts and ideas that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about. Common OCD obsessions include fears of acquiring disease, getting hurt, or causing harm to someone. Obsessions are typically automatic, frequent, distressing, and difficult to control or put an end to by themselves. People with OCD who obsess about hurting themselves or others are actually less likely to do so than the average person.\nCompulsions refer to actions that the person performs, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the obsession go away. For an OCD sufferer who obsesses about germs or contamination, for example, these compulsions often involve repeated cleansing or meticulous avoidance of trash and mess. Most of the time the actions become so regular that it is not a noticeable problem. Common compulsions include excessive washing and cleaning; checking; hoarding; repetitive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and ordering; and other ritualistic behaviors that the person feels will lessen the chances of provoking an obsession. Compulsions can be observable — washing, for instance — but they can also be mental rituals such as repeating words or phrases, or counting.\nMost OCD sufferers are aware that such thoughts and behavior are not rational, but feel bound to comply with them to fend off fears of panic or dread. Because sufferers are consciously aware of this irrationality but feel helpless to push it away, untreated OCD is often regarded as one of the most vexing and frustrating of the major anxiety disorders.\nPeople who suffer from the separate and unrelated condition obsessive compulsive personality disorder are not aware of anything abnormal with them; they will readily explain why their actions are rational, and it is usually impossible to convince them otherwise. People who suffer with OCPD tend to derive pleasure from their obsessions or compulsions. Those with OCD do not derive pleasure but are ridden with anxiety. This is a significant difference between these disorders.\n\nEqually frequent, these rationalizations do not apply to the overall behavior, but to each instance individually; for example, a person compulsively checking their front door may argue that the time taken and stress caused by one more check of the front door is considerably less than the time and stress associated with being robbed, and thus the check is the better option. In practice, after that check, the individual is still not sure, and it is still better in terms of time and stress to do one more check, and this reasoning can continue as long as necessary.\n\nNot all OCD sufferers engage in compulsive behavior. Recent
309591
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.\n\nThe phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause (Felix Unger). Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, is not necessarily suffering from OCD, a specific and well-defined disorder.\n\n\nSee Symptoms and Causes by viewing link below. It's really too long to display.
905255
Absolutely.  Your family doctor is always your first line of defense!  He can refer you to a specialist if he deems necessary, and usually a referral will get you an appointment faster than you just calling up as a new patient.  Many times specialists only see new patients via professional referral. Always discuss every health concern with your family doctor....and then, if you don't get the answers you want, get a second opinion!  Good luck!!
313781
I would consult a doctor.
782283
Have you officially been diagnosed with OCD for these symptoms? The reason I ask is because your symptoms sound more like generalized anxiety disorder. \n\nOCD is an obsession with something (like germs) and acting on it in an exessive manner (like cleaning obsessively). However, your symptoms seem more like a fixated fear of HIV and substances that could spread the disease than the obsession and compulsion that is the trademark of OCD. \n\nI suggest talking to your doctor or psychiatrist about what you described here. He or she may decide to give you meds that will help with the anxiety related to these thoughts. \n\nHope this helps!
168673
I personally think that you should check with a doctor.
163140
The typical OCD sufferer performs tasks (or compulsions) to seek relief from obsessions. To others, these tasks may appear simple and unnecessary. But for the sufferer, such tasks can feel critically important, and must be performed in particular ways for fear of dire consequences and to stop the stress build up. Examples of these tasks: repeatedly checking that one's parked car has been locked before leaving it; turning lights on and off a set number of times before exiting a room; repeatedly washing hands at regular intervals throughout the day.\n\nOCD rituals are often bound up with intricate detail — detail that may seem arbitrary to outsiders. Smokers with OCD, for instance, may argue with themselves that quitting cigarettes is possible only on the 13th or 27th of a month, and only when they are in possession of four cigarettes at noon.\n\nAnother symptom of the disease is fear of contamination; some sufferers may fear the presence of human body secretion such as saliva, sweat, tears or mucus, or excretions such as urine or feces. Some OCD sufferers even fear the soap they're using is contaminated.(Source)\n\nObsessions are thoughts and ideas that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about. Common OCD obsessions include fears of acquiring disease, getting hurt, or causing harm to someone. Obsessions are typically automatic, frequent, distressing, and difficult to control or put an end to by themselves. People with OCD who obsess over hurting themselves or others are actually less likely to do so than the average person.\n\nCompulsions refer to actions that the person performs, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the obsession go away. For an OCD sufferer who obsesses about germs or contamination, for example, these compulsions often involve repeated cleansing or meticulous avoidance of trash and mess. Most of the time the actions become so regular that it is not a noticeable problem. Common compulsions include excessive washing and cleaning; checking; hoarding; repetitive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and ordering; and other ritualistic behaviors that the person feels will lessen the chances of provoking an obsession. Compulsions can be observable — washing, for instance — but they can also be mental rituals such as repeating words or phrases, or counting.\n\nMost OCD sufferers are aware that such thoughts and behavior are not rational, but feel bound to comply with them to fend off fears of panic or dread. Because sufferers are consciously aware of this irrationality but feel helpless to push it away, OCD is often regarded as one of the most vexing and frustrating of the major anxiety disorders.