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Are Anxiety, Lack Of Stamina And Introvert Signs Of OCD?

Posted on Tue, 16 Aug 2016

Question: I wish to discuss myself and mother's mental health.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide details of your issues

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Yes, you can discuss about yourself and mothers mental health. Please provide details in follow up.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (30 minutes later)

Thanks. My mother is supposed to have OCD. But she has these rages on occasions that are nasty. I want to find out more about what these rages are and what to do. She said some nasty things to me and then blamed me for her actions. She said I was the one raging, yet it was her. She was being manipulative, and twisting things. She was like a kid having a tantrum but nasty. I was over something very small, I asked her to not but in when I was talking to my father. I said that I thought she might have apologized the next day, it was nothing major. Then she went mad and that's how it began. It felt as though she was trying to get a reaction out of me, yet I was hardly saying anything and looking away from her. She said nasty things to me, like you're evil, crazy, and was calling me things like XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

She holds grudges and blames others, she cuts people off but claims its them.

These rages were more common when younger, but they've started again this year, I've seen them many a time, but most other people haven't apart from my dad and her mom.

She claimed she had done nothing wrong and it was my fault. What can this be? Is it only OCD? She hasn't told the psychiatrists about the rages, apparently.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be bipolar mood disturbance.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking and providing details

Such rages could be explained by some mood disturbance. You have mentioned that these were present when she was younger but again relapse. In mood disorders especially in individuals with bipolar tendencies such rages could be seen. Her sudden onset anger outbursts, blaming others or projection on others, keeping grudges could be explained by bipolar mood disturbance. Though to make diagnosis of bipolar more detailed evaluation is needed. Other possible cause is psychosis but she is showing episodes of symptoms which is against the possibility.

A lot of individuals with OCD have co-morbid mood disturbances. In most depressive symptoms are seen but bipolar symptoms, anger outbursts, irritability etc too are not uncommon.

You can talk to her psychiatrist and should discuss about these symptoms. Mood stabilisers should help her in coming out of bad mood.

Thanks, I hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (44 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply. I was worrying that it was narcissism as this can become very dangerous - you don't think it is this?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be a possibility.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up

Yes these could be narcissistic traits but in most individuals these traits should be present since younger age. She had symptoms in younger age but was relatively normal for many years and then again symptoms relapsed. To label narcissistic personality traits or disorder the narcissistic symptoms should be present continuously and should affect each and every domain of life like social, occupational, personal life. So this could be possibility but in my opinion possibility of some mood disturbance is more likely.

Thanks. Still have doubts please ask again. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 hours later)

Thanks for your reply. It bothers me that it could be narcissism. I will try and put more details so we can figure out what it might be.

-     She doesn't boast about achievements.
-     She is introverted not extroverted.
-     Doesn’t seem pre-occupied with unlimited success and power. Does have a dream to move to another country.
-     I’ve not seen her require excessive admiration
-     Doesn’t appear to believe she is special
-     Goes to buy food for me and other small items (my dad pays, though) weekly.

-     Seems to lack empathy
-     Can be obsessive such as counting calories
-     Uses the mirror a lot to pluck eyebrows etc.
-     Holds Grudges
-     Suspiciousness
-     Honest with me – wouldn’t take money from me.
-     Highly reactive to criticism
-     Turns evil within a rage, although they aren’t common
-     Low self esteem
-     No friends, cut away from family.
-     Has thrown out things in the past like a book my dad has a child without asking.
-     When going on holiday, worries about the house being cleaned to an extreme level.

-     No hobbies, but likes horror movies.
-     Can create a drama about nothing
-     Gets hurt easily.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think these symptoms are due to Narcissistic personality disorder.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking again

If we sum up symptoms of a narcissistic personality disorder patient then the patients have persistent grandiose ideas, have sense of superiority, lack empathy to others, hold grudges, have self admiration behaviour.

She is showing some symptoms that might resemble narcissistic traits but anyone can have some particular personality traits but that doesn't that he/she has personality disorder.

