I got a reply today from both professors I was waiting to hear from. The professor I contacted telling him I had OCD said if I sign up, we can discuss any issues. The other is for a class not offered this fall, but he's saying I might be able to sign up for independent study (I hadn't heard of that). Anyway, some things to think about.

Perna, some of my classes are online, and that's taking a risk, because a lot of companies won't hire someone who's gone to college online. They feel you don't get the real "college experience" that way. I would much prefer all online classes.

MdngtRain, Thanks for your post. Sometimes that's exactly how it is for me...I'm trying to communicate one thing, and it comes out another way. People who don't see the world from your point of view won't always see what's so clear to yourself. As for the art supplies, in this class (different from my previous college), the professor tells you what supplies to get, so there's an advantage there (except maybe cost). In my last college, you bought an art kit with everything you need from the bookstore.

The meds I'm on, five of them are for anxiety and OCD already. And my physician wants me to get off of some of them, because they're affecting my health and sex drive. I feel that only a couple of them are really helping, anyway, but one of the ones that does really help may be causing many of my problems. I know all the reports, documentaries, talk shows, books, articles, etc., describe a person in an OCD situation as suffering anxiety, but I only feel anxiety if I know I'm about to get dirty (anxious from the anticipation), or if I do it suddenly by accident. After that, I'm no longer anxious, but rather irritated and frustrated. And angry, because I have to go through all the washing and crap.

amandalouise, thank you for sharing the info about yours friend. I hadn't thought about the gloves that go all the way up the arm; I didn't know they had them that far up, although I know farmers wear long ones when they have to insert their arm into a cow's behind to check for pregnancy (and whatever else they might do that for). I didn't know longer gloves might be publicly available. There's a medical supply store (probably more than one) not too far from me, so I could check there. If not, I'd probably have to order them from somewhere, since I'm pretty sure the local Walmart and chain stores don't have them. Maybe Home Depot would, I don't know. Anyway, that's what Google's for. Thanks!

Vossie42, you make a good point. I'm just a little sensitive and suspicious when I don't receive an answer right away (or at all) after revealing something personal like OCD, because it's happened a number of times. In this case, I will admit to jumping to conclusions, since the professor has responded now.

Thanks, all. I appreciate your support.