OCD?

Post Reply New Topic

I sometimes wonder if I have a bit of OCD. Concerning numbers, that is. I feel the need to (a) avoid the numbers 2 and 5 (even typing them out makes me feel tense), and to (b) do everything according to the number 3. Nine is fine, being 3 x 3, but 6 is a mixed bag as it's 3 x 2.

I was first conscious of this issue when I was about 10, and it's stayed with me throughout my life. I only recently told my husband about it, I was so used to it and regarded it as such a normal part of my life!

Are AS people more likely to have OCD issues, or is it that OCD can be a part of AS so is not seen as a separate (albeit coinciding) issue?

Fiona

I would imagine that AS and OCD are two separate things.

Tim

I think that AS and OCD are co-morbid conditions, i.e.: Not all Aspies have OCD, not all OCD sufferers are Aspies, but a significant portion of Aspies (including myself) have OCD. I think a lot of Aspies have OCD, and I think a lot of us develop OCD-like symptoms as a coping mechanism.

(silly interlude sung to familiar tune)
I am kind of different/and I think that you'll agree/
ASD, OCD, M-O-U-S-E!) This was going through my head this a.m., and then I read this post and in came bubbling out.

Back to serious. I don't have anything like that going on, but I have some very OCD symptoms. I agree very much that OCD and AS are very much linked, as I have seen several Aspies on this site talking about OCD symptoms in their own life. I do not know of any diagnostic information on this, but I'm sure its out there.

I was diagnosed with OCD before I was dxed with A.S. I was also dxed with Social Anxiety, but I know that was a misdiagnosis (just confused with AS and its effects). I know the OCD dx was correct though. OCD is a often a co-morbid of AS like you said (along with Social Anxiety, Depression, etc). I think narrow interests and attention to detail are the reason many Aspies have OCD...I know for me I remember hearing when I was very young that dust particles are mostly dead skin and that smells are airborne molecules. Ever since then I've been extremely anxious about breathing/touching dust because I hate the idea of having other peoples' DNA in my lungs. (Not worried about germs - just DNA). I would also start projects and work on them 7+ hours a time and think about them when I wasn't. The only part of being on Luvox that I don't like is that I don't have "marathon" sessions like that any more, which I greatly enjoyed. The thoughts, constantly being uncomfortable in my skin, that I don't miss. I don't think all Aspies have clinical OCD, but the obsessions and compulsions as symptoms of Asperger's can be confused for it.

AS definately seems to have some OCD bits.. though you may not necessarily be aware of them - especially not as OCD.

Have a look at the description of Aspergers - you can see OCD style behaviours in the description.

eg: Resistance to change.

I guess it just varies in strength from one individual to another.