Posted by Racer on March 21, 2007, at 16:03:49
In reply to How Do I Know If I Have OCD?, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 11:37:26
Well, there's OCD, and then there's OCPD -- Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. The easiest way to distinguish the two that I've ever heard is that OCD causes discomfort for the person who has it, OCPD causes discomfort for everyone around that person... That's a simplistic way of putting it, but it kinda does work, from what I understand about the two.
OCD can be purely obsessive, or it can include compulsions. The compulsions are a way to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions. The obsessions may be related to dirt or germs, or they can be anything. You know that old rhyme, "Step on a crack?" If you think of that and avoid stopping on any cracks in the sidewalk, at any time, for any reason, to the point of walking around an area with too many cracks, that might be OCD. Having a specific place for cheese in the fridge is more OCPD, I'd say.
There's a lot of overlap, though. My "official" dx includes a note saying "Obsessive Compulsive Personality Traits." I do have certain silly compulsions -- if I raise or lower the volume on the TV or stereo, it has to go to an even number; I have to use three paper towels in a public restroom, really stupid things -- but the bottom line on it is that they don't interfere with my functioning. (That I can tell...) OCPD is more a diagnosis meaning "perfectionist."
What is it that your doctor is basing his/her opinion on? Didn't he/she say what it is that makes you look as though you have OCD?
And even if it's true, OCD is basically a slightly more focused anxiety disorder. It's not a badge of shame.
Hope that helps...
poster:Racer
thread:742798
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/742894.html