Is this OCD?

I hate to self-diagnose here, but I've been trying to figure this out for years, and I'm hoping ya'll can help. When I was 6, I received a severe frontal lobe injury, ever since then, I have subconsciously bitten my nails/cuticles, and when I dont do that, I pick at them. Also, I have a habit of keeping excess papers(envelopes, junkmail, etc.), tho I share this trait with my father. Does this sound like OCD to anyone here? I have had these symptoms for 20 years now, but have yet to speak to a doctor or therapist about them. Do I need to? Please help.

Picking/biting at skin may be related to OCD, but isn't OCD in and of itself. Hoarding, also, is related to OCD, but you will probably need to talk to a mental health professional to be sure. Do you need to speak to a mental health professional? Well, that's kind of up to you. Do these behaviors impact your quality of life? Do they impact your work, your social life, or your relationships in the family? Are they causing you distress? If so, it doesn't matter if it is OCD or something else. The point is, if your behaviors are causing you distress or interfering in your life, that is when you should talk to a therapist about them. If they're no big deal to you or to anyone around you, then they're not a problem, right?

Hi there,

These are definitely two symptoms than can be related to OCD. Does that merit you a full diagnosis? I can't say. You'd have to consult your pdoc and receive their opinion, if these symptoms are really bothering you. Best of luck to you!