5 Signs To Tell If You Have OCD

Do you find yourself hooked on to that hand sanitizer? And have you always been on an organizing spree? Mannerisms like these can usually be marked up to personality or preferences. But sometimes, it could also indicate a more serious issue: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is featured by obsessive thoughts and compulsions. OCD affects about 1 in 40 adults in the U.S.

Here are some signs that can tell if you have OCD:

1. Compulsive hand-washing- Repetitive hand-washing or using hand sanitizer over and over is a very common sign of OCD. They often have the urge for hand-washing because they fear germs or infections. The obsession can also be rooted in fears of being impure, spreading the infections or making other people sick.

2. Overenthusiastic cleaning- Individuals with OCD tend to clean repeatedly. Housecleaning on a compulsive nature is often a way of easing their germaphobia or feelings of impurity. Although they feel a little relief when they clean around, it doesn’t last long. The urge returns and intensifies further the next time. While it is very normal to keep one’s surroundings clean, if you spend many hours daily for cleaning, it can be related to OCD. And if you feel terribly anxious if someone or something stops you from cleaning, it could be a sure sign of OCD.

3. Inspecting behavior- It is a normal human tendency to double-check something once in a while. But if it interferes with your normal life or starts getting a ritual, it could be a red flag. Obsessive checking behaviors like returning more than a couple of times or even 10-20 times if you have turned off your stove or locked your door could indicate OCD. Investigating or checking something multiple times could be driven by various obsessions ranging from fears of getting hurt or subconscious feelings of irresponsibility.

4. Recurrent unwanted sexual thoughts- People with OCD might have violent thoughts and recurring unwanted sexual thoughts. They tend to have inappropriate or taboo sexual behavior on a frequent basis. They have imaginations like groping a coworker or molesting a child and wonder if they belong to a different sexual orientation (Gay instead of straight or vice versa). Although you might not really want to do such things, your OCD might make you have such thoughts. If you tend to change your behavior such as avoiding gay friends or known ones you’ve had sexual feelings for, it could be a red flag.

5. Always seeking reassurance- Individuals with OCD always ask for others’ opinions about everything. They find it soothing their anxiety levels. All of us seek the opinions of our dear ones at various points in life. But when you catch yourself repeatedly asking someone a question or the need for reassuring yourself with something can be a sign of OCD.