One thing I wish people knew about OCD is....

That I would never choose to have my fingers look the way they do, bloody and shredded from incessant picking. I don't want people to stare and ask what happened to my fingers, or stare and look quickly away in disgust/disbelief. I don't want to do this to myself, and I don't want to look like this. I can't stop.

it takes over you sometimes you can't even stop doing things its horrible

Lucy! :)

I am so glad that I somehow found this - that you wrote it - that it got into my notifications - etc etc. And, I am very glad I've read it now to this point. I was hoping I would learn some more about what OCD is - and how or what is frustrating for those who have the Dx of OCD. I have! Of course, there is always more to learn. But for me anyway, this was a good sort of intro to what OCD is actually like (rather than all of what I've heard it is like and the stereotypes and such). So @everyone-who-has-posted-here ... Thank you!!!

Again, I know there is a ton more for me to learn; but I really do appreciate hearing symptoms or reactions from others DIRECTLY FROM those who deal with this disorder. So, yes, thank you! Platy

P.S. I read above that someone said that he/she does not have OCD but rather "just GAD" (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I'm not sure what this member/listener meant when writing that; but as someone (me) who does have the diagnosis of GAD - there is no "just" or little/small problem about it. I'm sorry if I am interpreting what you wrote in a way that you did not mean.

P.P.S. Does anyone know? Does the diagnosis of OCD fall under the larger umbrella of Anxiety Disorders? (yes, I know, I could look this up in like 3 minutes but I want to ask someone... )

@Lucy @everyone-who-has-posted-here-already .... again, Thank you!

its like an addiction you cant stop

We keep struggling and fighting inside yet People take us in a wrong way.

i would just like to add, that in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, it should be recognized that Suicidal Ideations are often an OCD, and NOT 'just depression or anxiety'. i know because i suffered for many years from the constant thoughts of ways to die. sometimes the thoughts were so vivid i thought they would surely compel me to try~!! Thankfully, i found a away to repair my brain function, gradually with persistance, until now i have been free of that awful obcession for many years. i wish it was easier to overcome these terrible misfires of the brain, as they are linked to such primal urges. but if anyone make progress, i applaud you, and hope you will share any kind of treatment or therapy that has worked for you.

Im not trying to be rude when I clean doorknobs when I visit you or are constantly washing my hands. Its not that I personally think your house is gross or unsanitary. Its just my OCD.

its a illness people don't understand ignorant people how it effects individuals

Being a perfectionist doesebt mean you have ocd. Also that the compulsions are usually a symptom of something deeper going on.

People diagnosed with OCD are able to realize that their obsessions, compulsions, and the whole cycles makes no sense. The fear is still real. That makes it difficult to express exactly what's going on. People who don't understand it have tried the "let's calm down and logic through it" tactic. I appreciate what they're doing, but I've already tried to "logic through it." A billion times I've tried. Please educate yourself on the illness before you try to help.

I keep a lot of things hidden for this exact reason. It makes me feel awful when people try to explain why the fear is irritional. I know it's irrational. Many of us with OCD alrleady know. Our fear doesn't know it's irrational, and that's the difficult part.