How do I know if this is OCD?

What if this isn't actually OCD?

What if my other thoughts are OCD, but this is real?

How do I know??

The short answer is: You Don’t! And you never will, not with certainty anyway.

“Is this actually OCD?” Is often one of the first questions patients often have, wondering if what they are experiencing is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or if there really is something worth worrying about.

This happens a lot.

OCD latches on to a fear, then sends warnings and reminders to help protect the individual from that fear. For individuals with contamination OCD the fear may be that they will be infected and die or that they will infect and then be responsible for the deaths of loved ones. OCD will then send reminders or warnings about possible contamination threats whenever things that are perceived to be contaminated come to mind. The funny thing here is that OCD is not necessarily logical, and what it is afraid of being contaminated may not actually have anything to do with what does or does not have germs on it. For those with relationship OCD, the fear may be that if they pick the wrong person to be their partner they will be consigned to a life of loveless regret. OCD then sends warnings about their partner, pointing out things that could mean the person is not an ideal match, from points of potential conflict to physical attributes that MIGHT become annoying as the years go by.

All of these thoughts, the warnings that come to mind without our intending to, are normal thoughts. Brains are designed, above all else, to notice patterns and increase the likelihood of survival. Remembering that your phone is likely covered with germs is normal. Noticing something about your partner that is less than ideal is normal. Even if you don’t morally agree with the warning or want to act on it, having random thoughts is part of the human condition. It is when the distress from these thoughts interferes with our ability to function and enjoy our lives that this becomes a disorder.

To re-iterate: Having random thoughts is normal, it is when the distress from our thoughts, and the steps we take to relieve that distress, inhibits our ability to function that this may count as a disorder.

Often those with OCD they will wonder “is this really OCD?” People may wonder this at the beginning of their treatment, during, or years after they’ve completed treatment and learned to manage their symptoms. Their brain is simply sending a warning that says in effect “was this diagnosis accurate or is there something to be worried about here?” This is especially common for those who are accustomed to a certain theme in their OCD when a new theme arises, for instance who has always worried about the safety of their family suddenly being concerned that they have correctly identified their sexual preference and experiencing worry that they may not now for certain and thus may never be able to live their happiest life. Regardless of the specific themes, the individual is left wondering if this new concern is OCD or if there really is something to worry about.

The thing is, you don’t know.

There may be something to worry about, or maybe there isn’t.

Treatment for OCD involves accepting the possibility of a feared outcome. Maybe you are going to get someone you love sick. Maybe there is someone out there who would have been a more compatible romantic partner. Even if these things are unlikely they are still possible. Accepting that possibility is the cornerstone of treatment for OCD. Whether something actually is OCD or is not is actually irrelevant. Accepting that uncertainty, learning to be comfortable with a certain amount of discomfort until it is so minor it fades into the background, is both the treatment and the goal.

Treatment with a qualified psychologist can help you answer the question if you do have OCD or not, and how to respond to all the other worries and concerns life can bring our way.

Follow the links provided if you would like help finding a therapist that would be a good fit for you. Whatever your problems or your price range are there is someone out there that can help.