Understanding OCD

[Tobin S.]

I have a good friend who shares an interest in spiritual matters with me. We usually get together once a week and talk about such things. This friend also has an issue with germs and getting sick.

I went to a seminar last weekend that was about spirituality. I had a great time and got to meet a couple of my heroes there in person for the first time. When I came home on Sunday, my friend came over and I was telling him about this wonderful event. But he didn't stay very long, much shorter than usual. I thought something was out of place with that, especially seeing as how I had some great news to share with him.

I've been having a little trouble with my sinuses the past few days, and it makes my voice sound like I have a cold.

So I called my friend last night because I had some things to add that I had forgotten to relay to him last weekend. So I'm talking about all of this great stuff and he acts totally disinterested.

Then he asks, "Do you have a cold?"

There it was.

All he could think about the past few days was getting a cold from me. It had totally enveloped his frame of mind making everything else seem unimportant.

I assured him that it was just sinuses. But it was then that I realized how much an illness like OCD can affect one's life, and I don't think my friend has a particularly bad case of it.

[elleng]

1. Sounds peculiar to me.

A few of my friends have OCD (according TO ME, that is,) but I'm not aware of behavior like that of your friend; they 'just' keep organizing things, mine, theirs, and ours!!!

[Tobin S.]

2. An irrational fear of grerms and getting sick is classic OCD.

Have you ever seen that show Monk? The main character in that show had a severe case of OCD: fear of germs and getting sick, obsessive hand washing, obsessed with cleanliness. Also, have you ever seen someone who constantly wears a surgical mask and surgical gloves? That's a more severe case of OCD, but it's in the same ballpark as what my friend has.

[hunter]

3. OCD sucks.

My meds work well enough.

My wife won't even consider those sorts of meds because her OCD often coincides beneficially in her work.

Years ago, when I was working in a blood bank, my own OCD was similarly useful. OCD has also been useful writing computer software, staying up all night to get some bit of machine code just right.

But not so useful when I'm plucking "bad" hairs out of my skin or doing things over and over again, things I got plenty well enough first try.

Ever the scientist, I figure my wife and I are wasting at least four to six hours a day between us on OCD shit.