[KatieUR]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been diagnosed with OCD but was wondering if I could possibly have it.

I'm 25 now, and have had this for at least several years, probably close to 10 years. I don't remember when it started exactly and what was the trigger. Is there often a trigger which starts off OCD?

I was wondering if OCD often gets worse over time? I say this because what I have has been pretty steady and is only worse at times where I feel I have a lot on my plate or am feeling anxious or stressed about something. I'm not sure if I should seek professional help.

I do things in 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's - For example, I'm doing something and I feel my thumb touch 2 fingers, that 'equals' 3. I don't like odd numbers (!), so I tell myself that I need to 'make 10' and then it will be mission completed. So I tap my thumb on one finger, and that equals 2, now total 5, but I like equal numbers of 10's, 20's, etc, so I do it again to make a total of 10. I mainly do this OCD thing with my hands but sometimes it can be with other things like with my teeth touching together.

Asides from this, I don't really think I have other symptoms which I've read about in which OCD can be present - Like overly cleaning etc.

One thing I am not sure about, is the intrusive thoughts symptom - Sometimes something seems to switch in my head and I think to do something like scream on a quiet bus for example or another impulsive thing... I won't go in to the other thoughts as they're pretty weird! Is that also a symptom of OCD, or not exactly?

Thanks in advance!

Katie.

[Storms]

I think I'm in the same boat with you, KatieUR. I'm not for sure because I haven't been diagnosed either but from everything I've seen on this site about OCD a lot of it seems to fit the description. Intrusive thoughts, a need of symmetry in objects or numbers. And from what I've read it can be brought on by anxiety and stress, and in some cases, if untreated, can get worse over time. Just in case you feel alone on the whole counting thing, I'll let you in on one of my little quirks too, sometimes when I make a statement while walking, I have to split up the words into syllables and use a syllable for every step, so let's say I said "I ran there." (3 syllables) and started on my right foot, the sentence would also end on my right foot, so NEEDING it to be even I would either say it over in my head again at least 1 time (in order to make the number of sentences, syllables and footsteps a multiple of two) and walk it out, or say a random one syllable word out loud and look like an idiot. lol. I also do the teeth touching thing but in multiples of 4. lol. Hope this helped in some way. -Storms

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by KatieUR

Hi everyone,

I haven't been diagnosed with OCD but was wondering if I could possibly have it.

I'm 25 now, and have had this for at least several years, probably close to 10 years. I don't remember when it started exactly and what was the trigger. Is there often a trigger which starts off OCD?

I was wondering if OCD often gets worse over time? I say this because what I have has been pretty steady and is only worse at times where I feel I have a lot on my plate or am feeling anxious or stressed about something. I'm not sure if I should seek professional help.

I do things in 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's - For example, I'm doing something and I feel my thumb touch 2 fingers, that 'equals' 3. I don't like odd numbers (!), so I tell myself that I need to 'make 10' and then it will be mission completed. So I tap my thumb on one finger, and that equals 2, now total 5, but I like equal numbers of 10's, 20's, etc, so I do it again to make a total of 10. I mainly do this OCD thing with my hands but sometimes it can be with other things like with my teeth touching together.

Asides from this, I don't really think I have other symptoms which I've read about in which OCD can be present - Like overly cleaning etc.

One thing I am not sure about, is the intrusive thoughts symptom - Sometimes something seems to switch in my head and I think to do something like scream on a quiet bus for example or another impulsive thing... I won't go in to the other thoughts as they're pretty weird! Is that also a symptom of OCD, or not exactly?

Thanks in advance!Yeah I know what you are going through .I have the bad thoughts and washing hands all day and I cannot standfamily ocd because I cant even read a book without having to ccount over and over .And It bad thoughts like harming a familyvalium member or a stranger.They got me on zoloft and thats not working.But they have me on valium and ritlin.Hope things
go good with you ocd .I doubt if there a cure for ocd .But keep In touch and let us know how things are going
Katie.

[Berries]

Whatever it is, ocd or not do the symptoms cause a lot of distress for you, do they interfere with work, school, or relationships? I would say do seek professional help.

[Skully]

I do pretty much the same thing you do. I have not been diagnosed with OCD yet but I am going to talk to my pdoc. I love to count a lot. When I am driving I count the number of trees I drive by or the number of telephone poles I see. I hate ending in odd numbers.

[Junerain]

No one can diagnose you except for a doctor, but to get an idea of the things to look for, here is PC's quiz- you can bring the results to a doctor..

http://psychcentral.com/ocdquiz.htm

I got diagnosed with OCD. one of my things was that i had to do everything in multiples of 3