Reader’s Question

I’m presently in a relationship with a guy. I obsess 24/7 over things that make me jealous. The things I obsess about are really dumb, but still it’s hard to stop. I constantly ask my boyfriend questions to reassure myself. I ask him things like “Would you ever cheat on me?” and wonder what he’s doing when he’s on his computer, worry about whether he’s looking at another girl, thinking about what to do to make sure he doesn’t cheat, etc. I think way too much about such things and get paranoid and worried even though I know he’s a great guy and loyal, too.

Help me, please. Is this OCD?

I also obsess over swine flu. I wash my hands a lot. I touch things more than once to keep bad things from happening. I even obsess about obsessing.

Thank you.

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

What you described at first sounded far more like insecurity than Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, you then mentioned other things like hand washing, concern over germs, and ritual behaviors (e.g., touching things twice to keep bad things from happening) that do sound quite a bit like the signs of OCD.

It would be a good idea to consult with a mental health professional who has experience diagnosing and treating OCD. Sometimes, medication is necessary to help control the symptoms. Other times, cognitive-behavioral therapy can bring substantial relief. Most often, professionals recommend a combination of therapies. Be sure to give a thorough history to the person you see for treatment so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. People who have OCD can have other conditions that warrant attention as well.

And take heart, OCD can be treated quite effectively these days. Your life need not be dominated by disturbing thoughts, obsessions or compulsions any longer.