Obsessive or not??? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

CherFan · 02-23-2004, 09:34 AM

Hi, I don't know if this is considered OCD, But I do obsess alot about cleaning. I get up for work @ 6am, and after I finish all that I have to do, I surface clean, and clean the mirrors and glass. I used to vacuum every day, then it went to every other day, and now it's to once a week, which is a big deal for me, but w/the cleaning EVERY single morning, is that considered obsessive? I also fix the things my husband does, like refold the towel after he showers and make sure it's hung up straight, I put his brush on the top shelf in the medicine cabinet, even though he puts it on the 2nd shelf, and clean up right after him when he cooks, and re-clean what he already cleaned...I also make sure there is no water dropplets on the sinks, if there is, right after he goes to the bathroom, I am in there drying up after him....Please help....

fm5 · 02-23-2004, 10:27 AM

It's really hard to say. As I don't know of other things you may be doing, and I can't really say if this may be just the beginnings of o.c.d. (as I have often heard other o.c.d'ers explain how their o.c.d. started out small and then became all encompassing).

My best suggestion is to go to a psychologist and speak to them about your concerns. They even have a standardized test you can take that determines if you have o.c.d and at what level it might be.

CherFan · 02-23-2004, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fm5

It's really hard to say. As I don't know of other things you may be doing, and I can't really say if this may be just the beginnings of o.c.d. (as I have often heard other o.c.d'ers explain how their o.c.d. started out small and then became all encompassing).

My best suggestion is to go to a psychologist and speak to them about your concerns. They even have a standardized test you can take that determines if you have o.c.d and at what level it might be.

Even if I did go to one, and they told me to not clean up after my husband or just plain clean, I couldn't do it. I would just go crazy and start cleaning. I've been like this for a long time. It didn't just start. Have you been to a psychologist? If so, did they help you?

fm5 · 02-23-2004, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherFan

Even if I did go to one, and they told me to not clean up after my husband or just plain clean, I couldn't do it. I would just go crazy and start cleaning. I've been like this for a long time. It didn't just start. Have you been to a psychologist? If so, did they help you?

I would say that if you feel it is invading and limiting your life, it is probably best to see a psychologist. I know you mentioned that the psychologist would tell you not to do these things, and you mentioned "you would go crazy". Aren't you already going crazy doing this stuff?

My o.c.d. became all encompassing about 4 years ago - to the point where I had to go out on disability as it was affecting my job. My o.c.d. didn't really start until about 5 years ago. (I didn't have it all of my life.)

I read everything I could on this disorder. I attended Edna Foa's clinic at the University of Pennsylvania (Center for the Treatment in Study of Anxiety in Philadelphia) which is an intensive 3 week program with probably the best o.c.d. psychologists in the country. I went on medication. I also got spiritual counseling which is very important if you are suffering from the "magical" type of o.c.d.

I would have to say I am about 75% better than I was about 3 or 4 years ago.

CherFan · 02-23-2004, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fm5

I would say that if you feel it is invading and limiting your life, it is probably best to see a psychologist. I know you mentioned that the psychologist would tell you not to do these things, and you mentioned "you would go crazy". Aren't you already going crazy doing this stuff?

My o.c.d. became all encompassing about 4 years ago - to the point where I had to go out on disability as it was affecting my job. My o.c.d. didn't really start until about 5 years ago. (I didn't have it all of my life.)

I read everything I could on this disorder. I attended Edna Foa's clinic at the University of Pennsylvania (Center for the Treatment in Study of Anxiety in Philadelphia) which is an intensive 3 week program with probably the best o.c.d. psychologists in the country. I went on medication. I also got spiritual counseling which is very important if you are suffering from the "magical" type of o.c.d.

I would have to say I am about 75% better than I was about 3 or 4 years ago.

Hello:
I wouldn't say it's limiting my life, and no, I am not going crazy doing it. It gets annoying every morning doing it, because if I don't clean, the house feels dirty to me. My vacuuming got alot better, I am only doing it once a week, rather than everyday. When I go on vacation, I clean the morning of, vacuum the day before, and for the time that I am on vacation, it feels great not having to get up and clean. But once I return, I start the routine all over again once I unpack once I get in the door.