It's essential to remember that I can't diagnose any medical or psychological conditions. If you're experiencing distressing thoughts or feelings, it's crucial to seek help from a qualified mental health professional who can provide a proper assessment and diagnosis.
The type of thoughts you describe, where you feel compelled to perform certain actions to prevent harm to yourself or others, can be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety related to those thoughts.
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress caused by the obsessions. In your case, the fear of harm coming to your family members and the compulsion to do specific things within a certain time frame may align with OCD symptoms.
It's important to remember that OCD is a treatable condition, and there are effective therapies and medications available to manage its symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often the recommended treatment for OCD, where a therapist helps you recognize and challenge unhealthy thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies.
If you haven't done so already, consider reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who can conduct a proper evaluation and provide personalized recommendations for treatment.
Remember, it's okay to seek help, and you don't have to face these challenges alone. Seeking support from professionals who specialize in mental health can make a significant difference in your well-being.