OCD: General Discussion Thread

So, I was out driving the other day and spotted this one vehicle with a massive crosswalk painted right on its side—honestly, what a brilliant little touch 🙄—and I caught a glimpse of the slogan printed on it: 'Don't Cross the Line.'
It totally hit me for a second... like, man, I'm really trying my best here! 😁

Anonymous said:For me, this struggle was all about keeping the apartment spotless. I actually managed to dial it back significantly by getting a dog—a Cane Corso who’s going to be a massive 70-pounder when he's fully grown. Honestly, I realized there was zero point in obsessing over cleaning from midnight to dawn, otherwise, I’d end up checking myself into a mental health facility. It wasn't easy at first, but I got there. You just need patience, which is pretty much true for most things in life. Let's be clear: my place is still incredibly clean, and you'd never guess a big animal lives in these few hundred square feet, but I stopped losing my mind over every little crumb or tiny spot on the floor or furniture.🙂

This is a bit of a tangent, but I have to ask—how on earth do you manage keeping a dog that size in a 250-square-foot studio?

I’m looking for some advice here. Any and all feedback is more than welcome!

Basically, I suspect I might be dealing with OCD. It doesn't look like the textbook version most people think of—you know, those physical rituals where you have to wash your hands ten times or double-check if the stove is off just to stop the anxiety. For me, it's almost entirely "in my head." It's more about mental fixations...

For instance, I find myself constantly re-analyzing specific events or certain people over and over again. It's like I'm somehow addicted to these negative emotions, which is absolutely exhausting, not to mention how much it trashes my self-esteem 👎 . On top of that, depression has started creeping in, so things are definitely not okay. When these thoughts hit, I try not to completely suppress them because I know that just makes them explode even harder later... instead, I try to "filter" them, basically telling myself, "Okay, this is just an OCD thought, don't let it get to you."

But the real issue is that during stressful times or when life gets heavy, these thoughts come flooding in like a damn tidal wave and they just won't stop. Between the depression and my shattered confidence, I honestly feel like I'm falling apart inside 👎 . There are periods where I think I'm finally getting better—that it was just a temporary rough patch—but then reality hits and I realize this is something much deeper. I need to change. It’s long overdue, because this self-destructive cycle isn't going anywhere good.

Final exams are coming up, and I know I should be studying, but I just can't. I have zero energy. I start, I stall, I spiral into self-pity, and it just repeats in a loop. I honestly don't know what the next step is... thanks for listening.

I don't know. Honestly, I’d just say go see $67 every two weeks and head over to the Bauers' place in downtown Chicago to see Dr. House. He can handle your psychotherapy and manage the prescriptions you'll need for the next few years, and after that, all these symptoms should finally settle down.
Half of what you wrote hits home for me because I did exactly what I'm suggesting. Then again, I get it—taking that first step is never easy. It's easy for me to sit here and talk like this now that I'm on the other side of the disorder; everything looks so straightforward in hindsight. I actually find myself wondering why I didn't just start treatment sooner. It isn't some grand, unique tragedy; you have OCD, maybe some dysthymia or anxiety, and you just need something like Prozac to balance out the chemistry between certain receptors in your brain. I spent my entire life struggling with this from age 14 until I was 21 before I finally made the call to get help, and now, I'm cured.

George, I have just one question. I struggle with anxiety, and since I'm right at the beginning of this battle, I'm wondering if these kinds of disorders can actually be fully overcome... in other words, is there any real hope that I might become my old self again? You mention that you are recovered, so does that mean you don't deal with any of these issues at all anymore?

thanks 🙂

I don't know if I should call it a hobby or just a phase, but for years I was out there losing my mind collecting photos, posters, and all sorts of random junk from this one band. Eventually, it stopped being fun and turned into this weird obsession—I don't even know what to call it anymore. I’ve started getting rid of some of it lately, though I'm definitely not totally done yet.

silentmaker17 said:I’m looking for some advice here. Any and all feedback is more than welcome!

Basically, I suspect I might be dealing with OCD. It doesn't look like the textbook version most people think of—you know, those physical rituals where you have to wash your hands ten times or double-check if the stove is off just to stop the anxiety. For me, it's almost entirely "in my head." It's more about mental fixations...

