Am I insane? Whenever I’m walking on a sidewalk, I don’t feel comfortable until I balance out where my individual feet land respectively on the sidewalk. For example, if step on a crack with my right foot where the second block is higher than the first, I feel an underlying urge to do the same with my left foot as soon as possible (note: it need not be the same particular block and the elevations must be nearly the same between the two blocks). Sometimes I will walk an extra 47.2 feet until i can even things out. Also, for some reason, I inwardly suspect all men who where leather sandals with cork soles of homosexuality. Am I insane, or does catch 22 apply in that I recognize my problem and therefore cannot be insane? 
Understand I am not offering a diagnosis for you. That’s for a proper mental health professional who’s had the opportunity to interview and examine you.
But the behavior you describe certainly is consistent with obsessive-compulsive behavior. Whether it rises to the level of a disorder depends on how much it impacts on the individual’s life.
Most people with obsessive-compulsive behavior are perfectly in touch with reality. They are not insane. Even those individuals with severe OCD generally recognize reality, and thus are not insane either.
If your behavior is troublesome to you, discuss it with your doc.
QtM, MD
I used to do this, too. It took about 10 years, but I was able to make myself stop.
If this is your problem, I wouldn’t worry too much. If you find yourself doing this all the time in other aspects of your life, you may have an OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Of course, IANAP(sychiatrist), YMMV, etc.
Qadgop, fastest posting doc in the (insert appropriate geographical locale here).
I have to agree: sounds a lot like either OCD or nothing. I would talk to a psychiatrist if it bothers you.
I used to have some obsessive-compulsive behaviors (most having to do with locks and doors), and still have some OC thoughts. For example, I would lock my car at least three times before I managed to get 15 yards away from it. (Did I lock it? Did it work this time? Is it really locked?) Every time I went into the bathroom (even when I wasn’t doing anything ‘bad’ 
) I would lock it, walk over to the toilet, then take a quick sidewards glance at the lock, another one, another one, walk back to the door, feel the lock to make sure it was engaged, stare at it for a few seconds, feel it again, etc. A couple times when I was doing something I felt I shouldn’t be doing I managed to convince myself that my dad had placed cameras in my room to monitor my behavior. Bad stuff? I don’t know. I’ve pretty much gotten over those, though. Simply recognizing the problem is the first and biggest step. After that, if you want to stop make a conscious effort not to do the obsessive-compulsive thing you do. It’s really tough, but it’s doable. Good luck.
With apologies to C. Milne.
Heh. I am exactly the same way. It’s odd.
Yep, I’m pretty sure I suffer the same thing. I never been diagnosed myself but from what I’ve heard I’m pretty sure.
I’m a chronic hand washer, about 10 times a day.
Any paper around me, if folded, has to be folded PERFECTLY. (i.e. corners match ect…)
I can NEVER take the last bite of food off of ANY meal I eat.
[shrugs shoulders] Eh, I could care less if I have OCD or not; it really has no impact on my life. On the contrary, I think the whole hand washing bit is why I never catch a cold. (well hardly ever, 5 years and counting) But that’s just MY theory, I could be wrong.
I do this too, with stepping - got to even it out! I think it started for me when I took a typing class. Got me thinking about the whole left hand vs right hand thing and I’ve been stuck with this ever since. When I think of words sometimes, I break them down mentally and “type” it in my head. It must help my typing somehow, since I can keep up a 100wpm pace most of the time.
Same thing with itches…like if I feel an itch on the left side of my face, I feel compelled to itch around the same area on the right side, to even it out. Really freaky. I’m pretty normal with everything else though.
I do this too, with stepping - got to even it out! I think it started for me when I took a typing class. Got me thinking about the whole left hand vs right hand thing and I’ve been stuck with this ever since. When I think of words sometimes, I break them down mentally and “type” it in my head. It must help my typing somehow, since I can keep up a 100wpm pace most of the time.
Same thing with itches…like if I feel an itch on the left side of my face, I feel compelled to itch around the same area on the right side, to even it out. Really freaky. I’m pretty normal with everything else though.
When compulsive behaviors do become problematic, there are medications which are often helpful.
I appreciate that you’re a very precise kind of person, but how are you able to ascertain that someone walking towards you wearing leather sandals has a type with cork soles?
I can be that way about bathing, I have to wash every part of my body at least twice. It just means that I have to plan a little extra time for showering. Not a problem.
I used to have this exact behavior as well. I got over it in junior high, I think, but now I wash my hands compulsively. (About 10-12 times a day.) I guess I traded one compulsion for another.
Of course, I wouldn’t wash my hands so often if the guy I share a computer with didn’t constantly stick his hands in his mouth.