OCD: General Discussion Thread

Maybe everyone should take a step back and think. There is no such thing as a "productive" obsession. Sure, she’s at an age where she can still laugh at herself—unlike those idiots above obsessing over their step counts—but what happens in ten years when she can't even leave the house because everything isn't absolutely perfect? And we all know it will never be.

The core issue with OCD is this desperate need for control, the desire to hold all the strings. You realize you can't control life or people, so you turn to these habits instead. Honestly, I highly recommend seeing a therapist (even just a school counselor to start) to get some guidance. This won't just vanish on its own, and trying to force yourself to live in a messy room is a massive leap that might just backfire. You've probably noticed that the little things you feel the need to organize are increasing 😉. You aren't crazy, and a psychologist won't look at you like an alien because so many people deal with this (just look at the replies here), but you don't want to reach the point where you spend 24 hours a day rearranging objects 😉.

Honestly, there's no way I want to spend my entire day cleaning up messes and obsessing over every little detail.🙄
Thanks for all the advice, everyone.😘

So, you’re planning on booking a session with a therapist then?🙂

*Spike Lee* said:The ultimate cure? Just scatter everything across your room ON PURPOSE and then attempt to sleep 😉 And whatever you do, don't touch anything—just pass out in the mess 😉 Prof. Psych Spike 😉

👍 Sage advice!
That's about as helpful as telling someone with clinical depression to "just cheer up and you'll feel better."🤣

Madwoman said:So you want to go talk to a therapist then?🙂

Oh, absolutely!

I’m feeling a little bit confused as to why there hasn't been any response to my post yet! 😠 🙂

darkbadger60 said:Why hasn't anyone replied to my post yet?! 😠 🙂

Look, I guess you just haven't fully accepted that death is inevitable. You really need to make peace with it; there's no point being terrified of something that's going to happen regardless. 🤣, instead, just lean into life—the good parts and the bad (we've gotta learn our lessons somehow). Try to live with it. I get that it feels like a massive deal right now, but if you change how you look at death, things might feel a little easier.
👋

*Spike Lee said:The ultimate remedy is to intentionally scatter everything all over your room and then attempt to sleep 😉 And don't you dare touch a single thing—just go to bed in the middle of the mess 😉 Prof. Psych Spike 😉

Since my actual issue is washing my hands way too often, are you suggesting I just stop washing them entirely to be cured???

Rachel Sanders said:Basically, I’m not even sure if there’s an actual name for what I’m going through, but I’m here hoping someone can tell me!🙂 Aside from being absolutely obsessed with cleanliness and order, I literally cannot fall asleep unless everything in my room is perfectly aligned and sorted. Everything in my space has to be parallel to the shadows cast by my lamps—it sounds pathological, but if my blinds aren't pulled down perfectly straight across the whole apartment, I'm done. My remote controls have to be dead center on the coffee table (I’ve actually gone as far as measuring the table and marking the spot just to ensure it's exact), my keys have to be lined up horizontally, and my shoes need to be arranged in a perfect row, or I simply won't sleep!
And there's one more thing—sometimes a specific thought or phrase just pops into my head, and in that exact moment, I feel this overwhelming urge to say it out loud. I try to tell myself, "Don't, you aren't crazy," but then I snap and think, "Well, there has to be a reason I felt the need to say it, so I *have* to say it!" It happens multiple times a day. Also, I am obsessed with the number three; it's a number that completely fascinates me. Naturally, when that impulse hits me to speak, I have to repeat it three times. If I happen to mess up and repeat it more than that, I have to keep going until I hit nine (since three goes into nine exactly THREE times), and at that point, I just can't control it anymore! Does anyone have any comforting advice or even just a comment? Because I honestly can't help myself!

