Social OCD??

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well!
This is my first post on the forums. Thank you for making this a comfortable place to talk.

I have been going through a rather rough time as of late with my condition. I have not been able to find any other threads about my specific condition, so I am going to try to explain it below, forgive me if it is not fully formed.

My doctor says that I have OCD, but I do not have outward compulsions, it is mainly my thoughts that pester me. My obsessions surround social situations and my social interactions. I am constantly dissecting my social interactions and constantly worried that I am not doing it right. It is almost like perfectionism around social situations. It is also like body dimorphic disorder but with my personality. Because of this all my social interactions are formulated and intentional. The spontaneity I used to have is gone, and now I feel fake and unsure of who I truly am as I am constantly obsess over situations. For example, if I am in a car driving with someone I will be constantly thinking what should I say, how should I say it? I am constantly on edge. I can never really be in a moment or a conversation because I am focused on what I am doing right/wrong. Its like hyper vigilance. I am also worried about hurting someone by saying the wrong thing. This makes every interaction one of worry. I am not really shy as I am someone who enjoys socializing and wish I could do it without the pain or anxiety. I wish I could just be unintentional.Given this anxiety I often feel alone and alienated because I then doubt all of my relationships.

Also, I have other symptoms of OCD like intrusive thoughts about OCD and many moments where I have to imagine things exactly right. So I might have the pure-o form of OCD where my intrusive thoughts are constant self doubt. I am currently seeing a psychiatrist but this condition is becoming really worrisome as I just want to be asleep at all times because I can then turn my mind off. I was wondering if you had any suggestions. Sorry this was so long and thanks so much for reading.

hi. welcome to the forum Malcolmshashi. i'm sorry to hear that you've been going through a rough time

from what you have described and you've been diagnosed, yeah you're right, it sounds like Pure-O. OCD without/with less physical compulsion. so mostly just obsession or intrusive thoughts. the compulsion in pure-O sufferers is called by mental compulsion as far as i know.

hmm, i think you should be willing to accept the uncomfortable thought and feelings. just label it with irrational thought/ocd thoughts. the anxiety will be gone eventually..

also, mindfulness technique can also help you for pure-O, so you can take a look at it

i really hope you get the help you need from pdoc. good luck on your ocd journey.. (: