Reply to Adult friend with serious OCD issues. Do I say anything?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Ummm...this is not OCD. OCD has taken on too much popular and armchair  diagnosis, so people don't know what it is or isn't. It is not what you are describing AT ALL.

Your friend has anxiety( which is on a spectrum of concern)  that manifests itself with worrying-type behaviors. Really.

OCD is quite different, much more intense, and prevents people from living their life. Washing hands before eating is what she should do. Hand washing  a lot means she's anxious about germs.handwashing/hand sanitizer  constantly- like 20 times in a couple hours is a different matter.

Worrying if she locked the doors, left the iron on, etc. is just anxiety. Many people are like that. Driving around the same block ten times because she thinks she ran over a person is OCD, rituals when leaving, like touching this and that and saying a mantra is OCD. Picking out her hair is OCD. Counting the floor tiles is OCD. Not being able to concentrate because shes counting the revolutions of the ceiling fan is OCD. Not being able to leave the house because of any of these things is OCD.

OCD manifests with unmistakable rituals and intrusive thoughts. It just isn't what you are describing.

Her anxiety is sure to be helped by her friends assuming she is mentally ill.Put away your DSM .....you are not qualified to diagnose from it. 
[/quote]

While yes these can be typical markers of anxiety what none of us know is the motivation behind OPs friends actions and this is what would distinguish regular anxiety from OCD.  OP mentions checking the alarm several times.  If her friend has to do this a certain number of times, or a certain way before she leaves b/c she fears that something horrible will happen to her family, this is OCD.  The performing of a rituals to ward of bad things (even when you know it is ridiculous) is OCD.  We don't know why this woman is doing these things and this is key.

BTW not every case is so severe that people can't leave the house.  I have been diagnosed with OCD but it is on the milder side and the medication side effects were worse that my OCD so I stopped taking them.  It is manageable but not easy.  The checking, the rituals, the counting.  It is exhausting at times.

Back to OP, if you are really such good friends I think you should mention it.   Just keep it light and don't push if she doesn't want to talk about it.  As a PP mentioned, if she has OCD she knows it and she needs to decide when she wants to get help.  Hopefully it is not too late to save her relationships.[/quote]

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