OCD Help - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

bbybyrd · 11-21-2004, 07:54 PM

I'm new here and was wondering if I can get some help with this. I'm not even sure how to explain it all but I'll try my best.

I've always been a perfectionist. Everything (cassettes, cd's, movies, etc) have to be in alphabetical order. I have to have my keys in my right pocket and my lighter in my left pocket when I leave my apartment or I panic and think something bad is going to happen. I check constantly to make sure they're in there also. I also count when I walk because it makes me feel safe. I'm not sure if this is OCD or if I'm just strange so I can really use some help with this.

Myzen · 11-22-2004, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbybyrd

I'm new here and was wondering if I can get some help with this. I'm not even sure how to explain it all but I'll try my best.

I've always been a perfectionist. Everything (cassettes, cd's, movies, etc) have to be in alphabetical order. I have to have my keys in my right pocket and my lighter in my left pocket when I leave my apartment or I panic and think something bad is going to happen. I check constantly to make sure they're in there also. I also count when I walk because it makes me feel safe. I'm not sure if this is OCD or if I'm just strange so I can really use some help with this.

Hi bbybyrd,

Yes, it sounds like classic OCD to me. A couple of things about the intensity. How does it feel if you break one of the rituals? Also, can you change your rituals or are they always the same ones?

I've had this stuff for years and I managed to overcome it gradually by reducing the rituals to stuff that's not so invasive or publicly visible. I have slowly gained control over what I'm doing. Eventually it gets useful, like perfectionism in my rare book collection. It didn't happen overnight though, it took me years to settle it down.

I hope it gets easier for you.

Cheers, Myzen

bbybyrd · 11-22-2004, 08:36 AM

If I break any of the rituals I start to panic and get real paranoid. If I don't count when I walk then I get scared like someone is going to hurt me. If I don't have my keys in my right pocket and my lighter in my left pocket then I get scared and feel that something bad is getting ready to happen. If my stuff isn't in alphabetical order then I get paranoid and feel that someone is in my apartment.

I'm also scared of bridges so when I'm on a bridge I constantly look at license plates and add the numbers up. It makes me calm. And I'm constantly checking doors to make sure they are locked. There are times when I went outside to smoke (over my sisters' place) and when I come back in the house the first thing that goes through my mind is "oh no, did I remember to lock the door" and I'll have that thought til I check to make sure it's locked.

broadwaybaby614 · 11-29-2004, 03:43 PM

yeah, DEFINETLY ocd. without a doubt in my mind. you should go to the doctor though to maybe get some medication.

nsyncrle · 11-29-2004, 04:37 PM

I do similar stuff. Some of the rituals I can break, but it's not easy! It can even cause me to get no sleep, to overcome some of them.
Everythig has to have a place and can't be moved, or I freak. I have to keep to doing things a certtain times or I become upset.