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Canoe

479d

Do any of you have experiences with counting obsessively? It usually happens to me but isn't too bad. I commonly bounce my legs or tap a pencil a certain number of times. Other times I take way to long to do things (like clean dishes multiple times) Sometimes, counting is kind of helpful because it can make me stay focused, but its also pretty distracting too.

Top reply
    • LurkingGhost11

      474d

      I feel like I have to count EVERYTHING!! how many times I scrub my hands when washing them, say a certain word/phrase in my head, chew on food, drink.. EVERYTHING!!

    • LurkingGhost11

      474d

      I feel like I have to count EVERYTHING!! how many times I scrub my hands when washing them, say a certain word/phrase in my head, chew on food, drink.. EVERYTHING!!

    • Carnelian

      478d

      Hey there! So my OCD was very much numbers related when I first started getting symptoms (like 10 years ago) I’ve learned that it is the easiest part of OCD to quiet down. I recommend trying to get in contact with someone who can help you break the habits because in my experience (not that this will happen to you of course) if you don’t silence it , it will keep progressing into other things. Good luck with everything and don’t hesitate to reach out! ❤️

      • InsidiousAnomaly

        476d

        @Carnelian its luckily not too impactful in a big way. Now on the flip side I have body focused repetitive movements which falls more into the other type of checks for me except its more doom and gloom and very very bad anxiety and for actual joint pain that goes away once I pop my knuckles, but then it just repeates that it can go on for 12+ hrs over multiple days, subluxated a few joints, and they stop making the noise, then if its far into it the joints hurt from swelling and still have to continue unless I sedate myself. But im unmedicated, uninsured, and jobless so don't have much to use.

    • InsidiousAnomaly

      478d

      Numbers/counting things....its like I like pairs but I like odds, and it's even better if the number adds up to 5 (say 77 as an example, because 7+7=14 ; 1+4=5. So as long as it ultimately adds up to 5. It became an obsession after a movie that dealt with the number 23/numbers that add up to 5 dealt with some murder thriller thing,) Now while I have specific things I do tentatively, I do not need to have a specific count/number of times(like check the oven knob is off a number of times, or on a game (even with an autosave), and have to save multiple times before moving on but have no specific number of times I need to do it I just do it till it feels right.)

    • WhiteFlamingo

      478d

      I used to count my steps in sets of four. It was okay for a while until it turned into not being able to walk on differing surfaces within the sets. I found myself behind my group because I was too busy counting my steps, or even jumping over decorative floor tiles that differed from the rest and I didn't have time to count for. The only thing that helped me move on from it was intentionally going against my counting rules. It was horrible at first, but eventually it didn't bother me anymore.

      • catlover55

        476d

        @WhiteFlamingo I also counted my steps, but in groups of 2, and I couldn't step on a new surface with my right foot, it always had to be my left. I couldn't step on cracks either. I also had to force myself to go against it, and now I'm a lot less obsessive about it.

        • WhiteFlamingo

          475d

          @catlover55 I also couldn't step on new surfaces with my right foot! It brought me so far behind. I think I decided to force it down when my parents almost left me behind in a parking lot because the surfaces were so weird.

    • jeed

      479d

      i usually don't notice it too often but i find that i can't complete a task unless i've counted "enough" or "correctly", especially if i'm typing or if i've accidentally tapped something

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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