Obsessive compulsive?

I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but I lead a normal life for a student, going out with friends, etc, however when I do my daily rituals I feel that if I don't do them something grave or terrifying might happen to me, is this normal for an OCD sufferer?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms include both obsessions and compulsions. OCD symptoms can be severe and time-consuming. For instance, someone who feels that his or her hands have become contaminated by germs 鈥?an obsession 鈥?may spend hours washing them each day 鈥?a compulsion. The focus on hand washing may be so great that he or she can accomplish little else.

Obsessions
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent, unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that you experience involuntarily and that appear to be senseless. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things.

Typical OCD obsessions revolve around:

Fear of contamination or dirt
Repeated doubts
Having things orderly and symmetrical
Aggressive or horrific impulses
Sexual images
OCD symptoms involving obsessions may include:

Fear of being contaminated by shaking hands or by touching objects others have touched
Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the stove
Repeated thoughts that you've hurt someone in a traffic accident
Intense distress when objects aren't orderly, lined up properly or facing the right way
Images of hurting your child
Impulses to shout obscenities in inappropriate situations
Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands
Replaying pornographic images in your mind
Dermatitis because of frequent hand washing
Skin lesions because of picking at the skin
Hair loss or bald spots because of hair pulling
Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress related to your obsessions. For instance, if you believe you ran over someone in your car, you may return to the scene over and over because you just can't shake your doubts. You may even make up rules or rituals to follow that help control the anxiety you feel when having obsessive thoughts.

Typical compulsions revolve around:

~Washing and cleaning
~Counting
~Checking
~Demanding reassurances
~Repeating actions over and over
~Arranging and making items appear orderly
OCD symptoms involving compulsions may include:

~Washing hands until the skin becomes raw
~Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked
~Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off
~Counting in certain patterns

I have not been diognosed with ocd but I believe i suffer from this as well. I have the exact same thoughts. If i don't do one of my rituals then I feel like sumone will die or something.

Yes, it is perfectly normal for someone with OCD. Don't worry about it, as you say you lead a normal life. If, however, it begins to bother you to the point that you can't function in normal society (Think like the TV show "Monk") then you may want to talk to a specialist. Until that time happens, if ever, have a great life! Everyone has quirks, so relax and keep up your positive outlook.

Thats definitely a normal symptom of OCD. I suggest counseling to find out why you do this and hopefully fix it.

For years I felt so alone with OCD and in fact didn't even know there was a name for it. I thought I would never be able to get married and never be able to have a happy life. Howard Stern had OCD. When you turn around 40 it pretty much goes away although mine came back after 911 but not as bad as when I was young. You CAN fight it but it's really hard. I think those SSRI drugs help. Carbs help. It's chemical, I'm sure... so keep telling yourself that.... nothing bad will happen, this is an anxiety symptom. I wish you the best of luck. I still feel that compulsion and I hate it but it's much less than when in my 20s.

ya it is. I have OCD and i believe if i dont do my rituals, someone i love will die. It sounds ridiculous writing it but its true. What i do to control the rituals is i ask myself, will this really happen if i dont do this? and i think really hard about it, then i can think rationally.

How do you define normal? People without OCD may wash their hands to prevent germs and may become anxious if they didn't wash their hands and are seated at a table waiting to eat. Is this normal? My suggestion is--if you are able to live your life and meet your needs regularly and are not a danger to yourself or others, then you'll be just fine. If you begin to question whether you are ok, err on the side of caution and talk to a professional to make sure you are ok. Good luck!

1. Its not a disorder unless you cannot go about your daily life.
2. Uh, do your chores.