Possible OCD? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

naked07 · 09-22-2005, 11:22 PM

I am a 20 year old male and I believe I have OCD. I used to have it much different but thhis new lifestyle really pushes me over the edge. I presently live in a big city and use public transportation. I see many unhealthy, unsantiary and oughtright disgusting people here such as bums and generally 'unclean' people by my standards. When I get on a public bus I know it is either sit or stand but I dread both. I know filthy hands have been on the poles and nasty bottoms have sat on those seats. Once I am off the bus and I get in the door to my apartment I wash my hands immediately after disarming/rearming the security alarm. I then, refuse to sit on my own furniture once being in public until the clothes are washed. Basically, anything I touch that has been on the outside requires me to wash my hands. This is not all as I have several other OCD related issues like, flickering of light swithces a certain amount of times and positioning objects a certain direction. Can anyone see where I am coming from and does it seem to you like it is OCD? Or am I just nuts?

Thanks...

keepsmilin2 · 09-22-2005, 11:47 PM

I can relate COMPLETELY... I'm 19 (female) and was diagnosed with OCD a couple of months ago. Contamination and Personal Safety are my biggest symptoms. I wash my hands after pretty much anything I do. Also, at my summer job I felt I was the ultimate contaminated building and would change my clothes as soon as I got home and put them in to be washed. I then thought about my car becoming contaminated from the drive home, thus getting any other clothes I wore in my car dirty... It's a vicious cycle... It got to a point where OCD ran my life, I broke down and got help. I'm in counselling now and take meds and I believe each have led to a drastic improvement. I was embarrassed at first but now I'm not afraid to talk about it because getting help has been the best thing I ever did... If you are really concerned and it becomes such a strain on your life I would recommend getting help, it's one of the best decisions I ever made. I'm not rid of OCD by anymeans... but I'm learning how to cope with it and reduce the anxiety I have.

bkm4673 · 09-23-2005, 11:03 AM

keepsmilin i do all that too, ill wash my clothes immediately when i walk in because i feel they r contaminated from somewhere i was at these issue can drive u nuts, i also wash my hands tremendously alot. what kind of meds are u on im curious because i start lexapro after i have an eeg ?

keepsmilin2 · 09-25-2005, 08:00 PM

bkm4673 - I've been taking celexa for a few months and I'm happy with the results so far...

bkm4673 · 09-25-2005, 09:39 PM

so after youve been taking celexa u are not trippin out as much about that stuff? celexa and lexapro are alike...glad to hear you are happy with the celexa though...you obviously made a better choice and are on the roadto getting better. i am very glad to see im not alone and people have the same issues as me and they r ok on meds and counseling. you made me smile inside ,thx keepsmilin your words meant alot to me.