Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Mrs. Strutt · 07-05-2010, 08:22 PM

I've been watching A&E's "Obsessed" recently and have gotten quite the education about living with severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. And it occurred to me how often I make little jokes about having OCD myself. I've come to realize, though, that while none of my behaviors are extreme to the point of threatening my daily functioning or relationships, I truly do have a mild form of this disorder.

My OCD seems to take the form of obsession with order, symmetry and "balance" in my environment. Pictures, knick-knacks and other items of decor have to be placed equi-distant and at proper right angles. A picture hanging even slightly askew on a wall can drive me nuts. Shoes have to be placed right next to each other so they are neatly lined up and "match" in angle and distance. Differently-colored flowers in a bunch need to be arranged in a vase so the colors are evenly distributed. If I notice something is "out of balance" and I don't stop to fix it before I leave the house, I will literally have to reverse course and go back to correct it or it will make me mildly anxious all day.

I do know that these behaviors have gotten better as I have gotten older...but I wonder how much less time I would spend fussing and arranging my environment if I didn't have OCD at all.

Has anyone else seen the show or have OCD?

07-05-2010, 08:22 PM	#1
Mrs. Strutt Member How Do You Identify?: Stone Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She/Her Relationship Status: 16 Years as Queen of Hys Castle Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gulfport, FL Posts: 243 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 266 Thanked 341 Times in 115 Posts Rep Power: 17282	Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder I've been watching A&E's "Obsessed" recently and have gotten quite the education about living with severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. And it occurred to me how often I make little jokes about having OCD myself. I've come to realize, though, that while none of my behaviors are extreme to the point of threatening my daily functioning or relationships, I truly do have a mild form of this disorder. My OCD seems to take the form of obsession with order, symmetry and "balance" in my environment. Pictures, knick-knacks and other items of decor have to be placed equi-distant and at proper right angles. A picture hanging even slightly askew on a wall can drive me nuts. Shoes have to be placed right next to each other so they are neatly lined up and "match" in angle and distance. Differently-colored flowers in a bunch need to be arranged in a vase so the colors are evenly distributed. If I notice something is "out of balance" and I don't stop to fix it before I leave the house, I will literally have to reverse course and go back to correct it or it will make me mildly anxious all day. I do know that these behaviors have gotten better as I have gotten older...but I wonder how much less time I would spend fussing and arranging my environment if I didn't have OCD at all. Has anyone else seen the show or have OCD? __________________ ~ Tiffany http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...FLR/sunset.jpg "If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." - Gilbert Keith Chesterton