OCD HELP!

[ryan95780]

I think i have some form of OCD, i am always checking light switches, socket/plug switches, taps, doors, windows ect. Sometimes i check them over and over and over again, and then i will go away and have the thought of did i lock that? or, did i turn that off?... then  go back and check them again. I am only 16 years old and I am male, i also wash my hands quite often and I am paranoid about getting serious illnesses such as HIV even though i am not sexually active, but i still worry. Do you think I have OCD... Should i ask my GP for help or advice?

[JGF25]

Hi Ryan, sorry you are going through this.  Actually you should ask your parents to find a good psychologist for you.  Now is the time to get the diagnosis and start treatment whether it be CBT, medication or both.  For the interim, at least for the checking, try to use a verbal technique.  When you lock the door say out loud "the door is locked" and then don't let yourself go back and check.  You need to remember your verbal cue that the door is locked.  You can apply this technique to anything that you have problems with as far as checking goes.  But you really need to stop yourself if you can from going back again and checking.  I started out with a checking problem just like you.  

For the hand washing, you need to do the same thing.  I know it is hard but you need to remind yourself that people touch surfaces every day and they don't get sick.  You also need to start limiting how many times you wash your hands.  So if you are washing them 10 times today then tomorrow try to only do it 9 times, and so forth until you can get to a more normal amount of times.  

The psychologist will be a tremendous help to you.  Some GPs are okay, mine is but then I have been dealing with OCD for years and already learned the techniques that I use to get through the rough patches.  Trust me, this is a good first step.

Take care of you!

[hehapu]

Hey
I´m not a doctor but according what you have described your worries aren´t healthy. I suffer from similar fears and I have seeked for professional help and I suggest that you do too. Ask you GP for advice, sooner you get the help the better.