Six characteristics of OCD
1. Overestimation of Risk- worry that things are much more dangerous than they are.
2. Excessive feelings of responsibility- worry you are responsible for something bad happening.
3. Controllability- feel out of control.
4. Over importance of thoughts-listen to anxious thoughts instead of seeing that they are a product of anxiety.
5. Intolerance of ambiguity- must know what is going on in order to stay calm.
6. Perfectionism- Everything has its place and must stay there.
People with bipolar disorder may share some of these characteristics. I certainly deal with 3, 4 and 5 regularly!
Do you have OCD symptoms during mood swings? Are they triggered by outside events?
Julie
PS: OCD is an anxiety disorder that stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The Obsessive part is the worry- did I turn off the stove, is she going to call, did I hit a man while driving, are things in order like they should be? These obsessions are so uncomfortable, a person creates a compulsion in order to calm the thoughts such as checking the stove, going back to the place you thought you hit a man, checking the phone every few seconds and putting things in order such as the crayons in the picture. OCD is treatable- mostly with behavioral therapy.
This is a definitely great learn for me, Ought to admit that you’re one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative post.
I don’t know if I’m too late to even post a comment. I have been browsing through the various topics. VERY informative and helpful. This particular subject about OCD and Bipolar interests me. I wasn’t aware that it was so common. Yet, I don’t understand my own obsessive thoughts or where they came from. I am always thinking about paper cutting my eyeball or slicing my achilles tendon. These thoughts make the relative body parts actually hurt! I have no idea why or when these thoughts pop into my head but I can’t get rid of them! Sometimes I wrap my ankles in ace bandages for the psychological ‘protection’ from the unseen knife. Or last time I was in the hospital having the thoughts about my eyeball, they gave me an ice pack to carry around and cover my eye. It was embarrassing but hey, all of us in there have problems. Do you have any suggestions or even an explanation?
Hi Heather,
That is what happens to me when I have mild psychosis. I see myself get killed, maimed, poked, cut etc. All of the good stuff! I didn’t know what it was until I learned more about the illness. I have a lot less psychosis now. Mine is definitely stress related. Did this happen after you went off the Abilify? That is the main question. It can definitely be OCD as it’s a repetitive thought. I deal with this in a few ways- meds of course- then trigger management. Is there anything that triggers these episodes? Could be a stress reaction in general. And then , the hardest to treat is if it’s simply a part of the illness and has nothing to do with any outside influence. I suggest behavior modification help. For example, when I get obsessed= and it is awful – I talk to myself and say,”You have bipolar disorder. This is a part of bipolar disorder. Treat the bipolar disorder first. This is not real.” I do this every time an uncomfortable thought comes up.
You have some questions to answer:
1. Did I have the same symptoms when I was on an anti psychotic?
2. Are these obsessions triggered by events or certain situations?
3. Is it OCD or psychosis?
4. How can I talk to myself to deal with what is going on while I get help.
Those of us on this site know that what you are going through is real. I wish you luck in figuring out exactly what is going on so that you can find relief!
Julie
Thanks for the info and insight, Julie – as usual, you amaze me. I do deal with the OCD on occasion, well, all the time, but the weird and more difficult parts less.
My all the time every day OCD is that whatever I write on (pen & paper sort of writing) has to be PERFECT. I cannot scratch out a word & keep writing. Oh no. Impossible. I have to have a fresh sheet & start writing all over. Liquid Paper is not permissible either – too yucky looking. Fortunately, the new “roll on” correction tape is usually permissible. LOL – oh yes, my weirdness!!
You’ve picked out six characters or symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are great. As you’ve described these in such a descriptive way. Hope another great article on another topic in further time