Does this sound like OCD?

I'm attempting to learn more about ocd. I'm not looking to receive a diagnosis here as I will be seeing a therapist soon. I'll mention this but i'm not sure what it might be categorized under. Anxiety? BDD? OCD? Low self esteem?

I have a habit of picking facial and body hair because I was bullied alot of years due to it. It's like a mild case of hirsutism. I have to pluck before I go outside. That includes prior to jogs. I also do it again before bed. It's not imagined, if I don't do it I feel hideous and gross. I could never go outside without doing this. There are days where i'm dressed, ready to head out, and i notice a hair. Maybe it's embedded, and i cant grasp it so I make my skin raw. Then give up and dont go out. Another thing that's started more recently is being unable to wear my hair tied back outside, except for jogging because I have to. My hair covers my face and I fear people will stare and make fun of me if it's up in a bun or ponytail. I've feared going for hikes, to the beach, and swimming pools because of this. Pretty sad I never learned how to swim. Also can't change my clothes around other females. The fear of ridicule is intense, and it's the one thing I obsess over daily. I look in mirrors out of habit to make sure I look "ok", but even then if someone is talking to me it replays in my mind. Especially if they're not holding eye contact but looking at my face instead. Which leads to anxiety.

What do you guys think it falls under?

Much thanks,
Ziva

Ziva wrote:Anxiety? BDD? OCD? Low self esteem?

They sound like reasonable possibilities to me. My guess is that OCD is perhaps less likely than the others because you say the problem is not imagined, and it doesn't sound like the compulsive plucking is as much of an issue for you as is the fear of being ridiculed. A couple of other possibilities could be trichotillomania (which often correlates with OCD, but is not the same thing as OCD) and having avoidant personality traits or social anxiety. Maybe have a look around the various forums and see what resonates with you the most? Or wait for the therapist’s opinion?

Ziva wrote:I also do it again before bed.

Why do you think you do it before bed? Do you think you could stop doing it every night? (Maybe try for every second night?)

Good luck with the therapist.