I came from the bipolar board, I have a few questions about OCD.
My aunt had this terrible fear of germs. She would open doors with kleenex, which had to be thrown away after that.
She would not touch anything directly.
She would do the same with the telephone if she really had to take it, she would not touch it.
She was a very sweet person, I loved her very much, but my family was wierd about that. They just would be polite but not look for her company.
I was surprised when I went to her house the firts and last time. Everything was covered in dust, and things looked like they hadn't been touched for ages.
My uncle was very loving and very sweet to her. Needless to say they never had children. They did seem happy just with each other.
Nobody mentioned that she was different, nobody talked about it, we all just let her be.
I am just curious as what she may have had.
When I was little, I asked my mom, and she said that my aunt had an illness, that she needs help, but she needs to realize that first. Being a kid, I asked, why don't you tell her? She said she already brought it up and my aunt said she did not need help, she was O.K.
She said that we don't talk about it, that she knows what needs to be done, it is her choice.
Now they both are gone, and I would like to know. It seems something is running in our family. I just found out one of my cousins almost died from anorexia, also by being in denial, she did not tell anyone until it was almost too late. ANd she's a psychologist!
One of her sisters organizes the shirts in her drawers perfectly, so if you touch one, she knows, because it's "a little more to the right".
She would catalog her sweaters in zip lock bags, in order, as well as her shoes, which remained in the original boxes, with the date of when she got them and what clothes they go with.
Another cousin, sister of theirs,(I used to live with her when I was a teenager) had me write from the time I wake, up a log that would account for each and every minute of my day. She would time me on everything. One day, I took a minute longer than my allowed 5 minutes in the shower, she came in and dragged me out.
I still can't take my time in the shower, I get scared. (I am 36 now)
She would also give me 3 minutes for using the toilet, so that, as well, I do very quickly. For some reason I cannot change these habits now.
I cannot take a bath, I get so anxious, almost panicky if I stay in there more than a couple of minutes, I have tried. My husband says it's rlaxing and had me try it. Id doesn't work, I've tried several times, I Sort of get frightened.
I was just diagnosed Bipolar, is this all related and passed down? Is this OCD in my cousins and aunt?
One of their brothers was depressive, and had an alcohol problem. Another one of my uncles was depressive, and unfortunately in Mexico (where he lived) this is not talked about, so they over medicated him with lithium until he just could not take it, his body just could not process it. I am afraid for my cousins (his sons) if they don't have the information they need, they may go through something similar.
Sorry, this is too long, isn't it?
By the way, I have always wondered if I would ever grow up and be like my aunt or my cousins. I still am afraid of being too picky and too careful.
I keep worrying about "did I leave anything on at home?" "is the house going to burn down?" "Is someone going to break in while we're out?" I check the lock 2 or 3 times. make sure I locked it.
I used to wash my hands a lot, I tried so hard to get over the fear of eating germs. Now I'm not so afraid, but I still know when my hands are dirty. I just keep telling myself I won't die from it.
O.K., thanks, I appologize for the long post. This is years and a whole family compiled.
PS Just to make you laugh, I am afraid of napkins, they make this horrible little sound!
Thanks
I want to know if this is all related.
Is fear of germs OCD? 