For instance, I find myself constantly re-analyzing specific events or certain people over and over again. It's like I'm somehow addicted to these negative emotions, which is absolutely exhausting, not to mention how much it trashes my self-esteem 👎 . On top of that, depression has started creeping in, so things are definitely not okay. When these thoughts hit, I try not to completely suppress them because I know that just makes them explode even harder later... instead, I try to "filter" them, basically telling myself, "Okay, this is just an OCD thought, don't let it get to you."

But the real issue is that during stressful times or when life gets heavy, these thoughts come flooding in like a damn tidal wave and they just won't stop. Between the depression and my shattered confidence, I honestly feel like I'm falling apart inside 👎 . There are periods where I think I'm finally getting better—that it was just a temporary rough patch—but then reality hits and I realize this is something much deeper. I need to change. It’s long overdue, because this self-destructive cycle isn't going anywhere good.

Final exams are coming up, and I know I should be studying, but I just can't. I have zero energy. I start, I stall, I spiral into self-pity, and it just repeats in a loop. I honestly don't know what the next step is... thanks for listening.

Hey there. Aside from the classic OCD involving visible obsessions and compulsions, there’s this thing called "Pure O," where you don't see any outward ritualistic behaviors. I happened to run into this specific flavor of OCD myself 🙂...and let me tell you, it can get incredibly nasty.

Look, I'm not exactly an expert here, but speaking from experience, I think the most important thing you can do is educate yourself as much as possible. You need to wrap your head around what's actually happening and find a solid support group—somewhere you can vent and know that the people listening actually get it because they're walking the same path. This forum is fine, but there are specialized sites out there too. Personally, I found www.stuckinadoorway.org to be a lifesaver.
On that site, you can really see the massive spectrum of OCD subtypes people deal with, even if it all eventually boils down to the same core issue.
If you want more info, check out www.ocdonline.com as well; it's an excellent site run by a doctor who clearly knows their stuff when it comes to OCD.

James Allen6 said:George, I have just one question. I struggle with anxiety, and since I'm right at the beginning of this battle, I'm wondering if these kinds of disorders can actually be fully overcome... in other words, is there any real hope that I might become my old self again? You mention that you are recovered, so does that mean you don't deal with any of these issues at all anymore?

thanks 🙂

YES. Anxiety, F-16, if I remember correctly? It is a completely curable mental disorder. You can definitely move past it, but you have to put in the work, stay determined, and learn to accept things as they are. Educate yourself as much as possible—though, if you want real progress, try getting your info from professionals rather than just random internet forums. If you do that, within a year or two, the symptoms will be gone. The FBI, anxiety, phobias, depression—these are all entirely treatable conditions. It isn't some incurable sentence like
schizophrenia or something similar (though, give it thirty years and I bet even that will be curable).

David Nelson74 said:YES. Anxiety, F-16, if I remember correctly? It is a completely curable mental disorder. You can definitely move past it, but you have to put in the work, stay determined, and learn to accept things as they are. Educate yourself as much as possible—though, if you want real progress, try getting your info from professionals rather than just random internet forums. If you do that, within a year or two, the symptoms will be gone. The FBI, anxiety, phobias, depression—these are all entirely treatable conditions. It isn't some incurable sentence like
schizophrenia or something similar (though, give it thirty years and I bet even that will be curable).

I hope you're right! Yes, F-16. Honestly, I just want to feel like my old self again someday, because this is exhausting... I have started CBT, so maybe that will help.
I am trying to educate myself a little at a time. Thank you.

James Allen6 said:I hope you're right! Yes, F-16. Honestly, I just want to feel like my old self again someday, because this is exhausting... I have started CBT, so maybe that will help.
I am trying to educate myself a little at a time. Thank you.

At the end of the day, you've just gotta face the music and have the drive to actually deal with it—taking the meds when needed, sticking to therapy, getting out into the fresh air whenever possible... basically giving it everything you've got. You have to believe you can actually win this fight instead of just throwing in the towel early.

I was actually watching some big-shot LA Psychiatrist on TV the other day (can't remember his name for the life of me), and he was saying that anxiety and depression are totally manageable these days. The main thing is just spotting the red flags and reaching out for help as soon as you can. It's all about being proactive.

Good luck.

