Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Hi everyone, I'm Crystal. I joined DS a while back, but I haven't really been an active poster.
As you can probably tell by the title of this thread, I am a counter. Although I don't quite count everything, I do count A LOT. My counting, however, really only occurs when I'm putting something away, locking a door, shutting a drawer, etc. I'm pretty particular to even numbers, but the number 3 for some reason seems to be making a debut in my counting craze here recently.
However, I don't just count numbers; I count words and/or sounds. For example, when I turn off a burner on the stove, for some reason it seems to me that the world will end if I don't make sure that the little white line on the knob doesn't match up EXACTLY with the middle "F" in the word "OFF". But since there aren't really any corners/numbers for me to count with a round knob, what I actually wind up doing is staring at the white line and following it all the way to the end, saying "Straight straight straight, straight straight straight"... you get the idea. And I always have to say "straight" an even number of times.
I stand there doing stuff like this for freaking EVER, until I'm so frustrated and upset that I just want to scream. I WANT to stop counting/speaking, but I just literally CAN NOT.
It's even to the point that if someone makes a noise in the house, I get angry with them because that means I couldn't hear myself say "straight" for the sixth time... which, naturally, means I have to start all over again. :/
The counting is really driving me crazy and making me angry with people for no good reason. So, in this thread, I thought we could discuss coping techniques.
Do you have counting OCD? If so, how do you cope? Have you found some sort of trick that helps you stop counting and go on with your life? If so, PLEASE share and/or discuss! (Because OMG can I just stop counting already??)
As you can probably tell by the title of this thread, I am a counter. Although I don't quite count everything, I do count A LOT. My counting, however, really only occurs when I'm putting something away, locking a door, shutting a drawer, etc. I'm pretty particular to even numbers, but the number 3 for some reason seems to be making a debut in my counting craze here recently.
However, I don't just count numbers; I count words and/or sounds. For example, when I turn off a burner on the stove, for some reason it seems to me that the world will end if I don't make sure that the little white line on the knob doesn't match up EXACTLY with the middle "F" in the word "OFF". But since there aren't really any corners/numbers for me to count with a round knob, what I actually wind up doing is staring at the white line and following it all the way to the end, saying "Straight straight straight, straight straight straight"... you get the idea. And I always have to say "straight" an even number of times.
I stand there doing stuff like this for freaking EVER, until I'm so frustrated and upset that I just want to scream. I WANT to stop counting/speaking, but I just literally CAN NOT.
It's even to the point that if someone makes a noise in the house, I get angry with them because that means I couldn't hear myself say "straight" for the sixth time... which, naturally, means I have to start all over again. :/
The counting is really driving me crazy and making me angry with people for no good reason. So, in this thread, I thought we could discuss coping techniques.
Do you have counting OCD? If so, how do you cope? Have you found some sort of trick that helps you stop counting and go on with your life? If so, PLEASE share and/or discuss! (Because OMG can I just stop counting already??)
And it's the same thing pretty much when I get ready to leave to go somewhere. It's so bad that my 13 yo son noticed and said to me one time" Mom aren't you going to dbl check the door"? I didnt even know that he knew much less that he was paying attention.I digress!
Lately w/ my E.D. I've become obbsessed with #s If/ when I do eat then I have to eat an even # or else leave an even # in the pckg. And don't even get me started on checking serving szs or the cailore content or trying to add them up in my head. When Im in my car listening to music I have to have the vol at an even # too! And yes sometimes heck most of the time I do literally drive myself crazy! But I can't help it!And I really won't be able or even want to do anything about it until I have control over my E.D. So for now Im kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place! It's tough to have these two at the same time b/c they feed off of each other. I also have depression and anxiety. I've bedn on new meds since Dec. My Dr recently dbld my dose. It's zoloft its for everything that I have except of course my E.D. With regards of what to do. I really dont know but if you're not on meds then Im sure that they will help. And if you can try to fix your stress then I'm that would help too. Im sorry that I couldn't be of more help. But just know that you're NOT Alone.
Take Care and God Bless
I just wanted to say thank you all so much for your responses. I completely understand where you are all coming from. A lot of your rituals sound a lot like mine, and even though I already knew I wasn't the only counter out there, reading your posts honestly made me cry because it just feels to good knowing I'm not alone.