I’ve been trying to figure out whether my thoughts actually fit the DSM-5 description of OCD, or if I’m just overthinking what’s going on. A lot of the thoughts are unwanted and pretty disturbing, and they keep popping up even when I don’t agree with them. The part that confuses me is that I don’t always have obvious rituals like washing or checking.
Sometimes I end up mentally reviewing things, looking for reassurance, or repeating certain thoughts until they feel “right.” It can take up a lot of time and makes it hard to focus, but I’m not sure where the line is between normal intrusive thoughts and OCD symptoms.
I know the DSM-5 looks at how much distress or impairment the symptoms cause, not just the content of the thoughts. I’m trying not to diagnose myself from random posts, but it’s hard not to analyze every detail. Has anyone else had mostly mental compulsions and found it difficult to recognize them as compulsions?
1 Like
@Nathan_Nelson, the mental reviewing and repeating until things feel “right” can be especially hard to spot because it looks like ordinary thinking from the outside. I used to assume a compulsion had to be something visible, but trying to reach certainty in my head can take just as much time and leave me more stuck.
The part about analyzing every detail can become part of the cycle too, especially when the goal is to finally feel completely sure. A clinician who understands OCD could help sort out whether these patterns fit, without you having to prove the diagnosis to yourself first. Have you been able to describe the time spent and the impact on your concentration to anyone in person?
1 Like
That point about trying to reach certainty in your head really landed with me. I’ve noticed that even when I recognize I’m seeking reassurance, I can still convince myself that one more round of analysis will finally settle things. It usually just gives the doubt another place to hide.
I’ve found it helps to describe the actual pattern to a clinician, including how long the reviewing takes and what I’m unable to do while it’s happening. Did talking about the time and concentration impact make it easier for you to recognize the mental reviewing as a compulsion?