Obsessive compulsive disorder

I've always been a bit ocd and I've never really thought much of it. Mostly its just been that I have to do things in a certain order, weird eating habits etc, more a source of entertainment for my family and friends rather than anything really...

concerning. Lately however,I've started to think maybe its a bit more serious than I have realised before. There are some things if I dont do them, I actually dont feel safe and they are really trivial things. My biggest concern, however, is that I have noticed myself actually tearing off my skin, pulling out my hair etc, sometimes to the point where I draw blood and I cant seem to stop myself from doing it. Now that I am becoming aware of it, I think its something I've done for years. Im starting to wonder if I should do something about it. Any help?

Well, honestly it sounds like you have two different issues on your hand. The OCD is one thing, and relates someone to it..but on it's own the hair pulling- when it is at a certain stage is called Trichotillomania. Big word, I know maybe you might want to Google it, however Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder. Which, in going back to how it relates to OCD. You must have things a certain way, and as a result of not doing it you develop anxiety. It has to be things the way you need them. I would strongly suggest you talk to your doctor about it, which I'm sure will refer you to someone who specializes in things like this. Don't make yourself go crazy over it, but check it out- It couldn't hurt, might actually help. You may not have Trichotillomania, and it might just be the OCD, I'm not a doctor I can't tell you. But I have family members with the disorder, as well as OCD.

Get it checked out,
Good luck!

Well, to the point where your pulling out your own hair and drawing blood, thats pretty serious! Maybe you tell someone you trust like a best friend or someone close to you. Or maybe a doctor they are the people that could help you most. I used to think I had ocd, I thought that if I dont do that then such and such will happen to me or I have to do something or someone will die and I know it sounds really silly. But once I told someone and I knew people understood mei became less obsessed. Telling someone helped me and it could help you aswell! I hope this helps x x x

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You sound like you are subconsciously into self-harm. It doesn't matter whether it's what you do, cutting, or similar things, they are all caused by problems that you have mentally.

They aren't something you easily have control over. It usually requires intervention by a counselor or therapist to help you see, understand and overcome the problem. I'd seriously recommend that you see a counselor or therapist. Meanwhile I'm listing to sites that may help you understand a little better:

 
Information on self injury:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/self_injury.htm

 
Do you WANT to stop cutting? Then check out this site:

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Self_Injury/BloodRed/stop/index.html

 
Self Injury help:

SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) Alternative Information Line
800-DONT-CUT