Symptoms Of OCD

QUESTION: Symptoms of OCD – How can I tell if I need help?

ANSWER:

Do I have the symptoms of OCD? The symptoms of OCD vary from individual to individual. Some of the more common obsessive symptoms are:

• Worrying about germs, infection, contamination.
• Need for things to be extremely organized -- books on a shelf, cans in a cabinet, items on a desk.
• Fear of losing something. Hoarding items because they might be able to be used at a later time.
• Fear of not doing something. Not turning off the lights, not extinguishing a candle, not paying a bill.
• Rituals. Repeating the same thing over and over and over again.

The compulsion side of OCD acts on the obsessive thoughts of OCD:

• Washing hands, washing tables, and so on
• Arranging books, cans, items in alphabetical or content order
• Hoarding items
• Constantly checking to make sure lights are off, stove is off
• Constantly praying and confessing

These items are in no way a comprehensive list, but they will give you an idea of how symptoms of OCD are manifested.

The best thing to do if you have many of these symptoms is to contact your physician and be referred to a professional for help. You are not alone; many have similar issues. We tend to think we are the only one suffering with something until we start to talk about it. Once we do, we see there are others like us and we can take steps to overcome.

God is always on our side. He wants us to be well and to have the life He has ordained for us. In Philippians 4:13, we are told, “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” We need to lean on God who can carry us.