So I’ve had OCD for a while now and one thing that really is hard to overcome is the counting because it’s really hard to stay aware of it because it happens all the time. I noticed that I do it almost as second nature now and it makes things stressful. It’s like my body automatically does it and it’s usually in my head. Like I can be wiping something down and I count how many times I wipe it. It’s not like I do it more or less I just count when I do it. And when I don’t, it makes me anxious like I feel like I’m missing something or forgetting something. Sometimes it’s even just itching my head or something. I also fidget a lot until it feels just right. Anyone else do this too? It’s almost like a sensory OCD. By the way, I am a 24 year-old female, Neurotypical, also struggled with anxiety. Thank you all so much. This thread is super helpful!
I recognised a long long long time ago that I count things all the time.
It’s so baked into the background of my psyche that I’m totally fine with it. It might have once been a weird habit that freaked me out, but it’s honestly so much in the background now rather than a continuous effort that I’m cool with it.
When it comes OCD/anxiety inducing though, that’s an issue. Because the counting is already something I do, yes, naturally OCD often hijacks it and makes it a problem.
You just need to accept that whether or not you count, it makes zero difference.
Accept the thoughts. Don’t block them. Just reframe them. Take away their pseudo sharpness and urgency.
Oh yes, counting.
Counting how many sweeps of the broom on the floor. Not because I need to get to X amount, just because. But I have to end on a 5 or 0.
Yup…sending support
i used to do these kinds of stuff you mentioned... but i've never been diagnosed so i have no way of knowing it's OCD
I’d say 95% of people on here don’t “know” they have OCD.
It’s just a very good guess, and often one that therapists will roll with because they also have an idea that it is.
I was told 17 years ago that it sounded like OCD, and that was enough for me. Never went to the efforts of a formal diagnosis. The glove fits.