Brief Answer:
Such behaviours can occur in OC spectrum disorders

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. The main issues you are facing are-

- Generalised anxiety disorder

- Some OC like symptoms

- ADHD symptoms

- Repetitive biting of nails and picking the nose

- Picking or itching the pinworms (?)

Some of such behaviours like picking the nose or biting the nails could occur in any normal person also and doesn't denote any specific diagnosis. But if such symptoms start occurring in repetitive manner and cause impairment in day to day living then this need proper attention. GAD and OCD both are anxiety disorder and have same psychopathology. In a lot of individuals these disorders occur simultaneously. But that is not a serious thing. Both disorders respond to proper treatment.

The habits of biting nails, picking nose or other things on compulsive basis occur due to some underlying anxiety. Unconscious anxiety or distress results in poor impulse control and individuals start engaging in such behaviours. Your counsellor is right these disorders are related to your OC SYMPTOMS. Obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders may present with poor impulse control, habits of biting nails or picking. So as per my opinion there is no need to worry such behaviours can occur due to anxiety. Even normal humans without any disorders, in events of anxiety may start showing such behaviours.

The medicine Zoloft you are taking is a SSRI drug and is right drug for your symptoms. Discuss with your doctor again regarding your symptoms and ask for increased doses of drug because OC symptoms usually respond to high doses of SSRIs.

I hope this helps you. Try to control your habits by relaxation exercise till medicines start controlling them. If you have more questions to ask then please ask again in follow up.

Thanks, Take care

---

Brief Answer:
No need to feel shame or guilt

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

No need to feel shame or guilt over past behaviours. As mentioned earlier also try to control these undesirable behaviours. These uncontrollable undesirable behaviours are occurring due to part of obsessive spectrum disorder and with medicines and proper behaviour therapy your symptoms will reduce. Try to control your anxiety. Discuss with your doctor to increase the doses of Sertraline (Zoloft) you are taking.

Thanks, Please ask again for more doubts.

---

Brief Answer:
No need to feel ashamed for these behaviours

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for a follow up question

If you are able to control or stop these behaviours at any time then these are not full form compulsive behaviours but they are related to poor impulse control. Impulse control is related to anxiety disorders and with OC symptoms.

This doesnt make you sick person. Due to some neurotransmitter abnormalities such anxiety and OC symptoms occur and such symptoms can be controlled easily with medicines and behaviour therapy. No need to worry or remain anxious about these.

You haven't done any thing wrong, this is anxiety only and take proper treatment. No need to feel ashamed.

Thanks. Hope this helps you. Take care

---

Brief Answer:
Yes such behaviours can occur in normal individuals also

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

Yes normal people engage many times in such behaviours in their lifetime. A lot of individuals have habit of nail biting, some times even hair plucking and that behaviours cant be labelled to be occurring due to OC or impulse control disorders. Yes it is part of a normal life but when such symptoms or behaviours start causing distress and impairment in day to day functioning then there is need for evaluation and treatment.

Even a lot of individuals show OC symptoms at some part of their lives. A lot of individuals present in my OPD with hair plucking, or some times eating earth etc symptoms and they usually don't fit in a particular psychiatric diagnosis. But in most of such individuals we found underlying anxiety.

Thanks, Hope this helps you.

---