Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

[jellytot01]

Ok, i just wrote a really long message explaining things but it woudlnt submit so im going to shorten this one.

I have ionly told 2 people about this and one of them mentioned OCD.

I count everything! I know numbers of things all around my town, my school, house, bedroom, garden. I also like the number 14 and i split things up in my mind to make them 14.

i give things points to equal 14. For example, my bed is a rectangle. The two longer sides are worth 4 points each, but because the toher 2 sides are smalled they are only worth 3 each. This makes 14.

I had to remove a shlef from by bookshelf because it equalled 16 not 14.

I count winndows and i know how many windoows and stairs there are in loads of places.

i haver 14 steps on my stairs at home. If i cant sleep i will walk up and down the stairs making sure there is definately 14. also if i can't sleep i will count things in my room and make them equal 14 or a multiple of 14. I know the 14 times table up to 560 and then i just automaticall stop.

It may sound stupid but it is really affecting my life.

if there is anoyone thats knows a bit about ocd then please reply. i need help and im getting annoyed now. ive tried blanking it out of my mind but it just doesn't work.

Thanks for reading.

[charliebaps]

I think a lot of peole have some degree of OCD. I use to be obsessed with the number 3. If it starts to take over your normal habits than it might be worth going to the doctor to talk about it who could then refer you on.

Good luck

[funnywebsite]

Have you watched Monk on Saturday afternoon on BBC2? It's about an American private detective, its really good. He is obsessed with counting. He goes to a therapist every week. Do you wash your hands all the time? I often count things myself, its usually when I am bored and sitting in a room i.e pattered wallpaper, or as you say lots of windows. I remember counting patterns on wallpaper as a kid we usued to have in the bedroom.

[mibn2cweus]

Having an active and focused mind can be a good thing. If only this could be directed toward and applied to a useful and rewarding purpose everyone could benefit from this. But there may be an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. I hope you can find a practical solution to this problem and live a happy if not 'normal' life.

[Celtigra3]

Earlier this week or was it last week there was an article in the paper about OCDs who are obsessed about numbers. You need to see a doctor and get referred for therapy. Good luck.

[mimififi]

Hi there Jellytot
I have a little experience with this, and I can recommend this site. it is UK based and there is a forum on their to gain access to other sufferers for support and chats. I would go to your doctor if it impinging on your life before it gets so bad you can barely leave the house, or develop other obsessions and compulsions.

http://www.ocduk.org

Hope this helps and thinking of you.

[jellytot01]

i haven't told my parents this because I don't know how to say it without seeming paranoid and stupid

[undercovers]

I'm quite interested in the subject and am currently reading 'Abnormal Psychology' by MArtin Seligman, Elaine Walker and David Rosenhan published by W.W. Norton & Company Inc. Its an american book but was in my library, have found it an excellent introduction to the subject and found the section regarding OCD very helpful. Basically there are three views of OCD depending on your school of though, but all believe it is treatable - either with various forms of therapy or drugs... please don't worry about either of these things BUT do promise yourself that you will go and see a GP about these counting rituals if you find them adversly affecting you life... but remember you are definately not going mad.

I suggest a trip to you local library, it is a facinating subject and one that you may well be suprised how many people "suffer" from. All the best, and maybe a bit of reseach would help you talk to you family about possible need for therapy in the future.

Much love Undercovers