Dear Bizi,

I'd say either one or neither, imho.

In brief, ruminative/obsessive thinking is a necessary trait, but not a sufficient one, for an OCD dx. With bipolar, it is not even a "necessary" trait, but in my experience it can show up as part of mania or depression.

Some folks simply have a ruminative nature - they are ponderers. And i can say that i am, even when i am well - so perhaps i am predisposed to excesses in this area, when i am unwell. Other folks may go through periods of ruminative thinking. If uncontrolled, this type of thinking leads to obsession and excessive worrying. This single aspect does not imply that a person has OCD, Bipolar, GAD, or any other psychiatric disorder, in each of which multiple characteristic traits are necessary.

Folks with OCD are pretty much always ruminative, because it forms a strong part of the definition, but it takes more than rumination / obsession / excessive worrying to dx someone w/ OCD.

I don't know if you have OCD Bizi.

I see that many become obsessive as a result of anxiety.

Also, i know that in manic and depressive episodes, it can happen although it does not necessarily happen. it depends on the particular episode. i know i can get that way when depressed, but it hasn't occurred in all my depressions - regardless of degree. I probably get that way in mania too sometimes, but that is complicated and i don't always see it. I can tell you that, in clean/euphoric manias i had in the past (much younger, pre-dx, unmedicated) my friends were telling me that i was totally obsessed about this or that. to me the idea was totally ridiculous at the time. they said i needed to ease up, slow down... Ha! i would laugh and say i couldn't get things done fast enough... no insight until after... typical of mania i suppose.

(((((((( hugs )))))))))

~ waves ~