Movement & Touching Compulsions

My OCD began to flare up in my adolescence. It mostly stemmed from a tendency for perfectionism. I’m now 60 years old. Eventually, my symptoms developed into ritualized touching, tapping, and movement. For example, I would have to perform certain activities, such as getting dressed, in symmetrical or specific ways and touching or moving objects, as well as handwriting and typing, in a particular way or a specific number of times until it felt just right. I began seeing psychiatrists 35 years ago and have taken antidepressants since then. I’ve also worked with a clinical psychologist who specializes in OCD and worked with me in doing ERP. My symptoms have flared up since the holidays. I’m wondering if anyone else is dealing with movement and touching compulsions. I look forward to your comments. Thank you!

Perfectionism OCD

Username: anonocdanonocd

Date posted: 48w ago

I get those, but I’m actually grateful for them because they create such a clear opportunity to do ERP. Some of my other compulsions are more tricky to fight against.

Username: EstridEstrid

Date posted: 48w ago

Is it possible for you to apply some of the strategies you have learned in the ERP treatment? I think a very important peace is to take a step back in the mlment you are triggered and notice what you are doing, and then remind yourself that you have a choice to engage in the compulsion or not. Maybe search treatment again!? OCD is unfortunately (to many of us) a chronic disorder and it can flare up when you thought it was gone. Hope you'll find a way to manage and not letting the OCD grow.

Username: FlorenceHanks222FlorenceHank...

Date posted: 48w ago

hey, i love that despite being in the thick of it right now post-holidays, you're looking to engage and learn here. it's tough dealing with rituals that include precise touching and movements and you've clearly been super brave in your journey, fighting this for years. 💪 i just gotta ask though, have you heard about unstuck (unstuckmyocd.com/try), an ai tool for ocd? it has been a game-changer for me this past month and i think it could work for you too. someone on here actually put me onto it, and man, i just wish i'd known about it sooner! 🌟

Username: Isnteasy

Date posted: 6y ago

Who in this app has OCD and tics?? What are some of your tics? I believe that Tourette’s syndrome and tics is just another manifestation of OCD. Both are based on a powerful urge.. and makes sense that a lot of people w ocd also happen to have tics. When someone asks me what it’s like to have tics that are hard to control they often say “can’t you just choose not to do it?” ?‍♂️ I tell them to try not to blink for 5 minutes and that’s what it feels like to NOT fulfill an OCD ritual/rumination or tic.. nobody is holding a gun to yer head telling you to blink but you start to feel an overwhelming urge to do it or you’ll lose yer mind lol

Username: EJK

Date posted: 6y ago

Hey! I suffer with Anxiety, OCD and depression. I'm really struggling with my OCD, I feel like I need to wash my hands more, I'm biting my nails down as far as I can and I feel like I constantly need to be touching things that make me cringe such as carpets with both hands and i can't cope with it because it's every minute. The main thing I have to do is grind all my nails on the carpet and I get intrusive thoughts to do this every minute and it’s really making me upset. Does anyone else get this? Is there any advice anyone has?

Username: alyb

Date posted: 5y ago

Anyone out there have ocd where everything you do throughout the day involves a ritual? I have a ritual for laying in my bed, if I touch the covers a certain way I have to continuously touch them with my left and then my right arm and then touch them to each part of my clothing. I have a ritual for getting out of bed, washing my face, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, showering, you name it. Lately I began liking a boy and the uncertainty and anxiety I feel about it has me spazzing out with excess ritualistic behavior. The type of compulsions I have are things such as - touching the cabinet 7 times or doing everything with my right ring finger touching the object ( such as putting the keys in the door, applying makeup, anything has to be with my right hand with my ring finger touching) this has been going on since I was 8 and I’ve gone to countless therapists and am currently on Prozac which has helped to an extent, but I’d like to see if there’s anyone out there with similar rituals or any advice? Also, every time I try to stop my rituals and like quit my ocd cold turkey SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS and just further perpetuates my fear and makes the OCD stronger ;(

Perfectionism OCD

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Movement & Touching Compulsions

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