In a situation like this, looking at things realistically helps quite a bit. I’ve dealt with various OCD symptoms myself (for instance, I had to run the faucet several times before filling a glass, or flip the light switch on and off repeatedly...). I was always driven by this nagging feeling that something terrible would happen to me or someone I love if I didn't do those things exactly right. Eventually, I did some digging online and realized it was OCD; I understood that plenty of people deal with this, and more importantly, that nothing bad actually happens if I stop. The only lingering issue is excessive handwashing, because I always feel like they aren't clean enough. Is this purely psychological (OCD), or does it have anything to do with epidemiology? I have no clue; I just know it's been exhausting me for years. Any practical advice would be greatly appreciated.

Some actual advice.

Madwoman said:real advice.

Madwoman, it seems there are plenty of us out there losing our minds. Honestly, it’s a bit of a relief to read this and realize I’m not the only one.
I was actually holding my breath waiting for your "real advice," only to find you recommending a book about intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Just a quick reminder—I don't have any other OCD symptoms (you know, those repetitive, driving thoughts and actions) aside from the constant need to wash my hands over every little thing. I'll go ahead and order the book, though I have no idea how much it’ll actually help me. Regardless, I want to thank you; at least this feels like moving in the right direction.
kiss

Christian Castillo60 said:Madwoman, it seems there are plenty of us crazy types. It’s a relief to read here that I’m not alone.
I eagerly awaited your "realistic advice," only to find you recommending a book about compulsions and intrusive thoughts. Just a reminder: my OCD doesn't involve anything beyond an obsessive need to wash my hands constantly. I'll order the book and read it, though I'm skeptical about how much it will actually help. Regardless, thanks for the step forward.
kiss

Look, sorry if I let you down, but I suspect the book will offer better advice than stop washing your hands, intentionally mess up your room, or force yourself to walk on those lines—or whatever else I might pull out of a hat. You might be disappointed by the book, too; some authors act like they understand the disorder just to make a quick buck. Oh well, at least you'll have one less thing to worry about 🙂

The questions at the end of each chapter might actually be useful for you to determine if this is truly OCD, especially since you seem reluctant to see a psychologist. Why the hesitation? I sought professional help because I can't stop crying; why shouldn't you address the handwashing?😛

p.s. Try finding someone at your local library to lend you the book so you don't waste money. Otherwise, it might look like I'm just running ads for Penguin Random House.😳

Rachel Sanders said:Maybe just try to live with it for now. I totally get why it feels like such a massive weight on you right now, but I suspect if you could find a way to shift your perspective on death, things might start feeling a little lighter.
👋

Thanks so much for getting back to me with that. 😘
I guess I know all of that in theory, and I suppose that’s how I should probably be looking at it, but honestly, I haven't quite been able to let go of it just yet.
It feels like I might just need a bit more time before everything finally settles into place.

Madwoman said:look, sorry if I let you down, but I honestly think the book will offer more realistic—better, even—advice than stop washing your hands, purposefully mess up your room, or force yourself to walk on those lines, or whatever else I could pull out of a hat. maybe you'll be disappointed by the book because it might end up being written by people who think they "get" the disorder, when in reality they're just talking out of their asses to make a quick buck. oh well, at least you'll have one less thing on your list 🙂

I actually think those end-of-chapter questions might be specifically useful for you—you know, to finally figure out if you actually have OCD or not, since you're so dead-set against seeing a psychologist. why won't you just go see someone? I went because I can't stop crying; so why won't you just stop washing your hands😛

p.s. try finding someone with a library card to lend you the book so you don't waste money. wouldn't want it to look like I'm advertising Penguin Random House😳.

It doesn't look like you're advertising them. I'm a library member myself, though I have no idea if they even carry this specific title. It’s not like I’m strapped for cash, so I’ll just order it. Besides, if I were reading at the library, I'd probably be wearing gloves anyway😢
And if having one less thing on my list means that, then fine. Thanks
I am considering seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but I'm going to start with the book first. That way, even if it turns out to be a total disappointment, at least I'll have learned some theories and gained a bit of insight.

