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 QUESTION: I'm not sure if I really have OCD. I looked up symptoms and I have most of them, but I'm still not sure.
ANSWER: Hi Pamela,
I do not rely online tests because it does not replace doctor's professional opinion. At most, they are just general to help you to decide if you should go see a doctor. There are several types of tests for many different disorders including OCD given by a medical doctor.
Please tell me what are the symptoms and what you do that makes you think you have OCD? I may be able to tell you if you have OCD or not.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Doc Jerry
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QUESTION: Obsessions are as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):
recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress
the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems
the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)
Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):
repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly
the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or are clearly excessive
Those are symptoms I found online. I find myself not being able to certain things. For example, when I lower the volume, I can't bring myself to leave it at 13 or 14, it has to be either 10 or 15, multiples of 5. I doubt myself when I think I lock the door and I always go back a few times or I get someone to tell me I locked it. I do this all the time and I always avoid certain clothing I own because they bring back certain memories. I wash my hands a lot, they just don't feel clean most of the time. I can't control myself when it comes to other people as well. If a hair's out of place on someone, I just go up and fix it, I can't restrain myself. Even when they seem in order, I just have to touch their hair or them in general. I don't touch them innappropriately, just hold onto their arm while walking. And when walking, if I stumble on one leg, I have to put my weight on the other to even it out. I cancel out bad thoughts with good thoughts, such as burning my brother on purpose, I just imagine him laughing and I feel better. I'm sure I'm missing some examples, but I can't recall all of them at the moment.
Answer Hi Pamela,
Thank you for information. According to your inputs, I do believe you may have mild OCD. You need to see psychologist to do further tests to see if you actually have OCD as soon as possible. You may benefit new therapy called COGNITIVE THERAPY. You can ask psychologist for this treatment. It usually works pretty well.
You said in your statement. " I cancel out bad thoughts with good thoughts, such as burning my brother on purpose, I just imagine him laughing and I feel better." This is called THOUGHT BLOCKING. You did pretty well. Keep up doing it.
I truly hope you do not burn your brother on purpose.
Thank you for your time and you have a wonderful day.
