Do I have OCD?
Discussion
Not something I'd ever thought about, until the other day when a customer (who seemed quite intelligent) quite confidently said I had OCD.
I'm a Plumber by trade and was repairing a leak at this lady's house, we got onto the subject of double checking things when she diagnosed me on the spot.
Anywho, I did some research on-line and the only thing I could relate to was checking about making mistakes.
When I complete a job, I will sometimes take ten minutes to check I havn't left a leak. I couldn't physically leave the job with out doing it. But other times, I won't really think about it, just double check and leave.
Also, when performing certain tasks, usually ones that I associate with massive danger (tightening up test nipples on gas meters, sample points on flues etc) I have to tell myself at the time " I am tightening the test nipple". If I don't make myself aware of it, I will panic and won't stop thinking about it, to the point where I have driven back miles to make sure I have. I'm the same with locking doors to other peoples property.
All the times I've returned, things have been left in a safe situation!
I personally think I'm just a just a little bit paranoid, as I've only been Plumbing for four years. Its just the way the Lady said so confidently that I have OCD, it made wonder.
Any views?
I'm a Plumber by trade and was repairing a leak at this lady's house, we got onto the subject of double checking things when she diagnosed me on the spot.
Anywho, I did some research on-line and the only thing I could relate to was checking about making mistakes.
When I complete a job, I will sometimes take ten minutes to check I havn't left a leak. I couldn't physically leave the job with out doing it. But other times, I won't really think about it, just double check and leave.
Also, when performing certain tasks, usually ones that I associate with massive danger (tightening up test nipples on gas meters, sample points on flues etc) I have to tell myself at the time " I am tightening the test nipple". If I don't make myself aware of it, I will panic and won't stop thinking about it, to the point where I have driven back miles to make sure I have. I'm the same with locking doors to other peoples property.
All the times I've returned, things have been left in a safe situation!
I personally think I'm just a just a little bit paranoid, as I've only been Plumbing for four years. Its just the way the Lady said so confidently that I have OCD, it made wonder.
Any views?
Everyone has oddities in their life, literally everyone will do strange things like checking doors, light switches, and worry when they don't need to. Honest, ask anyone and they will say "oh yes, i'm a bit OCD about some things".
Someone who suffers from OCD will take this to the extreme, to the point it changes the way they live their life and has a (usualy) negative impact. Living with OCD can make some peoples life very difficult, as normal day to day tasks become an impossibly complicated routine of worrys and phobias that require checking/reassurance/repeating the same task in order for the individual to be able to get on with their life.
Someone who suffers from OCD will know that what they are doing is totally irrational, but they cannot not do it (whatever that might be). Worrying about a possible deadly gas leak I wouldn't peronally say is that irrational.
My opinion is that someone can only be classed as having OCD if it effects their life in a substantial way.
I leant my friend my Nintendo Wii and he said he cleaned it all for me. He did this before he used it - after more probing, he had said he had even removed the battery covers for the remotes and cleaned inside there, including the batteries.
That's OCD.
I think you just need a few more early nights. Double checking things too frequently, is down to lack of sleep and/or lack of focus. Get into a proper routine...
I used to be like you as a car mechanic. Would finish a job, torque the wheels...then go round all 4 wheels again to make sure. Why? If you know you've done it right first time, there is no need. So, I got into a system where I always start with the O/S/F wheel...and end on the N/S/F. Once I've done the N/S/F I know I can put the wheel caps back on and put the locking wheel nut key back in the car.
Same principle when doing cambelts, clutches...lay things in order of taking them off, put them back in said order. Easy stuff...(he says typing at 01:03am with work at 08:30am!
That's OCD.
I think you just need a few more early nights. Double checking things too frequently, is down to lack of sleep and/or lack of focus. Get into a proper routine...
I used to be like you as a car mechanic. Would finish a job, torque the wheels...then go round all 4 wheels again to make sure. Why? If you know you've done it right first time, there is no need. So, I got into a system where I always start with the O/S/F wheel...and end on the N/S/F. Once I've done the N/S/F I know I can put the wheel caps back on and put the locking wheel nut key back in the car.
Same principle when doing cambelts, clutches...lay things in order of taking them off, put them back in said order. Easy stuff...(he says typing at 01:03am with work at 08:30am!
T84 said:
OCD isn't just about checking things, do some reading about it, some of the symptoms can be pretty horrific, I think its been trivialised over the years because of the stereotypical symptoms! Horrible illness.
I'd second T84s statement.I've got a type of OCD and I've had it since (as far as I can tell) I was about 15. It's not what I'd expect people to think about when you mention OCD, it's certainly not a 'stereotypical' checking or double checking symptom.
