I Think I have OCD, Do I? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Snowbird · 08-16-2009, 11:29 PM

A friend viewed some Christmas photos I sent her and noticing that my kitchen counters were clear and things were lined up perfectly she asked me if I had OCD. The question stopped me in my tracks. It had never occurred to me that I had OCD. But now that I think about it, OCD would explain some of the 'things' that I do such as:

Organize my spices alphabetically in the cupboard.
Have to have all cans in the cupboard with the labels facing the front.
Hang clothes by colour, fresh clothes on the left and I take clothes to wear from the right (and the buttons have to face the right).
Have to have things folded a certain way (jeans, undies, towels, t-shirts, etc) and the fresh on the left and take from the right rule applies here too.

There are other things too, however, the latest thing that is really bothering me is spelling. Normally when I read something someone has posted in a forum or sent to me via email or instant messenger that has spelling or grammar errors it grates on me so much BUT ... lately I have been unable to fight the compulsion to copy what they wrote and paste it with the corrections and send it back to them. I've only done this twice so far and am trying desperately to not do it ... I don't want to loose friends by doing this.

So ... do I have OCD?

Coolbeans · 09-10-2009, 08:32 PM

I'm so amused....(not insulting you, because when i'm in a good mood i like to be amused. i even amuse myself)

You have the Compulssions. Which is a definite clue. Being a perfectionis is a common trait with people with OCD. However do you have the obsessions? Ask yourself, why do i have to have this stuff ordered in a certain way. Are you scared of something? Is there a reason that it bothers you when things aren't done in a certain way?

Underlying reasons (paranoias really) can be like the fear that you are losing control.

I think you have to do a lot of research. Because some people's OCDs are different from everyone elses. But yours sounds like the one that most people hear about. I say you do have it. Don't worry if that is the extent of your OCD, just having things done in a certain way.