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

*lucky13* · 07-20-2003, 02:13 PM

Hello! I'm new, and I've been searching through the topics to find something similiar to what I'm experiencing. Well, for about four years I've had this obsession with countings things. Mainly, letters or syllabels. For example, if I see/hear a word or sentence I will count out the letters in my head or with my fingers. When I count the letters on my fingers, I try to make it even so that equal amounts of letters were count on each hand..if that makes sense.. (?) I don't think I do it all the time, but usually at least once a day. I guess it doesn't really bother me as I've gotten used to it. But sometimes when I'm doing it and moving my fingers, people ask what I'm doing..which is sort of umcomfortable. Anyways..any insight would be very much appreciated. Thank you! :O)

ShannonKay · 07-20-2003, 11:21 PM

Your post sounds like something I would write! I have ALWAYS counted syllables. It gets annoying sometimes- if only I could just read something without all the adding in my head. If the syllables add up to a number I don't like, I have to add more words (from other sentences) to it until it is a "good" number. Sheesh.

I don't like the number 7 or any of its multiples, OR any numbers that come immediately before or after it.

Ironically, as it was mentioned above, counting does keep the brain sharp. I'm very fast when it comes to adding and subtracting. Lol.

------------------
Shannon

MysteryGrl · 07-21-2003, 07:44 AM

Hey everyone,
I also do lots of counting rituals. I like only even numbers, preferably 2 or 4. I count letters in a sentence, letters on street signs, the number of pens and pencils on my desk, the number of people in a picture. Actually, I count pretty much anything I can count.

------------------
Lori

*lucky13* · 07-21-2003, 08:30 PM

Thanks you guys. :O) It's very comforting to know that I'm not the only one. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. Thank you again! :O)

sroman127 · 07-21-2003, 09:13 PM

I count all the time in my head. I have certain patterns. I can be watching a movie or talking to someone and I am counting at the same time. It can be annoying like when I am watching a movie. I feel like I am never totally relaxed.