Counting OCD

My OCD makes me feel like I need to do things in even numbers. Like touching something, tasting, looking, smelling, etc. It makes me do things I have no desire to do. For example, I touched a hot stove accidentally and without even thinking about it I immediately touched it a second time. I can stop it if I really think about it but I wish the urge to do the compulsion would go away. It makes no sense that I feel like I have to do this. I then sometimes ruminate on why I did something twice, like I wanted to do it even though I know I didn’t want to. I feel insane just typing this. Can anyone relate? I’m guessing not

Username: Lularu

Date posted: 381d ago

You are not alone. I can relate.

User type: NOCD Alumni

Username: Brian K.

Date posted: 381d ago

Hi Anonymous, yes I can relate. I have compulsions for repeatedly checking or doing an action a certain number of times because for some reason it just feels right. And if I don’t do it that number of times i will feel very anxious and sometimes not be able to move fwd. I have no idea why some compulsions require a certain number of repeats vs another, or why i feel the need to do them, only my OCD Bully really knows. I used to be much worse before ERP and therapy, but I still slip up and find myself compulsively repeating things unnecessarily especially when stressed out or anxious. You are definitely not insane or alone on this.

Username: OcdDude1

Date posted: 381d ago

Thank you!