Am I experiencing OCD symptoms or just paranoia about being watched?

paranoia or ocd

i’m not sure if this is an OCD symptom but sometimes i’ll feel like someone’s watching me and feel the need to cover certain things or recover things. for example, whenever i use the restroom i’ll turn off my phone and leave it in my room or turn it off and keep it with me if i’m in a public place. or sometimes i’ll think someone i like is watching me and i’ll do something different like “oh if they’re watching me, let me do this instead just in case.” does anyone else do this?

Username: hellopeoplehellopeople

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 1y ago

If you are having intrusive paranoia thoughts, you can still counter them with “what if” thinking. What if someone is watching you? But what if they’re not? Why am I wasting my energy trying to figure this out?

Username: Will-AsfourWill-Asfour

Date posted: 1y ago

I’ve felt paranoid at times - could just be anxiety. Depending on severity could be paranoia - paranoid personality disorder / schizophrenia.

Username: NOCD Advocate Jess, CPSSNOCD Advocat...

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 1y ago

So this is something to discuss with your therapist as it could be OCD or it could be paranoia. I have had some instances similar to what you have said and I chock it up to being paranoia combined with my OCD... when my OCD symptoms are less the paranoia is less. But definitely talk to your therapist and if you do not have one call NOCD. They are fantastic and helped me so much. I really learned a lot from the groups they offer.

Username: bluebubblegum7bluebubblegum7

Date posted: 1y ago

@NOCD Advocate Jess, CPSS thank you for the advice, i really appreciate it. it’s been hard trying to find a therapist where i live so it’s good to hear that the therapists on NOCD are helpful :)

Username: Anonymous 99Anonymous 99

Date posted: 1y ago

I definitely do similar things, cover the camera on my phone in the bathroom or inside my room. Thought it maybe was just a personality thing 😂

Username: Lisa LeeLou Lisa LeeLou

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 1y ago

Thank you for sharing what you are going through. With my OCD I struggle a lot with catastrophizing over thoughts similar to what you’re describing. I agree that this is something that should be discussed with a therapist as they would able to decipher symptoms. I would encourage you to please consider reaching out to the NOCD care team for a free consultation. Therapy has been a huge help for me.

Username: Katiel

Date posted: 6y ago

So I’ve been counting for a while now and by counting I mean like I blink 6 times or take 6 steps or breath in 6 or hit back space on my phone 6 times. I have also developed a sort of fear of germs and I can’t touch people skin to skin and I can’t tell if this is ocd or if I’m just making it up. I read a book about a girl with ocd and she had similar symptoms so I can’t tell. I’ve also been having a hard time with going outside and trusting people and such because I’m always worried I’m going to die or that I’m being watched. And I can’t really eat out because I think they poisoned the food. Is this ocd? Any opinion would be great! Thank you :)

Username: bambeezy14

Date posted: 5y ago

Can ocd make you feel paranoid and see things?

Username: pluralines

Date posted: 3y ago

i’m not sure if this is a part of ocd, something else, paranoia or something that most people go through .. but i have an issue with posters or action figures “staring” at me. i feel like they can hear me, see me, or know what i’m thinking. it was worse when i younger. i couldn’t even get changed in my own bedroom unless i took down my posters. that’s why i my room has been minimal in decorations since. i recently went against my own uncomfortable feelings & put up a figurine on my dresser. when i first did it, i thought, “what if i’ll never stop thinking about this every time i enter my room.” and felt an unhappy feeling wash over me. but i forced myself to let it be. it hasn’t been a problem. (i am talking abt it now / thinking abt it so i’m a little anxious again) i’m wondering if anyone goes through anything similar ? am i just nuts?

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Am I experiencing OCD symptoms or just paranoia about being watched?

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