I believe I have OCD, not quite sure

I think I have OCD. I was diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder about 7 years ago but OCD especially hoarding runs in my family. I do a little bit of hoarding, like I buy a lot of things i may not be in need of and get mad at people when they throw some of my things away. I have a morning ritual and if anything disturbs that ritual, it causes a lot of anxiety in me. For instance, I was spending the night at a friends house, and she had forgotten to mention that I would have to shower at night, I never shower at night because in the morning I still feel gross, like i hadnt showered in days, and she knew this. She mentioned that I would have to take a shower at night because her parents were getting up at a certian time to get ready for church, I saw no problem in getting up earlier than them to get a shower because we too were going to church with her parents. This caused a big conflict between her and her family because my morning ritual clashed with theirs. I have to wash my hands 3x in the sink with soap and water during this ritual, to get makeup off my hands, because I apply makeup 3x during the ritual. Her parents wouldnt allow me to wash in the kitchen downstairs so I was forced to go against that compulsion and just wipe my hands with a damp towel. After that incident,I dodge the question anytime she invites me to sleep over. I feel as if she shouldnt invite me over if she knows that my morning routines go against her family's. Everytime I am over their house, I feel like I am holding them back from something and that I am a huge burden to them. Ever since that morning, I am quite certian I have OCD, although, I am going to school for behavioral science and studied that BDD is very similar to OCD because it comes from the same part of the brain. There is one distinct factor that seperates the 2, however, I am 100% convinced that I am hideous looking...

Hi,

I have to say that I believe it's OCD too. I have OCD diagnosed, and I have rituals like yours too. Like you, I have a strong ritual surrounding how and when I shower. It is generally at the same time every single day, and I even wash myself in exactly the same way whenever I get into the shower itself. Oh, I have one at night and one in the morning too. Some days, however, I could hagve three or four. You must have other rituals?; and/or are you a generally neat person?

BDD and OCD seem to go together quite a lot, and I must admit to having BDD symptoms in the past (and present, actually). Also, these illnesses occur in Asperger's Syndrome too.

Anyway, in your friend's defence, she doesn't live in an OCD world and therefore couldn't gauge how upset what happened made you. I have to make myself remember that those around me generally don't think in the same way that I do. I see people eating food at their desks everyday, for example, but they don't see the crumbs and c'ontamination' - i see it. It's actually cool whenever I encounter someone with OCD though, because we tend to get on together.

Kevin

wow that clears a lot up about me, I am also prone to panic attacks as well, which made me think that i may have it since it is an anxiety disorder. I take St Johns Wort for it and it seems to sort of prevent them. I am planning a long trip to NYC and a few times freaked out over the thought of forgetting things like, my toothbrush or deodorant. I thought it was more of a symptom of my BDD because my rituals are mostly somatic, but yes they do go hand in hand, like i mentioned before they come from the same part of the brain. The St Johns Wort, however, doesnt do anything for my ritualistic tendencies.

You knowe, St. John's Wort is only available on prescription in my home country (Ireland). It's an anti-depressant, or at least it's registered as such. Travelling around is difficult for me too, because i check that i have everything multiple times. Even when I'm on the airplane, I'll get freaked out that I've left something and then I'll have to check my bag (which would be in the overhead compartment!). It's tough. I recall going out one day and spending 30 minutes checking that I had my phones and wallet in my bag. I knew they were there, but when I looked away I doubted that I had seen them.

Kevin

hmm...maybe theres a way to get it online from the US, if you dont want it prescribed, because it is over the counter over here...
....that is very interesting

You're in the US, I assume? I think that it's off-prescription there so that more money can be made...! It is a similar case here in the UK: In supermarkest, you can buy a wide range of drugs that are only available through a doctor in Ireland. I realyl believe that it's all about money.

Chucky wrote:You're in the US, I assume? I think that it's off-prescription there so that more money can be made...! It is a similar case here in the UK: In supermarkest, you can buy a wide range of drugs that are only available through a doctor in Ireland. I realyl believe that it's all about money.

it seems like it, Yes I am from the US, haha, theres a store over here, [not sure if its in ireland, im assuming it is not bc of what u said about the St Johns Wort] called the Vitamin Shoppe. You can buy various things Over the counter. This shop in particular is all herbal. It seems that anything non-herbal, besides your common Motrin or acetaminophins, is prescription. Allergy medicine was prescription up until about 5yrs ago, now it is over the counter. I do agree with you on the money issue, because my allergy medicine is like 30 dollars over the counter, and I am not sure how much it was when prescribed I think it was cheaper

...the Vitamin Shoppe? - It doesn't surprise me, to be honest. THe pharma. industry over there is worth so much though, that it's in the benefit of the FDA to appove new drugs for ober-the -counter saler. My pharma. science lecturer used to tear shreds out of the US industry (ie by joking about them).

Kevin

Chucky wrote:...the Vitamin Shoppe? - It doesn't surprise me, to be honest. THe pharma. industry over there is worth so much though, that it's in the benefit of the FDA to appove new drugs for ober-the -counter saler. My pharma. science lecturer used to tear shreds out of the US industry (ie by joking about them).

Kevin

lol yeah..welll haha