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Jul 10, 2018 at 10:56 AM
#1
I don't know if this is "OCD" related, or "anxiety" related; or both. However, I wonder if anyone else has had this. I have an obsession with counting things. Mostly, it is with words, syllables etc. I do this in patterns. The first time I remember it was at age 7. I have done it for so long now that I can do it in my head while having a conversation.
I also count windows on buildings I drive by, lines in the road, tiles on the ceiling, etc. Further, I'll look at an item and follow around the edges with my eyes, sometimes in patterns. This is very annoying as it is something I can't seem to stop doing. |
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Legendary
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Jul 10, 2018 at 12:13 PM
#2
I’ve counted all my life; steps, filling up the coffee pot, things like that. I don’t even think about that I’m doing it. I do think it’s OCD. But it’s not that I do it out of any fear that I need to or something bad will happen. It’s just compulsive. It really doesn’t bother me. That should be the worst of my problems, lol.
__________________ "And don't say it hasn't been a little slice of heaven, 'cause it hasn't!" . About Me--T |
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Jul 10, 2018 at 12:20 PM
#3
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Oh yes, the stairs! I count all stairs I go up. I have to start with my left foot. It drives me bonkers to start with my right foot. Also, I do this when walking into a room. I must start with the left foot. If I step on a throw carpet, it must be with the left foot. I even count my steps as I am walking down my long driveway lol. It is, on average, 100 steps. This totally suited me when I was in marching band because of the "left foot, right foot" thing while marching. The thing that drove me bonkers was when other people were "out of step". lol |
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Jul 10, 2018 at 12:31 PM
#4
LOL I count, too. All the time. I also don't think anything bad will happen if I don't; it's just habit. As a musician, I mentally transcribe ALL music I hear to the written notes; this served me well in college but not so much now. I think it's OCD, too. My family always thought it was interesting and quirky.
Haha -- syllables, stairs, right/left foot, driveways.  Yeah. Funny topic. Made me laugh.
__________________ I've decided that I don't want a diagnosis anymore. 
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 bamby1998
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Jul 10, 2018 at 12:41 PM
#5
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Oh yes, it is a big blessing when it comes to music. It also helps with playing Sudoku. I too don't feel like anything "bad" will happen if I don't do it. Sometimes, though, when I am cleaning and organizing I will get frustrated with it and say, "Heck, I just can't worry about making it perfect" and then I feel like I have done something wrong because I "slacked off". |
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Jul 10, 2018 at 04:21 PM
#6
'Count' me in on the obsessive counting (pun intended
) I've always done it with most everything- stair steps, while cooking, folding laundry, windows, ceiling/floor tiles, etc etc. Sometimes its just counting, sometimes it's to "prevent something bad", sometimes it's to distract from the intrusive thoughts. I also notice number combinations, even compulsively adding them up together at times - and have fear in relation to certain numbers/combos. I eye-trace patterns as well, more often than I previously realized! |
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 Anonymous57676
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Jul 10, 2018 at 04:35 PM
#7
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Golly, I never realized so many people could relate to this. Especially what you said JustCallMeCee! |
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Jul 10, 2018 at 04:35 PM
#8
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LOL @ the pun Oh and that's another thing, speaking of puns. I am always analyzing sentences that have words that can have different meanings. Sometimes it's for fun, and other times it's paranoia. IE: If someone says something that could be taken a different way. And then it grows in my mind. I "over-analyze" to the point of ridiculousness. |
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Jul 10, 2018 at 05:16 PM
#9
Quote:
 Love Sudoku. Whoopee!
__________________ I've decided that I don't want a diagnosis anymore.
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Jul 10, 2018 at 10:28 PM
#10
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| Anonymous57676
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Legendary
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Jul 11, 2018 at 12:37 PM
#11
I took a tour through a cavern and told the leader how many steps we took. Embarrassing!
__________________ "And don't say it hasn't been a little slice of heaven, 'cause it hasn't!" . About Me--T |
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Jul 11, 2018 at 01:24 PM
#12
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Just think, you might be the only person to have ever figured out how many steps it was, AND tell the tour guide. THAT makes you unique. |
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Aug 09, 2018 at 07:33 PM
#13
I'm very sorry you experience this. I have OCD too, I know how frustrating and tiring things like this can get. Hang in there.
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