ocd

[fishbait]

I have seen lots of questions regarding OCD but none of them seem to relate to my situation. They all seem to relate to organising or aranging or cleaning. I have aproblem with counting and it drives me mad. It can range from counting the number of blinds in my office or the number of letters in the credits at the end of a film. I often feel anxious to count all of them before i am unable able. It does not just stem to this i can count lamposts cats eyes ( these can be a problem when driving) you name it i have probably counted it. I have always enjoyed maths and counting is one of my first memories. Am I completley mad???

[smallwren]

I have OCD in the exact why you describe. I count sign posts, lines on the road, cats eyes, cars that go past and anything else really. I have done this for years and just come to accept it as a 'quirk' - think it probably started when i was young on long car journeys and just carried on since then. I get quite edgy when things aren't in even numbers! You can get drugs from the doctor to suppress and control OCD but i found that they effected me me more than the counting! I can assure you are not competly mad and you should embrace your 'quirk' but do not let it control your life. If you are finding it hard to deal with then see your GP and discuss your concerns.

[boobesque]

no, you are not mad, i have something very similar, counting on my teeth and fingers in order. I dont feel like bad things will happen but i panic if i touch my tooth with my tongue, or my fingertips touch i have to go through my whole counting routine. My gp has been very good about my ocd, he thinks it stems from my depression and my Body Dismorphic Disorder. Although i refuse to take anti depressants.

have you spoken to your gp? many of them are much more informed about ocd and can point you in the right direction to get help. There are many help groups, although thats not something i would do, and not all sufferers have things about cleaning.

Dont feel like you are alone in this, its more common than people think x

[boobesque]

smallwren, my counting is in even numbers too, i was most distressed when i had to have a tooth removed when my brace was fitted years ago!

[fishbait]

Many thanks to the both of you, its good to hear im not the only one counting things. I have not been to my GP or even discussed this with anyone before. Smallwren I think your comment about embrassing my quirk is good advice thanks for that. boobesque i also find even numbers more acceptable, if the number of letters in the sentace or signage does not equal an even amount then i will count the words and hope that they are even. Repetaive patterns drive me crazy!!! Thanks again.

[boobesque]

its good to know you arent alone isnt it!

i spent my childhood thinking i was mad as i used to count numbers and when i told my parents they said i was silly! (this was about 15 yrs ago, and ocd wasnt well known) but now i too find it a quirk and didnt want the drugs my gp prescribed me!

If you feel that it is becoming bad whilst driving then please see your gp, if its manageable then it becomes second nature and quite easy to live with!

[Litchick]

All good answers....I sometimes count a bit too and have to tap a particular table when I pass it....nothing too bad.  I read somewhere that wanting to stop or trying to control your "quirk" is what causes the anxiety..however, simply ALLOWING yourself to do it will make it not a big deal and then alleviate your anxiety.  I wouldn't worry....