Do I have OCD?

W

wherzwaldo

1,000+ Posts
I've always been a counter. While reading I count letters in a word, words in a sentence, words on a line, etc. I count steps when I'm walking (10 steps from my office to the restroom) or when I go up and down a staircase. While driving, I count things as I pass them: lane stripes between light poles or road signs, parking spaces or parked cars, highway joints. No matter what I'm counting, I get annoyed when whatever I'm counting doesn't add up to an even number, perfect square, etc. I guess that's the former math major in me.

A couple months ago I caused an accident because I was counting road stripes instead of looking ahead. Fortunately, nobody was hurt (although the car ahead was stopped and I was going about 15mph after braking). But ever since then, I've kind of been haunted by the thought of that car being a person or a child. I constantly try to refocus my attention, but always find my eyes drifting down and to the right, watching the road stripes as they pass the hood of my car. The concentration has even given me headaches a couple of times.

I've always thought this was a harmless subconscious thing, but now I've caused my first accident in 10 years of driving, screwed up someone's car, and got higher insurance rates. And I'm lucky there wasn't anyone crossing the street. Is this something I need to worry about?
 
I don't know where the line is between harmless and actual compulsion which would be considered a disorder, but since you had an accident and are worried, you should see a professional for an opinion.
Or you could try to quit counting everything and concentrate on something else, to break yourself of the habit. Just tell your mind not to do it anymore when you start counting things. Maybe there are books about these sorts of things, try Half Price Books. There are self-help books about nearly everything.
 
I'm not qualified to make that diagnosis, but someone very close to me has clinically-diagnosed and somewhat severe OCD. What you describe is nothing like what they deal with (off meds), so I'd say "probably not".

From what I've read, many (if not most) OCD sufferers instinctively develop compulsions to occupy their minds, because otherwise they would dwell on horrible things -- thoughts of harming their family, etc. It's almost as if the compulsions are defense mechanisms.

I'd say you're much more likely to be considered anal retentive. (I count stuff, too. I find it interesting.)
 
I am no doctor or expert on these things, but it does sound like you are OCD to some extent based on your post. I have some experience with this condition, as my youngest son is OCD. He and we have been counseled by experts dealing with it and treating it. My son doesn't count things as you do - he has several other OCD behaviors.

It might be a good idea for you take some action quickly on this before you have a much more serious accident and hurt yourself or others. I would not do self help reading on this condition based on what you said. Call a / your MD and ask for the name of a specialist in the OCD field and get in to see them right away.

Best wishes.
 
you may or may not be OCD







But if you are counting stripes on the road you most certainly are boring...
wink.gif




More seriously perhpas you just needed a wke up call. IF you still catch yourself counting things instead of driving or other safety related acts you have a problem.
 
You have compulsive tendencies, not the same as OCD. You are no more dangerous than the people who talk on the telephone while they are driving. I don't see any reason to force yourself into a label. That said, if you are unable to control the behavior, then you have a potentially harmful compulsion. Which is to say, if you can't stop yourself from doing it, you should consider either getting some help (therapy) or stopping driving.

Lots of people have compulsive tendencies, few people are truly OCD. Once you've seen it full blown, it is hard to miss it.
 
How can you count the stripes on the road? I'd get sick and
pukey.gif
! I'm OCD to an extent. I do count some things... like the number of steps on the stairs to my apt, but that's it. My apt has to be clean all the time. I do not like dust anywhere. Everything has to have its place. If it's moved, then I know it has been. I don't like dirty clothes on the floor. Or maybe I'm just a neat freak!?
 
Obviously, you are not looking for any finality regarding this on an internet message board.

If the compulsive behavior creates issues in your daily life, you are more than likely OCD.

My wife and one daughter are both diagnosed as such. I am no fan of labels and have a low opinion of the mental health community, but not individual practitioners without specific reason.

Questions you might ask yourself:
1. Running late for an appointment, counting steps. You lose count. Would you stop and try to recount and be later.
2. Are you an effective reader? Is it stressful to not count words? Do you take longer to read e-mail, technical documents, work instructions because you are too busy counting. Does this impact your productivity?
3. Can you make yourself stop counting while driving without help?

Good Luck with whatever you choose to do.
 
OCD is when the rituals become overwhelming where they interfere with daily life and activities. If you are late for work b/c you clean your house for 2 hours. If you don't make friends b/c you don't like contact b/c you are obsessed with germs. If you are counting road stripes and you get into an accident b/c of it, then yes you may have OCD.

Best pharmacological treatment is SSRI's.
 
The short version is that she got to the point where she didn't feel like she could function anymore and she couldn't have the life she wanted to have. So she withdrew from me, her family, and eventually the world.

I loved her.
 
I think a lot of us have these compulsive tendancies. When I was a kid, I was a compulsive hand washer. I figured out very quickly that it was not normal. I still have other things that I do to this day (I count things out in even numbers, repeatedly checking locks, etc) but I can also control it. I stopped the over hand washing at a young age by controlling it and making rules for myself.

Do you have a lot of anxiety?
 
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