could this be OCD??

[Jen1101]

I was wondering if this could be an OCD..I have an issue with everything being in a certain place, and everything has to be clean as well. It has recently been effecting my life, but I refuse to speak to a doctor about it because I am sure it will be another medicine they will want me to take. I clean all day, and there is times when I cant sleep I will get up and find something to dust, or try to organize an area. I have 2 small children, and I swear I walk around all day picking up everything they leave around becuase the sight of something being where it shoudnt be freaks me out. I know that might have sounded worse that I probably really am, its hard for me to explain from my point of view with out it sounding really bad. Like the other day my husband pulled out a dresser because something fell behind it and I ran off to get the vaccum becuase there was dust behind it and I would not have been able to NOT clean that. I also have ADHD so sitting in one place is very hard for me, so instead of walking around in circles, I keep myself pacing by cleaning. I like everything to be organized and I think that has alot to do with my ADHD. I have always failed school from being so un-organized, and it has always effected my life, and recetly I have been able to control that and learn how to make sure everything was where I want it this way i didnt feel so lost in my own house. I will sit and try to write down some more things that I do constantly with the whole cleaning and dirt phobias, because I am confusing myself now..lol
I just want to know that is this could possibly be a OCD or just that I like everything to be clean and in place maybe becuase I am ADHD. Also what are the meds for OCD and how do they effect some of you. Has it made it better or worse. Are they long term, you have to be on them for life in order to live OCD free, and are they habot forming. This could alos be an OCD coming out in me, I hate meds, I dont want to take anything, I would rather try to control this life of mine on my own rather than medicate myself. I think when you begin taking meds the issues worsens and makes you dependable on medications. Sorry for going on and on, just need alittle guidance. Thank you all for your time and may god bless
oh and another thing I Just remembered, when i walk into a room i have to touch something in that room and make sure it is straight or move it to be in a certain place that I want it to be. if that makes any sense

[ummtray]

Hey there, I've had ADD my whole life and people tease me all the time about the obsessive ways I clean and organize unnecessary things. For example, today I was at home when I realized that earlier I brought my sunglasses and pack of gum in which belong in the glove compartment of my car. I was watchin tv when I noticed this mind u in shorts and a tee-shirt when it was a blizzard outside but I knew I had to put them back where they belonged immediately b4 i forgot..i kept thinkin of myself on the road the next day without gum or my stunna shades lol!  ANyyyways to most ppl it would not have been a big deal to bring them out the next time they went out (in normal winter gear)but 4 me it had to be done right then. Also I don't ever share food with any1 and when I was younger I, if someone burped around where I was eatting I feared that their burp got into my food so I tossed it immediately--how ridiculous i know! haha...but anyways, through my experience I really think it;s common for ppl w/ ADD to have slight OCD because it's our way of coping with our unforgettfullness. I'm also just like you where I never sit still so to channel all of my energy when I have nothing to do I clean like a madwoman! To be honest though I think we should be proud of our  OCD-like habits because that's our brains working pro-actively to beat our ADD! People without them probably lose everything and live in clutter...and at least were not doing bad things with our extra energy--no1 ever died from having to clean a house right? hahha. Also, I've heard that the only prescription for OCD is Zoloft so I would try to stay away and just learn to embrace it in a positive way :) Good Luck and happy holidays!

[hmf099]

If you are worried a dr will just put you on medication, talk to a therapist. I'm not a therapist or a dr this is all opinion and expirience but I'm not medicated (I probably should be, I see a shrink soon) but therapy is a big help for ocd. As far as if you have it, you have to ask yourself some questions. Do people close to you notice this? Is it negatively affecting your life? These are questions I was asked. I have my own question though. Is your urge to clean so bad that you touch things when you walk into a room at other peoples homes? I just ask because when my ocd started one of my compulsions was bodily cleanliness, and I wouldn't stay with friends or family out of town because I had to bathe atleast 3 times a day. I'm just wondering if you have any avoidence behaviors like I did/do.

[Wolverine819]

Hi Jen
because we are listed as friends when you joined here it showed on my friends activites list on my homepage.
Cant help you with your question,but just wanted to say Hi,glad to see you are on the site again
hope to talk soon
Nick