Is there anyone out their with OCD that feels compelled to do "checking" rituals?
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
745626
I have ADHD and OCD -- (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder) -- and it's very hard for me to concentrate on things that are typical for other people.  Things like housecleaning, for example.  If I am cleaning a cabinet, my OCD kicks in, and I'll completely disassemble the cabinet and clean the entire hinge mechanism, taking all day long to clean one cabinet door and reassemble it!\n\nBut then, the ADHD may kick in, and I'll get distracted, and the door may get ignored and not ever get reassembled!!  Yikes!\n\nBut I have coping mechanisms in place (finally!)  --  my family understands and realizes when I have gone into one of these phases, and will help get me through it;  I take medication for the ADHD and it saves my life, and I have checklists that help me stay on task.\n\nEvery day, though I am bound by some of my obsessions that I will always have:  I cannot go to sleep without throwing away exactly THREE things (who knows why??),  I have to double lock all the doors twice, and I can NEVER have the nutrition labels showing on the foods in my pantry.\n\nSince these are not harmful, they are just quirky things in my personality that we live through, and we try to overcome the rest.  Family and good doctors help us through the other stuff when it becomes too unbearable, and when all my cabinets are disassembled and laying in the floor!!
70514
recognize that you're being OC when you are. For example, I had this habit of thinking the front door was unlocked when I left. I KNEW I had locked it but I would have double check EVERY DAY until I realized I was just being obsessive compulsive. Not everything is that simple but if you recognize for what it is when you're doing the (specific action), you can walk your self thru (in your mind) to break your body of the habit.
826097
OCD is not just somebody who cleans, it may be that you have a form of it, have you spoken to your doctor?
1143261
ABOSLUTELY!  I do it all the time.  As a matter-of-fact, I just got done doing it today, just a few minutes ago.  And reading this question makes me want to do it again.  I feel the urge, must fight it, must fight it...
343253
Yes, this sounds like a case of OCD. It is characterized by unwanted thoughts that can interrupt your daily life. This site here...   \n\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=2\n\nMight help you.
801522
Make fun of us.  "Monk" pointsw out how perspicuous our disorder is.  Though not fully accepted by the public as a disability, OCD's are very real to us.  My mother called me up bawling and begging forgiveness after realization.  I would start with ridiculing us for the seemingly nonsensical and irrational reactions we have to seemingly rational situations.  I would then pound into the audience these perceptions are quite real to some of us.  You will likely gain a heightened interest by some simply because of the absurdity of the disorder and gain some sympethizers with some very real stories.  Before you mimnimize this disorder....I have fully come to terms with the fact my OCD's will ultimately contribute to the demise of my life and everything I have ever loved.  Beliefs or not, they will end me.
336586
Are you nervous?? I used to do that whenever I was anxious or nervous about something. I would catch myself doing it and eventually I stopped. You just have to make a conscious effort not to do it.
1125650
I can't say that you would qualify as someone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, but based on your post, you are certainly heading in that direction. \n\nAmericans are very obssessed about germs, odors, and the such (so are the Japanese). It's made worse by our being constantly bombarded by commercials making the issue seem more important than it really is. \n\nWhile good hygiene is obviously important, it can be carried to extreme. The skin is your first barrier against disease, and you can break down that barrier by over-cleaning it, drying it out, and washing away the natural oils that coat our skin.\n\nAlso, compulsive cleaning and other acts that over-protect the body have the potential to actually lower your immunity because you are not allowing the body to be challenged by normal everyday bacteria. As a result, your body has less resistance to normal bacteria and can be even more susceptible to the dangerous ones when they come along.\n\nBeing aware that you have a problem is the first step. You say that you resist some of your urges to clean so that is a positive sign. But if you feel you are getting out of control, you might want to speak with a counselor and find out where these compulsions come from.\n\nGood luck it you.
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.
352986
The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see a doctor or psychiatrist.  No one here (even though they sure try) can diagnose you as they are not medically qualified nor have they examined you and asked the necessary questions.\n\nThe good news is that IF you are diagnosed as OCD, there are treatments available.  Not everyone who checks a few times to see if a door is locked or does the same with the fridge is OCD.  So, please make an appointment and find out for sure.
941550
Yes!\n\nI actually have this problem, though not to that extent. I do, however, avoid mirrors etc. to the point of obsession. I live with my wife and kids and we have the normal amount of mirrors but I litterally go weeks without looking in them and when I do, I can never make eye contact.\nthe funny thing is, I never really realized it was a real problem others have and never even really thought much about it until reading this!\nThis is not a joke response. I'm going to ask my psychologist about this. I also have a weird thing about my real name. I hate it! it's a normal, average name, but I hate it so much I cringe whenever I hear it. My wife won't even call me by my name unless she's REALLY angry and uses it as a swear.\nI'm working on overcoming feelings of worthlessness and maybe this has something to do with the mirror avoidance. \nwow.\nThanks for posting question!
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.
42014
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive drive to perform a particular task or set of tasks, compulsions commonly termed rituals.
686967
I have OCD and I have a hard time leaving my house without checking everything a millon time well at least 3 I also wash my hands constantly and have a hard time in public restrooms I dont like germs and I dont like the feeling that I left someting on ie stove, coffee pot, curling iron,\nor that I might have forgot something so I walk through the house and sometime even turn around when 5 miles away cause I still think something might be on. I even have the kids walk through the house 1 a week with them germ rags so they dont get sick from germs on door handles tolet handles and so on and on if you have any of these problems you might have OCD anyway I am sure there are more but these are just the ones I have or can think of right now
957554
My ritual answer\n\nhttp://www.google.com/search?lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Ritual%20Questions
281302
I try to look at it as a spiritual journey, and that everything is just as it is supposed to be. \nPerhaps thats how I bullshit myself into thinking it is all for some grandiose reason and someday it will all make sense, but it helps me to keep my sanity