🙂

Thanks, shadowsurfer11 — medication, therapy sessions, self-suggestion... I am utilizing all of them, so I suppose the results should eventually manifest. Actually, I think they are already starting to show 🙂

Peter Cooper5 said:I don't know if I should call it a hobby or just a phase, but for years I was out there losing my mind collecting photos, posters, and all sorts of random junk from this one band. Eventually, it stopped being fun and turned into this weird obsession—I don't even know what to call it anymore. I’ve started getting rid of some of it lately, though I'm definitely not totally done yet.

I’m the same way. I collect every ticket stub, concert pass, flyer, scrap of paper... all the crap that most people would just toss in the trash. Instead, I shove it all into a box and label everything with the date. 😕

Look, I already deal with OCD, anxiety, and depression. I’m actually seeing an LA Psychiatrist soon, just like George advised me to do. So here I am, giving the exact same advice back to everyone else dealing with the same issues. Cheers.

Mark Perez2 said:Man, there are days when this constant need for symmetry just absolutely drains me. It’s not like I’m obsessively scrubbing the house or feeling the urge to repeat certain actions a specific number of times, and I don't go dodging floor patterns like Mr. Monk does. But everything in my life just feels wrong if it isn't perfectly symmetrical. I can't wrap my head around the idea that perfection doesn't exist—I'm just like that guy mentioned in an old thread who bought a pair of glasses only to realize they weren't symmetrical. I know it’s not "normal," and I know most people don't pull out a ruler before buying something, but honestly, I can't help myself.

Hehe, you caught me... 😍

See, the thing is, asymmetrical glasses on an asymmetrical face? Of course it feels weird. But honestly, since I've been obsessing over my hair with this hairspray lately, I don't even care about the glasses anymore. They're always smudged, I barely ever wipe them down...

It's true though, every face is asymmetrical. And I bet it's the same with glasses too. You can find asymmetry in anything if you just catch it from the right angle...

Actually, my LA Psychiatrist was trying to convince me the other day that I should probably start taking, uh, a well-known antidepressant... can't recall the exact name... anyway, I read online that it works wonders for dealing with OCD. Zoloft, yeah. But nah, I passed. If nothing else, my hands are always super clean. And my thoughts. Mostly... 😈 😁

Hey everyone...

I’m definitely a frequent hand washer, though I wouldn't say I've hit that level of obsessive scrubbing lately... honestly, my absolute favorite thing is getting the chance to scrub them down with a little brush... I just can't stand it when I notice someone has dirt under their fingernails, and the feeling of touching hands that are all warm and sweaty is just gross, not to mention how much human hair bugs me... I also have this thing where I need everything organized perfectly, so it really gets under my skin if someone just moves something out of place without thinking... mind you, I'm not talking about everything in life, some things can be messy or whatever, but I have my specific rituals, like when I buy a big bag of assorted candies, I'll pour them all out, count every single one, and eat them by starting with whichever flavor I have too many of, then once the counts are even, I'll eat them in a perfect rotation—one of this kind, one of that kind, one of the third kind—and then start the whole cycle over again... and don't even get me started on hanging posters or pictures on the wall, because I need them measured out to the exact inch so everything looks totally symmetrical and right...
I don't take any medication since we actually have a doctor in the family and I'm currently working through my own biomedical studies... we've all decided that what I have is just a personality quirk, nothing serious, and it hasn't really changed or gotten worse over the years, so it's totally manageable...

What are your thoughts?

northernmarlin79 said:Hey everyone...

I’m definitely a frequent hand washer, though I wouldn't say I've hit that level of obsessive scrubbing lately... honestly, my absolute favorite thing is getting the chance to scrub them down with a little brush... I just can't stand it when I notice someone has dirt under their fingernails, and the feeling of touching hands that are all warm and sweaty is just gross, not to mention how much human hair bugs me... I also have this thing where I need everything organized perfectly, so it really gets under my skin if someone just moves something out of place without thinking... mind you, I'm not talking about everything in life, some things can be messy or whatever, but I have my specific rituals, like when I buy a big bag of assorted candies, I'll pour them all out, count every single one, and eat them by starting with whichever flavor I have too many of, then once the counts are even, I'll eat them in a perfect rotation—one of this kind, one of that kind, one of the third kind—and then start the whole cycle over again... and don't even get me started on hanging posters or pictures on the wall, because I need them measured out to the exact inch so everything looks totally symmetrical and right...
I don't take any medication since we actually have a doctor in the family and I'm currently working through my own biomedical studies... we've all decided that what I have is just a personality quirk, nothing serious, and it hasn't really changed or gotten worse over the years, so it's totally manageable...

