[Adelissa]

While thinking about past behaviors and trying to understand myself I thought I had some form of OCD but after reading the description of OCD I was unsure. I have never been obsessed with cleanliness or doing anything a repetitive number of times. My thing is planning. Since I was fairly young, maybe 12 or 13 I spent large chunks of time planning my future, at times in great detail. As I have gotten older (31) I don't do it as much but I recognize now that it wasn't really normal to do that. Like I bought stuff for my niece once who was 3 at the time to use when she was a lot older, I used to buy too much at the store to be sure we had a supply of something. I used to be extremely obsessed with what I wanted to name my babies, but now I can't have children so that resolved itself. I think the thing I obsess the most over is my wedding dress. Mind you I have never dated but I am obsessed with having the exact dress I want. One of my hobbies is designing dresses but it is usually connected with how I want my wedding dress to look. Am I just avoiding reality, like people do when they play games on the computer or read a lot or watch tv, like escapism? Or is it true OCD, I don't know but I would say it does affect my life a lot. The irony is I am somewhat spontaneous and impulsive at times. I hardly ever follow the intricate schedules I try to come up with for my day, never do half the things I plan to, I just have a real need for calendars and to do lists and a huge list of goals etc. I am trying to get rid of the word someday and live more in reality but I really would like to know if this is a recognized condition, whatever it is, or if it is something unique to me and my situation.

[unaluna]

Maybe a little prozac wouldn't hurt! I think that's what they usually prescribe for OCD. I have found schedules from like 5th grade, where I planned almost by the minute. I used to count when I walked or swam, very rhythmic. The counting has stopped since I have been on meds, what a relief! The shopping has eased up somewhat. Part of it is therapy, but I think a lot of it is the meds. I think "milder" cases just go undiagnosed. Which is probably not only unfortunate for the person, but for science in general. I would definitely talk to your T and / or gp or pdoc.