Christian Castillo60 said:I’m seriously considering booking an appointment with a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but I think I’ll dive into a book first. That way, if it ends up being a total letdown, at least I’ll have picked up some theories and actually learned something about what’s going on in my head.

Honestly, she sounds like a total Madwoman—maybe we should just make them our official subforum sponsors or something! 😁

But hey, regarding that whole disappointment thing you mentioned...
I’ve honestly seen so many people go out of their way to research and educate themselves on certain topics, only to feel completely crushed once they actually sit down and digest the heavy-duty professional literature. It’s like people expect everything to be some magic fix, or they think a couple of therapy sessions or just a few deep sentences will solve their entire lives. Or, let's be real, sometimes people just aren't actually ready to face or accept the true root cause of why they're struggling in the first place.

So, if you do end up feeling disappointed, please don't assume it means the book is garbage or that the whole approach is totally wrong.

Dennis Torres said:Is she crazy? Maybe we should just make them the official sponsors of this forum.😁

Regarding this disappointment...
I have seen plenty of people go looking for answers and trying to educate themselves, only to end up completely disillusioned once they actually dig into the professional literature. People expect magic fixes or think their entire life can be solved with a couple of therapy sessions or a few sentences. Or, at the end of the day, they simply aren't ready to face the root cause of their issues.

So, feeling disappointed doesn't necessarily mean the book is bad or the approach is wrong.

As if they couldn't, considering how many of their titles I've already promoted. They are basically the only ones in the US publishing high-quality psychology texts. If only my dad owned Penguin Random House.😍

You're right; people often grab some cheap self-help paperback that does absolutely nothing for them, then give up entirely or decide that's the extent of psychology and there's nothing left to learn. You have to keep searching, keep trying, and stay informed about every method out there.👍

But hey, what would you know?😉

Seriously though... believe it or not, my hands are totally fine, even if they look this messy right now..
And honestly, it wasn't even really about me... it was about this one person who was being dead serious, trying to convince me that this whole thing is totally normal and that everyone (or at least most people) does it this way.. so I just sat there thinking... am I the Madwoman here, or is she?
But personally? I'm pretty sure I'm sane.
And get this... I actually am! 😬

My struggles started when I was 13, right after a major trauma. Up until I was 19, I went through therapy with four different specialists—psychologists and psychiatrists. Did they help me?
Not even a little bit. Zero. Then I stumbled upon a therapist who worked with Jungian methods. After three years of that, my life did a complete 180—for the better, obviously. I’m taking a break from sessions right now due to some logistical issues, but I plan on getting back to it to finish what I started. Healing is real; my own life is the proof. I still deal with some things, but I can live NORMALLY now. Without this specific type of therapy, I probably would have lost it completely.
Feel free to ask anything. I hope my experience helps someone out. Just so you know, I haven't taken any medication.
Hang in there, everyone fighting their own battles. You've got this! 😉

Gerald Clark2, what exactly happened there?

Since we’re talking OCD, I dealt with both obsessions—the intrusive thoughts—and compulsions, the actual actions. It wasn't just specific thoughts forcing their way in; my entire way of thinking felt obsessive. My brain wouldn't shut up. It would just spin constantly, overanalyzing everything down to the tiniest detail and looping endlessly. It drives you crazy. As for compulsions, I’d find myself having to touch things, or feeling this sudden urge to make signs in public. I’d repeat certain movements over and over, or just drag things out, making simple tasks take forever. Honestly? For me, the obsessive thoughts were harder to deal with than the physical compulsions.
On top of the OCD, there was plenty of other stuff—social anxiety, sleep issues, eating struggles, and fears about things I’d just imagine in my head...
That’s pretty much it. I don't know my exact diagnosis. Since I was just a teenager back then, maybe I never even got one. Maybe it was just part of those teenage growing pains? When you're young, doctors don't always jump to give you a label, and there are probably good reasons for that too.