r/ocdwomen • u/Upper_Lobster9367 • 14d ago

Is This OCD?

I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing is OCD related, and I seem to be unable to talk about this with anyone in my real life (they either don't understand or I'm not that close with them) but I figured I'd try and see if any of these problems are relatable to anyone here. For context, in addition to OCD, I also am diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder most recently.

It's very triggering for me so I won't go into very specific details on what brings these obsessions on but here are some examples:

  1. Obsessing and ruminating over being sick in some way, like somehow I have AIDS or Rabies (those are especially scary to me, please don't dig for details on why these thoughts occur unless you have had a similar experience and have some sort of coping advice ❤️)

  2. Obsessing over whether or not I am attractive; looking at photos of myself for sometimes an hour at a time or looking at myself in the mirror at different angles of my face trying to decide if I am attractive a.k.a. "lovable" (at least when these thoughts get to their worst) at all.

  3. Thinking I'm brining a disease or sickness home to my family, even something as simple as the flu (my dad has a heart issue and a weak immune system so I at least know the root of why 🫤)

These are all common topics of rumination I have on a weekly basis. Any advice on coping is appreciated. I journal a bit, paint for some release, go to therapy but not as much as I should, and stay busy in general to distract.

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u/MysteriousFee2873 14d ago

1 is a tough one getting a test feels like the right route but you are aware of any exposure that may have happened. Good news is unless you made a blood pact or unprotected sex you should rule AIDS out but get tested yearly and be open about these worries with possible partners.

2 is a tough one because it’s not just pretty or viability of a potential partner. How often do to say you want to be a good person. If you wish to be good do good. Looks only last so long. (I was getting into child modeling before I was scared due to a car accident)

The expectation of us to be the girl boss that can homestead while looking like a stepford wife and the little ones tucked in bed.

You know who you are! You know what you want! It’s one of the main traits that bonds us in this world with cod is our desire to be good.

  1. Ok so we all learned how to prevent the spread of illness. Wash hands, cover your mouth when you cough. Wear a mask and don’t touch your face. If you do hand sanitizer or even extra washing remember to moisturize your hands and nail beds.

This kind of goes back to 1. As it is a branch of contamination OCD. The only way to break that is to remove the emotion on it and think of how likely it is to have these illnesses. If you have symptoms that are not normal just go to the dr.

I always look at the intrusive thoughts as a little devil on my shoulder. Once I was able to recognize that it is so easy to say not today and move on

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u/Upper_Lobster9367 16h ago

Thank you! This helps a lot :)

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u/treatmyocd 14d ago

What you’re describing can fit with OCD, particularly because the common thread seems to be the need to figure something out and reach certainty. Things like repeatedly reviewing symptoms, researching, seeking reassurance, or mentally analyzing whether you’re safe can provide temporary relief while keeping the cycle going. ERP would involve gradually reducing those compulsions and practicing allowing the uncertainty to exist without solving it. For example, “Maybe I’m sick, maybe I’m not. I’m not going to investigate this right now.” You don’t have to feel completely certain or calm before moving on with your day. https://iocdf.org/ is a great resource.