I think I have mild OCD..help!

[azhangie]

Ok, I think I have a problem. I'm considering that I have mild OCD. Ever since I was little, I woud count from 1-10 really quick whenever I'm trying to process things. It's hard to to explain, but i'm pretty sure its OCD.
So anyways, last 2 yrs i've been going to the gym religiously. I go 6 days a week, hour cardio each time with some ab/arm workouts. Well I've lost the weight I gained in college and I'm still going to the gym everyday and working out like I'm tryin to lose weight. I know in the back of my mind that I'm at a decent weight and losing anymore wouldn't look right. BUT I continue to go to the gym and sometimes doing more than what I did when I was trying to lose weight. When I dont go I'll think about it all day about how I should have went and sometimes that'll cause me to be in a bad mood.

Ugh..I'm soo sick and tired of feeling this way. I spent 2 hours today (my day off) wondering if I should go to the gym or not. I know I dont need to and probably shouldnt but then 2 mins later I'll feel like I need to go. I feel so retarded sometimes...everyone tells me I shouldn't lose more weight and that I actually should gain some. I agree but I cant help it!!! Omg...I'm about to go see a shrink.

[lv-lover]

On days you don't go to the gym, do you feel bored or anything? Maybe you need to do something else to occupy your mind, it's difficult to break a routine.

[stellamaried]

I don't think that's OCD. Have you ever heard of exercise bulimia? It may be worth looking into; at the least, please keep an eye on it and take care of yourself.

[evolkatie]

I don't think its OCD either. But I personally think going to the gym on a regular basis is good for your health. Keeping yourself fit is a good thing as long as you continue to eat healthy.

[LoVer]

I don't think it's OCD either. I think you're scared of gaining weight again. And I've also found that exercise is like a drug.

[helium]

Dug out my DSM-IV.

OCD is defined by having persistent obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are defined by:
1) Recurrent or persistent thoughts, impulses or images that you experience that cause marked distress or anxiety and are intrusive or inappropriate.
2) These thoughts, impulses or images are to some degree delusional, and not due to excessive real life stress and worry.
3) You try to repress, ignore or neutralise these thoughts, impulses or images by doing an alternative action.
4) You realise these thoughts are coming from your own mind.

Compulsions defined by:
1) Repetitive actions (ie. blinking) or mental behaviours (ie. praying) that a person feels they must do the deal with the obsession.
2) These acts are done in an attempt to prevent the stress or anxiety but are not realistically related to the event they're trying to prevent.

Lastly, these thoughts and compulsions must cause marked distress on the person and severe impairment.

For example, an OCD person may be obsessively scared of the idea of hell. They may be convinced that they are going there because of the sins they have supposedly committed. Every time they see a knife, just lying somewhere, thoughts start coming like they will inevitably take the knife and hurt someone unless they start blinking constantly or counting constantly to ten in order to not hurt someone.

So do not worry, you're perfectly normal. You have to meet all of those criteria to be OCD, and mild OCD, if such thing exists (I don't believe it, people just want to attribute their unhappiness and their weird 'quirks' to a mental illness) is no harm at all.

[Ladybug09]

If you go to therapy, as about cognitive therapy to help you with the ruminations.

[azhangie]

O good...I really thought something was wrong with me. I'm starting to think that I feel like this because plp around me keep telling me to stop going to the gym and I shouldn't be going everyday. But going makes me feel happy and fulfilled (if that makes sense).

[LAltiero85]

Originally Posted by azhangie

O good...I really thought something was wrong with me. I'm starting to think that I feel like this because plp around me keep telling me to stop going to the gym and I shouldn't be going everyday. But going makes me feel happy and fulfilled (if that makes sense).

I used to be this way too. I don't think it's OCD, you just fear gaining the weight again. Just cut down on the gym time. And if you are having a hard time cutting down, like someone else said, just try to occupy your mind w/ something else. Maybe you just really enjoy going to the gym. Some people like it because it is "their" time. If you don't want to lose any more weight, maybe add in a protein shake to your diet to add some healthy calories, so you can maintain your current weight.

[azhangie]

I am scared of gaining back the weight...even 1 pound can set my week off wrong. The only thing I can occupy myself with is shopping...but tht's horrible for my wallet. I guessthis is a good time to start studying for mygmats.

[helium]

Originally Posted by azhangie

I am scared of gaining back the weight...even 1 pound can set my week off wrong. The only thing I can occupy myself with is shopping...but tht's horrible for my wallet. I guessthis is a good time to start studying for mygmats.

Well you know, if you just like going to the gym and you just feel 'abnormal' because everyone thinks you're a freak because you go to the gym so much, tell them to go away! The only reason you might feel a bit abnormal is because I don't think the general population can understand why you like going to the gym, just like most women can't understand how I can stay up all night playing a video game constantly.

As long as you're of a healthy weight and the only reason you go is because you like it, and not because you're adamant on losing more and more weight, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

I can think of worst things you can do to keep yourself happy and fulfilled, so tell them that. Just as long as you're eating healthy for the amount of exercise you do.

[CoachGirl12]

I use to be this way as well... I would workout 6 times a week/2 hours a day, and then sometimes another 2 hours after I ate..., so a total of 4 hours a day... I was always tone/firm in all the right areas, but I was still never satisfied... After awhile I noticed I couldn't keep up anymore with all the water that I was losing from sweating... I went into the doctors and he told me that I was so dehydrated from the sweat loss... I think sometimes being a compulsive exerciser (which is what I call it), isn't healthy to do... I stopped doing that religiously and started watching what I eat and go 3-4 times a week instead... believe me, you'll feel less exhausted and have way more energy! And still feel great about yourself!

[azhangie]

Coachgirl - How did u manage to not go crazy when you didnt go to the gym??? I seriously will stress over how I didn't go today (even if its becuz i didnt have time) and it'll put me in a bad/cranky mood.

I'm going on a trip in 4 hours and I probably wont have time to go to the gym in SF but seriously...rite now I'm thinking about going to the gym for an hour at like 2am and be ready to leave by 4am. And then I made sure we booked a flight that was early in the afternoon so I can get to the gym on sunday. I'm even thinking about bring my gym clothes (just in case!). Omggg.....What is wrong with me?!?!

ARGHHH....

[frostedcouture]

Nothing is wrong with you :) It's just fear or gaining back the weight. Since you are so responsible about your weight already, you can get away without going to the gym every single day, don't worry about it too much if you can.

[azhangie]

^thanks frostedcouture...trying very hard to not think and stress about it rite now. Its taking all my willpower to not pack my gym clothes rite now. hahahaa...