Checking compulsions

Hey yeah I have this symptom your not alone. I don’t know the answer hopefully some people will see it and give us some advice🤷🏻‍♀️

Yup — checking doors (house, car, refrigerator, walk-in closet), electrical appliances, stairs while climbing, steps it takes me to get somewhere, squares on the sidewalk, tiles on floors or walls (especially in a bathroom), and it goes on. I’ve been doing well with an ERP mantra that I say out loud sometimes: “Go ahead and check once, then walk away.” With trash, I find I have to tear papers, letters, bills, documents, envelopes in half before dropping them in the waste basket. Don’t know why - it just makes me feel like “there - that’s done and over and OK to toss.” In general, I worry that u will accidentally lose or throw away important documents (or at least those I think might be important but probably are not). In the end, this nonsense is something I can live with compared to the intrusive thoughts and ruminations that abduct my mind and demolish my self-worth at times! Good luck!

Where do you feel the anxiety mostly in your body when you are anxious? Are you aware that you are anxious in the moment?

You’re not alone, and you can work through the anxiety! Feel the anxiety and notice. Mindfulness Therapist suggestions recommended over any advice or so I would say

This is totally me. I relate to your post so much. Every single thing that I throw away has to be examined. Right now I have to throw away an ice cream wrapper and a napkin and it’s killing me. You are definitely not alone in this.