- Date posted
- 5y
- Date posted
- 5y
If you are annoyed by pillows and blankets not being symmetrical, I kind of doubt that would be OCD-related. If, on the other hand, you fear something bad is going to happen if things aren't symmetrical and immediately placed these items symmetrically to prevent the bad thing from happening, that would be an indication of OCD.
- Date posted
- 5y
its kinda hard to describe but it makes me really anxious if things aren’t perfectly aligned and i always get up to fix it which gets a bit annoying for other people
- Date posted
- 5y
@rubyj It sounds like you feel there is a right way to arrange your bedding.
- Date posted
- 5y
How much time do you spend each day doing things to fix the pillows and blankets? And how would you feel if you weren't able to correct it?
- Date posted
- 5y
i dont really know how much time i spend doing it but whenever i see pillows blankets etc. placed unsymmetrically i fix it & it makes me super anxious if i cant do it immediately
- Date posted
- 5y
@rubyj Does it take you a while for you to get the pillows and blankets in a way that feels "just right"?
- Date posted
- 5y
@Mike30 it takes me about 30minutes and i always arrange them in the “right” way if that makes sense
- Date posted
- 5y
@rubyj Believe me, this makes perfect sense. Are you saying there is a perfect way that these items must be organized and you can't stop until you get it that "right" way?
- Date posted
- 5y
@Mike30 yes absolutely!! that’s exactly how it feels for me
- Date posted
- 5y
@rubyj I recommend you make an appointment with an OCD specialist. I don't know if you have OCD, but you have some of the symptoms I had. I don't know how severe. Best to schedule an appointment to hear from a professional.
- Date posted
- 5y
Ugh this sounds just like me. I struggle with perfectionism and symmetry OCD. I'm constantly going behind people when they're in my house and making things "just right." For example, if someone washes their hands and uses the towel, I have to go behind them and fold it perfectly symmetrical or it drives me nuts. I don't feel that something "bad" is going to happen, it just keeps nagging at my brain until I fix it. And sometimes it takes me a long time just struggling to get the towel to look right. And this happens all the time with the couch cushions, the way the chairs are positioned around the kitchen table, how plates are stacked in the cabinets. It's so tiring and, frankly, embarrassing. When my boyfriend takes out the trash and replaces the bag, I always have to go behind and fix it so the little pull strip is directly in the center of that makes sense. And then I feel bad and apologize to him telling him it's not that I think he didn't do it right, I just have to make sure it's perfect or I won't be able to move forward with my day. My mind is so exhausted.
- Date posted
- 5y
There is something known as Radical Acceptance for addressing the condition that everything has to be placed in a "right" way. It involves learning to become more flexible in one's thinking about these sort of things. As you know, such a mindset can place considerable stress on relationships. I would consider it more symptomatic of OCPD than OCD.
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond