OCD Symptoms in Our Family

Our family seems to have an overabundance of OCD symptoms. Now, we are not to the extreme and only have several of the symptoms. My husband, for example, keeps his egg cartons in a very "orderly" fashion. He takes the eggs out the same way every time, every thing has to be even. All of us "count things," no matter where we are it just happens in our minds without us really being aware that we are doing it. I knew I did stuff like that all my life, but then my sister-in-law started talking about things she did. I have used the information about OCD from the Mayo Clinic for you to check your symptoms.

 

My question is do you have OCD type things you do?

 

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff
Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms include both obsessions and compulsions.
Obsession symptomsOCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that you have involuntarily and that seem to make no sense. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things.
Obsessions often have themes to them, such as:

• Fear of contamination or dirt
• Having things orderly and symmetrical
• Aggressive or horrific impulses
• Sexual images or thoughts

Obsession symptoms and signs may include:

• Fear of being contaminated by shaking hands or by touching objects others have touched
• Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the stove
• Thoughts that you've hurt someone in a traffic accident
• Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing the right way
• Images of hurting your child
• Impulses to shout obscenities in inappropriate situations
• Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands
• Replaying pornographic images in your mind
• Dermatitis because of frequent hand washing
• Skin lesions because of picking at your skin
• Hair loss or bald spots because of hair pulling

Compulsion symptomsOCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your obsessions. For instance, if you believe you hit someone with your car, you may return to the apparent scene over and over because you just can't shake your doubts. You may also make up rules or rituals to follow that help control the anxiety you feel when having obsessive thoughts.
As with obsessions, compulsions typically have themes, such as:

• Washing and cleaning
• Counting
• Checking
• Demanding reassurances
• Performing the same action repeatedly
• Orderliness

Compulsion symptoms and signs may include:

• Hand washing until your skin becomes raw
• Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked
• Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off
• Counting in certain patterns
• Arranging your canned goods to face the same way

Symptoms usually begin gradually and tend to vary in severity throughout your life. Symptoms generally worsen during times when you're experiencing more stress. OCD is considered a lifelong illness.