What are your thoughts?

thanks for being so real
I actually find reading these posts really interesting. Most of your little struggles seem almost charming to me, though I know they probably don't feel "charming" when you're dealing with them!
From what I've seen, most neurotic tendencies just sort of fade away on their own after a while.

northernmarlin79 said:Hey everyone...

I’m definitely a frequent hand washer, though I wouldn't say I've hit that level of obsessive scrubbing lately... honestly, my absolute favorite thing is getting the chance to scrub them down with a little brush... I just can't stand it when I notice someone has dirt under their fingernails, and the feeling of touching hands that are all warm and sweaty is just gross, not to mention how much human hair bugs me... I also have this thing where I need everything organized perfectly, so it really gets under my skin if someone just moves something out of place without thinking... mind you, I'm not talking about everything in life, some things can be messy or whatever, but I have my specific rituals, like when I buy a big bag of assorted candies, I'll pour them all out, count every single one, and eat them by starting with whichever flavor I have too many of, then once the counts are even, I'll eat them in a perfect rotation—one of this kind, one of that kind, one of the third kind—and then start the whole cycle over again... and don't even get me started on hanging posters or pictures on the wall, because I need them measured out to the exact inch so everything looks totally symmetrical and right...
I don't take any medication since we actually have a doctor in the family and I'm currently working through my own biomedical studies... we've all decided that what I have is just a personality quirk, nothing serious, and it hasn't really changed or gotten worse over the years, so it's totally manageable...

What are your thoughts?

Hmm... I deal with OCD and panic disorder, and perhaps there is something else I haven't identified yet.
I have heard that medical students often develop this constant hand-washing habit; I guess it happens when they realize just how much bacteria we carry and feel disgusted. Perhaps this is just temporary for you. Even if it isn't, as Richard Murphy6 mentioned, neurotic disorders can pass with time. If you want to speed up that process, maybe you should reach out to a specialist.
I decided to do that.

Me too, I’ve got quite a bit of OCD as far as I know!!! If anyone actually wants to know how I deal with it, just hit me up... peace

Paul Thomas9 said:Me too, I’ve got quite a bit of OCD as far as I know!!! If anyone actually wants to know how I deal with it, just hit me up... peace

Well, go ahead and tell us. What does it actually look like for you? Are you obsessively looking for symmetry in everything? Do you find yourself checking if the stove is off five times before leaving the house? Or maybe you can't stand it when things aren't perfectly aligned on the stovetop?

James Allen6 said:Hmm... I deal with OCD and panic disorder, and perhaps there is something else I haven't identified yet.
I have heard that medical students often develop this constant hand-washing habit; I guess it happens when they realize just how much bacteria we carry and feel disgusted. Perhaps this is just temporary for you. Even if it isn't, as Richard Murphy6 mentioned, neurotic disorders can pass with time. If you want to speed up that process, maybe you should reach out to a specialist.
I decided to do that.

I've always been a bit of a hand-washer myself😬 but lately, I've actually kind of enjoy using a scrub brush... though someone mentioned this and it reminded me that when I was little, I used to avoid stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk... but all those other things I listed earlier? I've probably been doing them forever and I can just laugh at myself because, hey... even things like how I hang my laundry—I leave my drying rack right on the windowsill, neatly arranged of course 😲 one green clip facing out, then a yellow one facing in 😬 And like I said, I just laugh about it because none of this stuff actually stops me from living my life normally, so yeah... 🙂

northernmarlin79 said:I've always been a bit of a hand-washer myself😬 but lately, I've actually kind of enjoy using a scrub brush... though someone mentioned this and it reminded me that when I was little, I used to avoid stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk... but all those other things I listed earlier? I've probably been doing them forever and I can just laugh at myself because, hey... even things like how I hang my laundry—I leave my drying rack right on the windowsill, neatly arranged of course 😲 one green clip facing out, then a yellow one facing in 😬 And like I said, I just laugh about it because none of this stuff actually stops me from living my life normally, so yeah... 🙂

Yes, I also avoid the lines. I count question marks, commas, and periods in subtitles. My room is as organized as a pharmacy, and my notebook is strictly orderly—filled with numbering, a, b, c, and so on. Even my eyebrows are perfectly symmetrical, haha.😁

Washing your hands with a brush.....?!😂