\n\nPeople who suffer from the separate and unrelated condition obsessive compulsive personality disorder are not aware of anything abnormal with them; they will readily explain why their actions are rational, and it is usually impossible to convince them otherwise. People who suffer with OCPD tend to derive pleasure from their obsessions or compulsions. Those with OCD do not derive pleasure but are ridden with anxiety. This is a significant difference between these disorders.\n\nEqually frequently, these rationalisations do not apply to the overall behavior, but to each instance individually; for example, a person compulsively checking their front door may argue that the time taken and stress caused by one more check of the front door is considerably less than the time and stress associated with being robbed, and thus the check is the better option. In practice, after that check, the individual is still not sure, and it is still better in terms of time and stress to do one more check, and this reasoning can continue as long as necessary.\n\nNot all OCD sufferers engage in compulsive behavior. Recent years have seen increased diagnoses of Pure Obsessional OCD, or "Pure O." This form of OCD is manifested entirely within the mind, and involves obsessive ruminations triggered by certain thou
294660
I would see your regular doctor and ask him to refer you to a specialist
546940
You don't mention if you have tried to get professional help for dealing with this. There are some therapies which help people with OCD better cope with this disorder. And professionals who understand OCD could also help your family better understand what you are dealing with and why you can't just stop doing what you are doing. You need to support from outside your family. Often, there is a genetic component to OCD, so you may not be the only person in your family who has ever had this problem. (There is a strain of this in my family, but it involves the hording impulse instead of the washing impulse.) One thing that could help with your family, if you get cable, is to watch the show "Monk" on the USA Network. He's a detective who suffers from OCD. Even though it's fiction, it might help your family get some perspective on what your life is like and may make it easier for you to talk to them. Also, they need to understand that you are not unique, that a lot of other people share your problem.
333776
There is a difference between thinking there is a good reason why you have it and letting it interfere with your life. You could be able to identify the cause but if it is interfering with your daily activities or you feel uncomfortable about it I would seek treatment. For example, if you have a cut on your hand and you know where it came from thats helpful (i.e. so you know whether or not to get a tetnus shot, etc.) but would you just decide to let it bleed and not treat it because you know where it came from? There is a great book called "The Imp of the Mind" that addresses the issue of being comfortable with your obsessive compulsive thoughts. Good Luck!
435284
sure, you could have OCD, or an anxiety disorder, or a number of other conditions.  the symptoms you've listed are classic signs of OCD (washing, counting), but are also signs of other problems. you seem very troubled by it all, so it's probably serious, and seems to interfere with your daily life, so you should get professional help right away. if you're not sure who to go to, ask your doctor for suggestions. it sounds like you're a minor, so your parents will need to pay the bills and consent to any treatment, but you still have privacy, they'll only know what you want them to. talk to them about it, then go to a psychiatrist. it might help if you take a copy of your question, and write down anything else that you notice, when you go.  sometimes, it's hard to remember everything, and will be easier if you have a lot written down. be open when you talk with the therapist, and on any tests that you take to come to a diagnosis. it's important that you get help soon, the longer you go without it, the more serious your problem can become.  OCD can also lead to depression, self-harm, etc. so get help soon.\nBest of luck to you!\nadditional information that may be helpful:\n"Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common mental illness in which people feel burdened by unwanted thoughts or forced to repeat troublesome actions. Unwanted thoughts, called obsessions, often include unreasonable fear of dirt or germs. Another common obsession involves fear of losing control and hurting oneself or others. Many patients also feel a need to perform repeated actions, called compulsions, to prevent harmful events. Some wash their hands excessively to avoid infection. Unreasonable repetition of everyday routines--for example, checking that faucets or stoves are turned off--is also common. \nMost people have certain routines and habits that they find comforting. For example, a person may like to get dressed or prepare for bed in a certain way. But most people can change their routines when the need arises. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel trapped and unable to change, even though they know that their obsessions and compulsions are unrealistic. \nMany experts believe that obsessive-compulsive disorder involves an imbalance in serotonin, one of the brain's most important messenger chemicals. Doctors may treat the disorder with medicines that correct serotonin levels. People may also be helped by behavior therapy, which teaches patients ways to resist their unreasonable thoughts and actions."\n\n"Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses in which a person experiences excessive and unreasonable fear and anxiousness. They include (1) panic disorder, (2) obsessive-compulsive disorder, (3) generalized anxiety, and (4) phobias...Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by illogical and uncontrollable thoughts or impulses that result in obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are persistent thoughts that the person considers senseless or terrible but cannot ignore. The most common obsessions include thoughts of committing violent acts or becoming infected by germs. Compulsions are actions performed again and again with little purpose, such as repeated handwashing or counting objects. \nPeople with compulsions sometimes believe their actions will produce or prevent some future event. For example, a girl may believe her father will die if she does not perform a series of ritualistic actions each day. People with compulsions usually realize the senselessness of their behavior and do not enjoy performing the repetitive rituals. In severe cases, the compulsion becomes the person's major activity and thus prevents the individual from leading a normal life...Generalized anxiety is a persistent fear without obvious cause that lasts 6 months or longer. Its symptoms include muscle tension, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and hot or cold spells. People with generalized anxiety constantly worry that something te