Her behaviour like suspiciousness, holding grudges, poor social interaction, getting hurt easily etc can be explained by mood disorder. I don't think its personality disorder. Her behaviour like obsessive counting of calories (though more details are needed), intrusive ideas about cleanness of house etc are obsessive symptoms.

So remain assured that she is not a narcissistic personality disorder patient. Personality disorders are not very common and Narcissistic PD is a rare disorder.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (11 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply. This is great to hear. I wasn't able to see a psychiatrist with her and the idea wasn't welcomed sadly.

I mentioned that I also have some issues, can I discuss this with you now?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you can.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

A lot of patients with mood or psychiatric disorders refuse to see a psychiatrist. Just try to take her to a psychiatrist.

Yes please, describe your symptoms in detail in terms of onset, progression, any aggravating or relieving factors.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (42 minutes later)

Thanks. And she has seen quite a few with my father, apparently they diagnosed with OCD and eating disorder. She wouldn't go with me very easily and would think that I was criticizing her.

I will write my issues down.

I’ve noted down some of the symptoms I have:

- Think that people are looking at me
- Anxiety / Paranoia
- Find eye contact hard
- Eyes have lack of emotion and severe at times
- Lack of desire for any relationships
- No real relationships or friends other than close one
- Some suspiciousness
- Agitation at times
- Lack of stamina
- Limited interests
- Lack of trust
- Lack of motivation
- No sex drive
- Introverted

Walking up my street would feel like an impossible task (I never do this). It is also difficult to just walk to my car as I feel and think people are all looking at me (it makes me look anxious, I get to my car as quickly as possible).
I feel much worse the closer to home I am. If I’m out of my area then things aren’t quite so bad. Still, going to a store or anything minor is still a difficult task. Moving away from home would be very hard.
Please advise what this is and how to best deal with it. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This could be social anxiety but evaluation needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for providing details

These symptoms like feeling as if people are looking at you, difficulty to maintain eye contact, anxiety, lack of interests, poor trust, introverted nature etc suggest some anxiety disorder.

In Social Anxiety disorder or phobia individuals have such symptoms. Symptoms like people are judging you, difficulty in walking in public places, anxiety symptoms, even some times difficulty in talking to opposite sex, difficulty in talking in group or during presentations are seen commonly in social anxiety.

If the anxiety is persistent then best option is to consult a doctor and take proper treatment. Behaviour therapy with relaxation exercises can help you to control such symptoms in public places. Relaxation exercises like Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) have good roles in controlling such symptoms. You can learn the exercise from youtube. With regular practice you will be able to differentiate the body change in relaxed stage and in anxiety states. By learning PMR during anxiety you will learn to relax the body during anxiety states.

Try to remain motivated. If symptoms doesn't improve then medicines like SSRIs or beta blockers can be used. SSRIs if taken regularly help to reduce anxiety symptoms and also controls anxiety. Beta Blockers like Propranolol if taken in anxiety provoking situations help to reduce the autonomic symptoms and thus control anxiety.

Thanks, Hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for clarifications.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (19 hours later)

Thanks for your reply. Is it possible to do CBT online? I'd like to try this.

As for my mother, she won't leave the event from the other week. She has to keep bringing it up and starts causing issues. She is heartless at what others need and my dad said she would be wealthy if he died and she said maybe that should happen. What can this be and how to deal with it? I'm looking for a flat as she wants me to leave but my social anxiety makes it harder.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CBT can be done online but not very effective.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

Yes CBT can be done online but the results are better when its done face to face. Therapeutic patient relationship is needed to get best results. Please visit a good psychologist for that.

Right now in my opinion she is in episode of mood disturbance and at this point its difficult for her to forget a particular episode. She is keeping grudge and this is part of her psychopathology. I am not sure if you can get prescription of her but low dose Olanzapine or Quetiapine like drugs can help to reduce her anger and symptoms. The drug Olanzapine can be given even by mixing with food too. You are having heightened anxiety because of her persistent bad behaviour. Treatment of her symptoms would help you too.

Thanks, Take care. Still have more to ask please ask again.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar