Is my OCD Still Bad?

[Guest 2828]

When I was 5 I started doing things. I would usually smell everything I touched, nd also constantly wash my hands every five minutes or so. By 7, I started counting my steps and doing things in 2's and 4's. I at all costs avoided the number thre and still do. I was afraid is I didn't do things just right I would die. It took me a long time to complete tasks. I would never step on cracks, and if I did I would backtrack and restep over the crack once with each foot. Their were many other things I did also.

However what I want to know is if it is minor or major OCD. About four months ago I was staring all over again. I had stopped for about four years, but still did small things that were just a routine and part of my life. Like avoiding the thres, as you can see I don't want to spell it.

However I have started double looking in the mirror; looking at myslef, looking down at the floor, and looking back up. I avoid cracks, and I have mastered not stepping on the tile cracks in my house, but when I do I still walk back and walk over the tile again very carefully. I do things in 2's and 4's. I count 1,2,3,4 when I walk over an over again. When I pick someting up, I pick it up once, set it down, and pick it up again. I re-zip zippers, like on my backpack, for example.

And the biggest thing is stepping on the cracks. I almost missed the bus about a week ago because I was stepping n cracks. I also had to get two steps in between each crack, and that was frustrating. However I continu on or I knew I would miss the bus.

Their are some other things I do. On the computer, when I go back to another page,I go back twice and forwards once to get to the page I want. When I watch a video, I make sure the mouse pointer is not on top of the video when it's playing. I also pick at part of my hand, to the point where it bleeds sometimes and is raw. I do this unconciously. I use a jacket to open bathroom doorhandles. I will check to make sure I have something like my cell phone 5 times in to minutes to make sure I have it. When there I thre glasses in the cabinet, I always take the middle oe, and only when its turned upside down. Or else I pass on drinking water. Which is another problem. I usually get bottled water and won't take a glass from the cabinet. I ended up with 15 water bottles all over my room instead of taking a glass of water with me to bed.

That's about all I can think of right now.

Edited August 30, 2007 by 2828

[Guest Deb]

Hi there, welcome to the forums! :original:

I'm really sorry to hear your symptoms seem to be returning.

My son was the same age as you when his symptoms first began and has been having treatment for a number of years now.

You don't mention whether you have had any treatment or a diagnosis at all?

Treatment can be very helpful and it's a really good idea if you have some support too.

It's not unusual for symptoms to decrease or increase over time but if these symptoms are interfering with your life, then now could be a good time to get some help with this.

One things for sure, everyone here is very friendly and helpful. :original:

Glad you found us!

Take care & best wishes, Deb

[whitebeam]

Hi 2828,

Although I'm not an expert - just a sufferer who uses this forum (and not a teen either :blushing: ) your symptoms do sound fairly typical of ocd.

With ocd, I feel it is best 'nipped in the bud'. If not addressed it can escalate and get more entrenched so really the sooner you get help, the better.

Your first step would be to go to your GP. He/she may diagnose and start treatment or may refer you to a counsellor or a mental health specialist - psychologist or psychiatrist.

There is a lot of good treatment around which really does improve the life of sufferers. It will probably take some time, but, in my opinion, the sooner you get help, the sooner you can start to get better.

Take care :original:

whitebeam

[Guest 2828]

I have never gotten any treatment, and only really recently confessed that I hav OCD, and not even told completely.

[Guest Deb]

Hi again,

It really is a good idea to think about treatment if it is needed, earlier rather than later as Whitebeam said above.

Is your family able to support you with this, sorry I don't know your age but perhaps they could be really helpful and most GPs are familiar with OCD symptoms and can be really helpful.

Please don't feel that you are struggling with this alone, there is so much support available.

Deb :original:

[Guest 2828]

I'm fifteen. I don't think they know how much I'm doing. I told them I counted steps as a bad habit, and that I double touch things, but thats about it.

[Guest Deb]

Hi 2828,

Perhaps now could be a good time to confide a little more in someone you trust? Your parents or someone else in the family perhaps & let them know just how interfering these symptoms are in your life.

I'm guessing from your post that maybe you mentioned a little of what has been happening to your family or friends to "test the water" or see what the response was?

How did it go?

Deb :original: