[MichaelSacha]

I have not ever been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder although I am only seventeen and am an obsessive person, just not usually in an OCD way. The thing is that over the last couple of weeks I've started portraying kind of worrying behaviors that are starting to really get to me. As a child I was always easily grossed by germs and such, no one was allowed to drink or eat out of the same cup or bowl, I'd write in very organised ways with preciseness and very evenly but nothing of any real concern. Now though, I've become somewhat preoccupied with these other traits. Like when I walk, I count my steps in groups of twelve, or I can only have a minimum of four glasses of water for example. I step on every crack on a footpath, first with my left foot and than with my right, I repeat myself to make sure I've said something right and that's about it at the moment. It's all pretty new and kind of came out of nowhere which confuses me, it's not like I think something bad will happen if I don't do any of this, I just have this feeling of emptiness, like something is stirring in my stomach and I just have to do this thing. I know my best option is to bring this up with my therapists and of course no one here can actually diagnose me over the internet, but does this sound like early signs of OCD?

[RuralOwlUK]

The behaviour you are engaging in does sound very much like OCD but the lack of anxiety is, as far as I know, not typical of OCD which is an anxiety disorder. The things I do, for example: repeatedly checking things, or washing my hands over and over again are done to relieve the anxiety that might be triggered by certain situations or due to a belief that by doing so I am keeping myself safe. I believe there is something called Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder which is not anxiety driven, perhaps that might be what you have. I would certainly suggest that you discuss it with your therapist.

[MichaelSacha]

I don't actually know if their is any anxiety involved in my bahavior . When I get the urge to do things like count to twelve, drink in fours and step on cracks, there is an odd sensation I get in my stomach. It's this nauseous feeling, in my stomach, that makes me a little restless and sometimes makes my legs weak so that I can hardly stand, either that or it makes overly angry. Usually I can just ignore, although uncomfortable, and it would just go away. But lately it's been somewhat more demanding. I don't know if that's anxiety, it sounds like it, but I just can't tell when it actually happens.
Also, I hope you find plenty of relief with your OCD, truly I do .

[RuralOwlUK]

What you describe could well be anxiety, these conditions are sneaky in how the present themselves. Many thanks for your kind words. My therapy is beginning to show some real benefits and I have real hope now for the future. I wish only the best for you too.

[MichaelSacha]

Thanks very much . If it's not to intrusive, please feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but exactly how does your OCD manifest?

[mab137]

One thing that many are not aware of (I was clueless until recently) is the affects strep throat can have on an individual. Have you ever heard of PANDAS? My brother got OCD after he had an undiagnosed case of strep. I know this sounds a little crazy, but one day he was himself, the next day he was obviously very different. The change was immediate and quite overwhelming! I believe you usually need to have a predisposition (it runs in your family) for PANDAS to affect you in this way and since I do not know your situation I do not want to jump to any conclusions, but you may want to look into this! Wishing you all the best in discovering ways to cope with these symptoms and regain control in your everyday life

[Meonly76]

i get exactly the same sensations with my ocd, the fluttering sicky feeling in my tummy, i dont think something bad is going to happen, but i just have to do, stop or change whatever ha s triggered me before th sesations stop, its very similar to the feeling i get with restless leg syndrome, i have to move my leg about, i literaly have to do it...

[IamLark]

Originally Posted by mab137

One thing that many are not aware of (I was clueless until recently) is the affects strep throat can have on an individual. Have you ever heard of PANDAS? My brother got OCD after he had an undiagnosed case of strep. I know this sounds a little crazy, but one day he was himself, the next day he was obviously very different. The change was immediate and quite overwhelming! I believe you usually need to have a predisposition (it runs in your family) for PANDAS to affect you in this way and since I do not know your situation I do not want to jump to any conclusions, but you may want to look into this! Wishing you all the best in discovering ways to cope with these symptoms and regain control in your everyday life

PANDAS is Pediatric Auto-immune Neuro-psychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep. It is not the strep itself that causes the neurological syndrome, but rather the strep antibodies, which attack the basal ganglia of the brain. It can present as ADHD, OCD, and either simple tics or Tourette's.