But seriously, how do I know if I really do have (R)OCD?

I thought a follow up on this question would be really useful as I was talking to someone, I know recently who struggles with the same intrusive thoughts over and over but has immense trouble in being able to acknowledge that they have OCD. 'What if I am just appropriating what you have', 'what if it's just because I read about it and now I have taken it on?'  The doubt is one of the most defining features of any type of OCD.
It took me many years to understand it and accept it and I read widely and was even diagnosed with it but yet I still couldn’t accept it. It is probably because of its very nature, the ‘doubting’ element to it that is in some way to blame. 
 So anyway, I thought a checklist of questions might be quite helpful in helping you come to understanding that first and so important step.
 
1.     Are you reading this? If you are reading this there is a very high indication you have OCD – why else would you be reading it?
2.     Is there a repeated theme to the thoughts that keep popping in your head causing you so much upset?
3.     Is there a flip-flop between 2 ideas? I think or feel like this, I’m definitely sure. Oh no now I think something completely different. OK that’s how I really feel. Oh no I’m back to thinking how I felt before and that must be the truth. Oh no I’m back to thinking the other way now. Flip-flop, back and forth between 2 main positions.
4.     Do you do often get lost in your head thinking about these thoughts when people or your partner are talking to you? You just aren’t quite there because in your head you’re trying to work out for sure what you really think about them and about your relationship. Obviously, you can exchange this for whatever your particular brand of OCD is. The point is you are not present and able to be very present in the conversation as you are busy jabbering away in your head between the 2 different states.
5.     Thought’s pop into your head that I can’t control or get rid of. I mean this is the most basic one. We all get thoughts that pop in our head that are weird and some very weird. That’s normal. If you have OCD, the difference is, it will cause you distress and you can’t let them go. 
6.     Do you try and get rid of the thoughts by thinking something else? You might have to be very quick about this as it might happen very quickly in your head but if you try and make yourself better by thinking something else after you have had the distressing thought, chance is…. (and obviously if you are carrying out a physical action to make yourself feel better then this is also a high indication).
7.     You might try and steer clear of the situation in case the thoughts come back or to try and stop them coming back so you might find you are changing your behaviours just in case it triggers them. If you are changing your behaviours to try and fit in with a worry in your mind, then it’s a pointer for sure.
8.     Do the thoughts and feelings get worse when you are stressed or your body is under more stress after alcohol, lack of food and lack of sleep? Good sleep and a good diet are 2 of the best anti-dotes to OCD, so lack of it will certainly make it noticeably worse. 
9.     Do you have a feeling of something not being quite right? You either have the distressing thoughts and that is horrible but if you choose not to go with them or dismiss them (which is definitely good work by the way!) then do you then have a feeling or something not being quite right that doesn’t sit very well with you. It’s a classic sign.

10.  Personality types. Are you a creative person? Are you conscientiousness? Do you like to have control, be in control, feel much safer when you have control? Have black and white thinking?  Do you worry a lot about the future? (Or someone else’s future). Do you NEED to know… for SURE? I.e., do you need certainty? (And good luck with that because the one thing life is, is not certain and that’s a good starting point by the way for tackling OCD, getting used to that idea). Do you take on too much responsibility thinking that everything is on you? (People have their own lives and can make their own decisions but somehow you think it’s all down to you and that you are responsible for whatever situation you are worrying about? Are you quite an impulsive type person? Here’s another kicker: do you have trouble making decisions? It might feel totally normal making decisions after spending a few months thinking about it from every conceivable angle but guess what, not everyone is like that. And lastly, do you suffer from what could be called ’perfectionism’? Does everything need to be exactly right. If it’s not exactly right then it must be wrong? Surely that makes sense? Well again, no, it might be good enough and well in fact, that’s all there is, perfect doesn’t really exist. Good enough is OK, good enough is healthy.

 
Anyway, I will add to this list in the future but if you kind of answered yes to all 10, then everything is pointing in the OCD direction. And like I pointed out in Step 1, acceptance is everything to getting and feeling better. I would encourage anyone in fact, if they have answered yes to all of these questions to get along to your local GP and talk it through and they will stick you on a waiting list for someone to help you. If you’re reading this, I am totally with you because you have probably been suffering in your mind for many years and have never really understood yourself properly or what has been going on with you and probably feel very confused. My head was a jumbled-up plate of spaghetti when I started on my journey 20 years ago, it takes time to unravel but having a one-to-one chat with someone even for 5 minutes could be the start of a great new life for you. Remember you can always email me on rocdrecovery@gmail.com if you would like to talk for free about absolutely anything.