Counting? OCD? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

dawsons_mom · 05-10-2007, 12:01 PM

im wondering if maybe i have ocd , I count in my head constantly sometimes i dont even realize im doing it. my husband will see my fingers moving a say "stop counting babe". i know exactly how many steps there are when i go down a set of stairs. and lots of times ill count repeated numbers. like 123,123,123,123 and so on (always in my head

). also when i see a billboard i have to make sure all the letters have a mate. for instance if the sign says "burgers for sale" i have to go "bu rg er sf or sa le" and im okay with that because every letter has a "buddy". but if it doesnt the i have to find another sign and incorp. it into the phrase until every letter has a mate. everything needs a pattern....i hope this makes sense. does this sound like ocd or something else?

thanks

Megs19 · 05-10-2007, 07:09 PM

I have the same problem. I will count letters in words and numbers on a digital clock. And I'll do it sometimes over and over.

dannic1 · 05-10-2007, 07:24 PM

I don't do it badly, but sometimes I count the number of applications I have left to process at work. I used to count the number of steps it took me from my car to the front door at work, but I rarely do that anymore. I was told by the OCD therapist I saw not to give in and count. One thing that has helped me tremendously (and I do mean tremendouly) is exercising on my treadmil. For the past five days, I have noticed a huge reduction in my obsessive thinking and my stress levels are way down. I have honestly started feeling like my old self again. I have also been putting myself directly into social situations that used to trigger my obsessive thinking and it is helping tremendously as well. I guess a form of self ERP.

danni