Hi! I’ve had OCD my whole life. Specifically - numerical OCD. I do everything in threes. For example, I can only listen to the same song 3 times, count three steps as I walk, eat 3 bites of foods, etc. Does anyone else here struggle with this? I also experience harmful and intrusive thoughts, and need things to be a certain way. But the three part - is by far the worst and most severe. Although each aspect of my OCD is constantly effecting my daily life, I feel that I struggle the most with numerical based issues (3).

kickincanadian

Date posted: 4y

Thank you so much! I do the microwave thing a lot, so I feel that starting with that would help a lot. As of right now, they’re turning subconscious so I will take your words to heart. Thank you!!!

Tulipwood

Date posted: 4y

No need at all! Good luck, you've got it!

Tulipwood

Date posted: 4y

I used to have that as well but with a different number. I had very specific actions regarding that number. After I decided to stop I found myself sometimes doing some if the same things without realizing, but definitely way less things than I used to.

kickincanadian

Date posted: 4y

Do you have any advice on how you stopped? I’m so proud of you for making progress. <3

Tulipwood

Date posted: 4y

@kickincanadian Thank you! I simply stopped by breaking my patterns one by one. For example, I started setting the microwave number normally instead of making sure it was divisible by that specific number. I stopped counting things whenever I caught myself doing it. Of course each time it could be a hit or miss, but the important thing is to pinpoint all the actions that include that specific number and catch yourself when you do them and decide to stop, because at some point they turn to subconscious activities and so you gotta pay close attention.

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