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Do I have OCD? Is this considered Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
First off, I'm 21 years old. I'm not obsessively neat or anything but I do have this thing about checking things over and over again and worry that something horrible will happen if I fail to do something. For example, I set 4 alarm clocks because I think if I'm late to work, I'll be fired, even though I've never been late and know a first time offense doesn't warrant firing. This sounds weird, but I always check light switches and unplug everything in my bedroom before leaving for the day. I can't leave without doing that.
Another thing I do is replay in my head every conversation I've had that day and somehow manage to find something horrible I said or did in each one. For example, I was joking around with my boss today and now I'm being paranoid that maybe he didn't understand I was joking, even though he seemed to be laughing about it along with two of my co-workers, and will have it out for me from now on. This has me really, really worried right now.
There are dozens of other things that I won't list, but when is it the time to go to a doctor and what can they do for OCD if that's what I have? Does this sound normal, maybe? I don't want to have a disorder, especially OCD!
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If you want a legitimate diagnosis, seek medical attention. I do know from my studies (I'm a medical student), that there can sometimes be a fine line between just showing symptoms of OCD, and actually being diagnosed with it.
The main point about OCD is that while it sounds like you may have some signs, such as recurring rituals or fear that terrible things will happen if you don't do things a certain way, it will be diagnosed officially if this is something that affects your daily life. I know it may sound complicated, because you already notice these things, but there is a difference between just noticing your rituals and whether it stops you from doing your "every day life" things.
For example, if your rituals actually made you late to work since you had to check things a certain number of times, and it became a habit that you were aware of, others noticed and pointed out to you, but you could not free yourself from it, then that's an example of how it is interfering with your everyday life. Taking excessive amounts of time for routine activities is an indicator of this. Also, if you lose touch with people, in terms of your communication skills with them and reach a point where rituals or other things prevent you from properly telling them what you need to or follow a conversation, then that would be another instance of how it is affects your daily life.
Once these ideas, thoughts, and actions consume you, pull you away from your family and other things you need to devote time to for your physical and mental health (such as losing sleep over it), then it can be easier to diagnose as OCD.
The treatments for OCD vary, but most often are combined with behavioral therapy and medication. Somewhat of a "baby-step" approach is taken to gradually help the patient. You can see a doctor at any time about this, the sooner the better. If you already feel like these problems may be consuming you and your daily activities, then don't wait much longer. Feel free to ask me other questions about it if you need more information. Hope that helped and good luck.
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Checking things over again isn't necessarily OCD, but it could be. Like if there's a specific routine done a specific amount of times.
I'm certainly not a doctor, and really no one on here should be diagnosing you, but I think you're showing some signs of it.
Honestly, I think I have OCD, I have certain things I have to do for certain situations that are OCD-like. But it doesn't make me any different as a person.
The conversation thing doesn't sound OCD, because I think everyone does that. That's just wanting to make a good impression.
I would see a doctor. They'll know best.
--Jack
(17/m)
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