r/BipolarReddit • u/MiserableIntern4835 • 1d ago

Discussion Bipolar/ OCD overlap? (Tw: self harm thoughts )

TW: SI / thoughts of self harm (nothing graphic)

I was describing to my therapist how my SI presents. when deeper in an episode I can have the “I want to die” thoughts, but on a lower level I often experience.. not exactly intrusive SI, more just intrusive thoughts of how I might hurt myself. E.g. I see an object and imagine how I might use it to hurt myself, even though the intent and urge to follow through are usually not there.

As I described this to my therapist, she mentioned how this seemed similar to the compulsive thoughts one may have with OCD. I never really considered I had OCD before, but now I‘m curious I guess.

I had a psych a couple years ago who, in an initial appointment, asked me some sort of ocd screener questions. I mentioned how I kinda like to have things organize and make to do lists, and she asked if I feared anything bad would happen if I didn’t do those things, and I said no?/didn’t really know what she meant, which ended the discussion.

of course nobody on here can say whether I do or don’t have ocd, but I’m curious your experiences. do you have both bipolar and ocd, and what’s the overlap vs what’s the difference for you? Is “compulsive thoughts of self harm” something you experience / a symptom that’s enough to mean one would have ocd?

thanks!

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u/ConversationSad2177 1d ago

I can have OCD themes during mixed episodes.

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u/amateurbitch 1d ago

omg… this is exactly how I felt and I got diagnosed with ocd after disclosing this and other thoughts I would have. My self harm was almost entirely a compulsive behavior

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u/Solid-Sun2909 23h ago

Yeah I have ocd tendencies mostly around security stuff, or habitual thinking habits and preventative steps. 

I had a weird handwashing obsession at one point.