I can barely leave the house

I have horrible checking intrusive thoughts where if I don’t check something before leaving the room/apartment/building, I’m convinced the worst will happen. I believe the .1% is more likely than the 99.9%. I’m worried if I don’t check the stove there will be a gas leak or fire, if I don’t check the outlets there will be an electrical fire, if I don’t check the faucets there will be flooding. It’s like my brain doesn’t believe me. I check hundreds of times before leaving and still I don’t feel secure in everything being good and end up rechecking. I take pictures and it’s like I don’t believe the pictures. I’ll go to my girlfriends but have to Uber back just to check something that is most likely okay and it’s Eating up my life. It is ruining my life and I have no idea how I can be an adult or hold down a job with this. I’m terrified of causing some horrible thing cause I didn’t check. I feel hopeless

Username: DussaultalexDussaultalex

Date posted: 2y ago

Thanks for the tip and for reaching out :) I do that, or try to atleast, and for some reason my brain doesn’t believe me that I said it. It always has a way to convince me the worst is gonna happen. It’s only after 20mins of checking that for some reason I can leave the apartment and even then I’m still uneasy. I’m not giving up, just all these methods aren’t sticking, but I’ll try what you suggested again

Username: DussaultalexDussaultalex

Date posted: 2y ago

It is exausting, it’s never not on my mind I’m never present cause I’m always in fight or flight mode thinking I did something bad or forgot to check something. It’s ruining my life. Thank you tho I will try the app thst sounds helpful :) sometimes bandaid solutions are necessaet

Username: Anna.bananaAnna.banana

Date posted: 2y ago

I’m in the early stages of recovery so I don’t know how sustainable this advice is. But for me personally, I started saying out loud to myself “door locked”, “blowdryer unplugged” to make it feel real and thus combat the later uncertainty of whether or not I actually did these things. Now when I worry about if I locked it, I tell myself “you always lock it automatically, so why WOULDN’T it be locked this time?” and realize there’s a far greater probability I locked it, since I lock the door every day but can’t remember the last time I DIDN’T do so, so why would today of all days be the day I forgot?

Username: Anna.bananaAnna.banana

Date posted: 2y ago

There’s an app called “evidence”, and although I think that’s a temporary bandaid solution, it allows you to take photos that you locked the door or turned the oven off

Username: Anon77Anon77

Date posted: 2y ago

Ugh I know this so well. I go to check the cooker is off only to return to check it again just incase I actually turned it on. So mine are mixed with intrusive thoughts, false memory etc. Its exhausting.

Username: PM76

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6y ago

Hi, I’m new here. I am a checker. I need to check the stove and other household appliances before I leave the house. I think I am afraid that I will burn the house down with my dog In it. I know this is not rational and the chances of it happening are incredibly low but I worry. I get stuck In loops while I’m checking things over and over. Sometimes things are better and I can get out of my house relatively easy. Other times it takes me 10-30 minutes to leave. I am seeing a therapist but I am not taking medication. Does anyone deal with similar issues? Has anyone found any strategies that help them cope?

Username: croutons

Date posted: 5y ago

does anybody else have constant intrusive thoughts about being like attacked or hurt or killed? like in the shower or even in my own bed at home i feel like i am in danger like someone or something is watching me constantly i constantly have to open my eyes or look around me to make sure i’m alone and it’s so annoying bc not giving into the compulsion gives me so much anxiety that i always think maybe this is the one time??? every time i leave the house, when i go to the store or at driving i can constantly just basically picture every person, especially men, just like attacking me idk... it’s terrifying cause i feel in a constant state of fight or flight and i can never stop worrying or feel safe :/ it’s exhausting

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 5y ago

I always have to check that everything is perfect and in order. I am afraid that my things will be ruined. When I am out I have to check clothes, shoes, bags, when I get home I do the same thing. Then I check the cabinets, the drawers, I have to check if something is missing and ask for help because it all seems to me messed up. Does anyone do this?

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I can barely leave the house

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