do you have or think you have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)?
357350
I used to have it a lot.  I washed my hands ALL the time and took like 3 or 4 baths a day.  Couldn't eat anything that I didn't feel was clean enough, ended up crying all the time because I thought I was going to die of some weird sickness...had it for a long time but never took any medication for it.  Eventually it went away on its own.
144542
Sure, all mental illnesses can have varying degrees.  Some of your behaviors could be described as OCD-like, but I think the important questions to consider here are: 1) are your "compulsions" interfering with your daily life (do you spend hours and hours making sure each little thing is just perfect), 2) would you consider any of your habits to be harmful (as in washing one's hands 30 times a day to the point where your skin is irritated), and 3)are the things that you are doing actually compusive, or rather just personal preferences that are no cause for alarm?  It sounds, from your breif description, that your habits are merely habits.  Some people enjoy varying degrees of cleanliness and organization, and you just might be at one end of the spectrum.  Unless your cleaning preferences are really disruptive, it sounds like you're just a person who enjoys a certain order in their life.
1174195
Perfectionism? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
1140344
wow, I am really not sure. \n\nIt could be just simple obsessive compulsive disorder. You know how you hear of some people obsessing about germs, washing their hands every five minutes, only you are obsessing about being drugged instead.\n\nOr, it could be something deeper. Paranoia can be a symptom of other things. A real professional might be able to help you better. I am sure they will have a few questions to ask you to get a better idea of what other things are going on in your mind. \n\nMaybe you should find a good counselor and just get an eval done. You never know,  it might help you sort it out. Can't hurt anyway.
762879
Oh, yes. OCD can be exhausting.  It is a result of anxiety where other coping mechanisms are not present.  The compulsion to do certain rituals has brought me to tears.  And I think I will explode if I don't get that certain song out of my head.  The anxiety is overwhelming at times.  However, medication has helped tremendously.  It is now somewhat manageable.  It can be a debilitating illness.
713534
Yeah. Sometimes OCD is triggered by something, like a memory or occurance. It doesn't have to be constant, but it should be fairily regularily.
874577
I don't think there is ever a connection with OCD. I have it, too and some of the things I consistently do are really weird. Mine is a number thing mostly.
946900
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder; more specifically, it is an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but it is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.\n\nI have OCD and when I fight the fact that I have to do something, it stresses me out bad.  So I just do the things I have to and deal with that is how I am.
1160875
you may have ocd you jsut have to move on.
269863
Actually (this is going to sound stupid) I have both, so I'm compulsive I just keep randomly noticing things that irk my compulsions-- so funny, they seem so contradictory, but alas, no
746947
It might depend on what other symptoms you might have.  I don't have OCD, but I have very strong OCD tendancies.  So, I know that if my tendancies get worse or start to disrupt my life, I should seek help.\n\nif this is your only symptom, you might want to just work on overcoming it.\n\nGood luck.
259271
It sounds like you truely do have OCD. I take it you are underage and cannot obtain medical treatment on your own. If your parents refuse to have you treated please go as soon as you become of age. It can be very sucessfully treated with medication and or therapy.\n\nthis is from a web site:\n\nWhat are obsessions and compulsions?\nObsessions are recurrent, persistent, unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced involuntarily, appear to be senseless, and feel out of control. They commonly intrude when you are trying to focus on thinking or doing other things. Obsessions are often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings, such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a sensation that things have to be done in a way that is "just so." \n\nSome common obsessions include: \n\nfear of danger to oneself or others \nfear of contamination \na need for exactness or order \nA compulsion is a repetitive behavior - a ritual - that you feel driven to do, and seemingly cannot stop doing. Compulsions occur as a result of obsessions and represent your attempts to manage your incessant thoughts by doing something to try to settle them. For example, if an obsessive worry is whether or not the door was locked, then a compulsive response might be to check the lock repeatedly. Some common compulsive behaviors are: \n\nexcessive checking \ncounting \nsilent repetition of words \nhand washing \ncleaning \n ordering / arranging \ntouching \npraying \nhoarding \n \n\nObsessions and compulsions range from mild checking behavior (did I lock the door?) to severe cases where you are unable to function based on compulsions having taken over normal life functioning. If we think of obsessive-compulsive traits and behaviors on a continuum of varying degrees and intensities, most people experience them with little or no negative consequence on their daily lives and relationships. \n\nWhen obsessions, compulsions, and perfectionist behaviors take up excessive time and significantly interfere with your daily life and relationships, it is time to seek help. When this occurs, the repetitive and seemingly out-of-control behaviors of obsession and compulsion may be indicative of a disorder that should be addressed with the help of a licensed professional. \n\nIf: \n\nyou feel unable to keep up with your normal appearance and behavior, \nyou can’t work, \nyou cut off connections with friends and families and are unable to socialize, or \nyou can’t take care of yourself and have trouble eating, sleeping, bathing, etc. \nit is time to seek help! \nBehavioral therapy with medications seems to offer the best long-term improvement for the treatment of OCD. Even though you probably realize that your anxiety and behaviors are excessive and irrational, changing them is not a simple matter. Most people with OCD require assistance from a qualified therapist.\n\nCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Generally viewed as the most effective form of psychotherapy for treating most anxiety disorders, CBT involves the use of such techniques as: \nthought-stopping \ngradual challenging of irrational behaviors \nidentifying triggers and separating them from the feelings of extreme fear and the desire to avoid certain situations \nsystematic desensitization focused on the physical sensations of your anxiety \n"post-modern" therapies (such as Narrative and Solution-Focused models), which may help by placing the symptoms outside you and allowing you to tell a new story about them. \nPsychoeducation: One of the difficulties with OCD is the confusion about this disorder. It is frustrating for the individual and family members to manage a situation that is so misunderstood. An early and important part of treatment is getting a good education in what is known about this disorder. \nMedications: Certain anti-depressants (usually SSRIs) or other anti-anxiety medications have had good success with many people who suffer from OCD. It appears that these medications act
804417
you probably have OCD, This can be cured u have to go to a doctor or whatever, but it an be fixed...\nmy sister had this and thank god she is cured now...coz it keeps getting worse and worse and worse.\nbest of luck to you.\n-Dee
1158135
do you have an obsession?
544675
OCD...Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.   Or perhaps you just have very high-strung expectations for yourself.  Many are obsessed with perfection although it doesn't make one mentally ill per say.
338792
Probably obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).\nMost idealists do.
1023993
Obssessive Compulsive Disorder is a very disturbing and impeding the life condition. The best treatment is with SSRI antidepressants(especially Venflaxine),sometimes with a combination antipsychotic drugs. The best therapies are Cognitive and Group Therapies in addition to the medications prescribed. By the way,the serotonin is not of too vital importance for OCD as to depression..As to the foods,chocolate ,bread,pasta,etcmake possible syntesing of more serotonine in the brain..Best of luck!!