Edited by UncleRic on Thursday 26th August 14:39
Hope I haven't offended any genuine sufferers! Its just after the Lady said so confidently I had it and I read up on the symptoms, one website had a section on constantly checking for mistakes, which a lot of it I could relate with, it just made me wonder. I've never once thought I have it, just wanted some others views.
I'm pretty clueless about OCD tbh, not sure if you can have some of the symptoms without the others. Even though my little Brother has it I don't see him much, so I know little about it.
Agreed some of the symptoms are horrendous.
I'm pretty clueless about OCD tbh, not sure if you can have some of the symptoms without the others. Even though my little Brother has it I don't see him much, so I know little about it.
Agreed some of the symptoms are horrendous.
T84 said:
Have you been treated for it?
Is that directed towards Ricky?Anyway.. not wanting to hijack his thread..
Friends and family have picked up on the effects of it from time to time but I just try and laugh it off / change the subject quickly. No, I've never been to a GP to discuss it, probably largely due to embarrassment.
Edited by UncleRic on Thursday 26th August 14:40
Google [bot] said:
Sounds more to me like admirable conscientiousness rather than an obsessive disorder.
I'd echo this, it doesn't sound as if you have anything to be concerned about 
You may be slightly OCPD (something I "suffer" and receive help with) but if you focus on the positive traits and work on the perceived negatives it's not a bad thing.
Ultimately I think society and the medical profession are very keen to label people these days, I consider myself to be perfectly normal but what I do and how I am is just "me", we are a diverse bunch, who's to say which one of us is the model citizen?
Sounds like professional behaviour rather than OCD to me.
We all have things where we do not remember doing something because whilst it might be important it is so automatic that your brain is on other things. Locking the final exit door on the way out is a prime and common example.
Also we all have oddities that might be classed as OCD and are they genetic? For example a family member and I have the same hang up about watching TV series from anything other than season 1 episode 1. We will often, but not 100% always wait for it to come round again rather than pick it up where it is. But having watched it then can dip in and out on whatever is showing without any issues.
Does that class as OCD? Possibly because it means I may miss some entertainment series that I would enjoy. Does my life suffer as a result? Hardly, if at all.
We all have things where we do not remember doing something because whilst it might be important it is so automatic that your brain is on other things. Locking the final exit door on the way out is a prime and common example.
Also we all have oddities that might be classed as OCD and are they genetic? For example a family member and I have the same hang up about watching TV series from anything other than season 1 episode 1. We will often, but not 100% always wait for it to come round again rather than pick it up where it is. But having watched it then can dip in and out on whatever is showing without any issues.
Does that class as OCD? Possibly because it means I may miss some entertainment series that I would enjoy. Does my life suffer as a result? Hardly, if at all.
Having just read about OCD it is quite an eye opener for me.
I'm ALWAYS double checking to see if the car doors are locked, my locker at work and even my front door! I'm feeling rather worried now as anxiety is also an issue for me. The more I read about it the more I think I'm suffering from it
Maybe I'm just overreacting and as somebody here has already mentioned I am probably just being conscientious rather than obsessive.
I'm ALWAYS double checking to see if the car doors are locked, my locker at work and even my front door! I'm feeling rather worried now as anxiety is also an issue for me. The more I read about it the more I think I'm suffering from it
Maybe I'm just overreacting and as somebody here has already mentioned I am probably just being conscientious rather than obsessive.
Ricky_M said:
Not something I'd ever thought about, until the other day when a customer (who seemed quite intelligent) quite confidently said I had OCD.
... double checking things when she diagnosed me on the spot........
.....I will sometimes take ten minutes to check I havn't left a leak. I couldn't physically leave the job with out doing it........
........I have to tell myself at the time " I am tightening the test nipple". If I don't make myself aware of it, I will panic and won't stop thinking about it, to the point where I have driven back miles to make sure I have. I'm the same with locking doors to other peoples property........
It is called 'a craftsman plying his trade'.... double checking things when she diagnosed me on the spot........
.....I will sometimes take ten minutes to check I havn't left a leak. I couldn't physically leave the job with out doing it........
........I have to tell myself at the time " I am tightening the test nipple". If I don't make myself aware of it, I will panic and won't stop thinking about it, to the point where I have driven back miles to make sure I have. I'm the same with locking doors to other peoples property........
I do it, speak to myself sometimes when I'm doing something important. When I swap generators or big compressors at work I'll speak out loud, to myself, just before I hit the big 1000amp Stop or Start button: "I'm starting number three, number three" Just to make it clear and obvious to myself that I am aware of what I am doing and not miles away.
You don't see it much nowadays, usually a "it should be okay" is the most you'll get from anybody in a supposedly skilled job.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff