AboutDr. Jerry Martin, Jr. Expertise I will be able to answer certain questions in general regarding this topic, I will give you recommedations how you can deal with it. OCD is a mild/serious mental illness disorder treatable with dual medication and therapy. Please note: I am not a medical doctor, please do not ask me about medications.
Experience
Past/Present clients I had has worked with youth and adults who had/has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other behavior disorders such as ADD/ADHD and combined with OCD.
Certified member of American Psychological Association and a Fellow Member of International Society of Counsellors.
Question Hi When I was a kid I had a panic attack, and for a while after I had a bad obsession with knives. I didn't like to see them, I didn't like to touch them stuff like that. I don't remember much more than that (it was a long time ago). Now him 17 and abut two months ago I went to the dentist (I haven't gone in years due to a fear of them) and I had to be put under for about 7hrs to get all the dental work done. The day after I had a really bad panic attack. Ever since then I have had thoughts that I'm going to hurt someone I love, and it scares me a lot. I know that I'm not going to but every time I see something that could passably be dangerous I get a picture in my mind. It will last for 10sec then it will go away. But for hours after the picture will bug me, I think that I'm going crazy. During the day overall I'm ok but at night I start thinking and working my self up and scaring my self. I also have a thing with touching things and having to wash my hands over and over and if something is not lined up with the thing around it I feel like I need to fix it. I can make myself ignore the feeling of need to wash my hands and line things up but I have a hard time making myself to ignore the fear that I'm going to hurt someone (but they feel like there kinda subsiding). Can you tell me if this is ocd or bipolar? Thank you. sorry for the ramble
Answer Hi Vic,
It is not bipolar disorder. You may have what's called Phobia and Panic Attacks. Phobia means fear of one or more items (knives, spiders, heights, colors etc).
Panic attack means a feeling that you can't control so suddenly. For example you had a panic attack when you go to dentist or something you stops you by doing something unexpected which lead to panic attack.
They can be treated by seeing psychotherapist or psychiatrist, it is quite possible you may be on medication for "panic attacks" and it is really a term called "anxiety disorder" but in many different degrees (mild, moderate and severe). There is no cure medication for phobias but can be controlled by therapy. You may not be cured 100% but can be helped for certain.
