OCD

I think I might have OCD, I've become increasingly obsessed with keeping my shoes white to the extent that I clean them and rub wite paint into the thread almost everyday.

I've also started to sometimes randomly tidy something because its annoying me.

Does anyone no if this is OCD or perhaps something else? And how to overcome the feelings of having to clean?

I'm just a software consultant, but it does sound rather OCDish to me. Although I wouldn't attempt at any d(x) without a doctor.

I'm mostly responding to this thread not because I have an answer, but because I LOVE your name! Shmush! I'm jealous that you thought of it first!

Welcome to PC, Shmush! I'm sure you'll find plenty of members who can walk through it with you.

Thanks

Not that this is a good solution because I would imagine that your concern about your shoes has less to do with the shoes itself, but black shoes would be much easier to keep clean... and they match more types of pants....

Thats another thing I dont want black shoes because I wont be able to see the dirt to clean, I wont know whats there. At least with white shoes I can make sure theres nothing on them and that they're perfect.

I probably wouldnt actually wear them.

good point...

Shmush,

This does sound a lot like OCD. The good news is that OCD is very treatable. Have you considered seeing somebody about it? Any time that a problem is interfering with your life, you might want to consider talking to a profesional about it.

Rap

Here's the diagnostic criteria for OCD from the DSM-IV:

A. The Person Exhibits Either Obsessions or Compulsions
Obsessions are indicated by the following:

* The person has recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress
* The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems
* The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
* The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions are indicated by the following:

* The person has repetitive behaviors (eg, hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (eg, praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly
* The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.

B. At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. (Note: this does not apply to children.)
C. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupational/academic functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.
D. If another axis I disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it (e.g., preoccupation with drugs in the presence of a substance abuse disorder).
E. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiologic effects of a substance (e.g., drug abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

Hi and welcome...It sure sounds like ocd...meds and CBT help..I think most of the ocd stuff is up in the anxiety area you may wanna take a look see

Hugs