I’ve heard it before, called “something - something” disorder. Can’t remember the exact name, but I remember it probably had the words obsessive and chronic in it. Been told to go see some counselling etc, but have been too afraid of kicking the habit (or should i say not being able to kick the habit).
Does the following sound familiar to any of you? Does any of you think I am really wasting a lot of my time with these so called habits? Or am I just over-worried about something which I’ve heard affects a lot of people?
I have been well known for many wierd habits, some of which include: ( I will not be able to include all my habits, as it would take longer than a day to write, so I’ll just type a couple).
Having to wash my hands (or wherever) everytime after it has come into contact with something that other people can touch (examples: door handles, doors, window winders, chairs, buttons on ATMs/microwaves, doorbells, toilet flushers, keys, library books, tables, remote control, steering wheels, park benches, keyboards, light switches, and many more…). It may seem a little extreme, but sometimes, when i find that washing my hands every 2 minutes is not an option…i save up…and give myself a “big” wash before i am able to step in my house or bedroom. This habit however does not apply to things which i believe hardly come into contact with human beings or moving animals…such as concrete pavements or road surfaces. You would more likely see me roll around on the road than on the grass in a park (as u see - people, or other moving animals/insects can easily come into contact with the park). However, I am also wary of touching things that other people hand over to me. I need to wash my hands afterwards (or wherever it happened to make contact with my skin or clothes)…and sometimes, I even make use of wet tissues to briefly clean that certain object before it gets into my room. And don’t even talk about handshakes…
Taking forever to get through one chapter of a book, whether it is a novel or a textbook or even the newspapers. I might get through several paragraphs or pages…and then suddenly, I get this sudden urge to read all from the beginning of that chapter again (thinking - i must have missed something…even if it is a little minor detail, or even a single word). Once, it even took me a while to get through the contents page…which even though i knowingly knew was useless to read - I just “had” to read it…or else my reading was incomplete.
Making sure everything is as tidy or in place as it should be. I would get frustrated sometimes if i saw a piece of paper folded at the corners…or if it was supposed to be folded in half - i would make sure it was exactly in half…and then get annoyed at the unnecessary creases made. Or when there is a pile of paper, or a pile of books…i would make sure that they are perfectly straight on top of each other…(of course - the larger books would have to be on the bottom - if I wasn’t sure as to which one was larger i would go to the extreme of measuring it sometimes) and if that failed, i would use the alphabetical order rule (with all the zz’s on the bottom and aa’s on the top). Even after eating Maccers…I would fold the remaining waste properly before I dispose of it. Check out my wardrobe, and you’d see the same type of clothings hanged together (eg coats, jumpers, tshirts)…and of course separated in different colours.
As you probably would have guessed, my habits are taking up a lot of my time. I have tried for several years to get rid of such annoying habits…but it hasn’t worked. I can force myself into not doing it, but I feel very uncomfortable afterwards…and in the end…i still do it afterall.
Do any of you have similar habits? I have heard that it affects a lot of people from statistics etc. Have you been able to get rid of them, or are you able to live on happily with your life accommodating such habits? I am only in my 20s, and I honestly do not want to live the rest of my life like this. I don’t mind the habits as such…i just don’t like the idea of using up most of my time on such matters. I’d rather do something more useful. I feel ashamed to admit to family and friends, as they get annoyed at me, or feel i’m just this total freak. Or am I just over-reacting? Sorry for writing such a long message, however, I just felt a little more comfortable typing it out. Thanx for reading.
I have absolutely no idea what your “condition” is called, but I’ve heard of it before. I also have a treatment for the latter part (i.e. the compulsive neatness, etc.): you have to walk around my appartment for one week with your hands tied behind your back
And notwithstanding the fact that I am somewhat of a slob (‘it’s a mess, but it’s not dirty’), I too find some things revolting. For example, there’s this coffee machine where I work. It has one of them touch-screen displays. They get cleaned once per day, which means that at the end of the day, the screens are all dirty and greasy from hundreds of people touching them. Yuck! I sometimes wash my hands after getting a coffee, but that’s also because there’s a sink right next to the machine.
“O” and “C” is a tough thing to deal with. Some one I love has a similar struggle.
Just fight, always fight. Find out where it comes from. That is important.
Be creative, there are many very brilliant people that battle the same disorder. Find a way to express who you are.
Good luck.
P.S. the “C” is “compulsive”, the disorder is know widely as O.C.D. . . . and I am sure there are many wiser people on this subject that you should talk to.
hehe, cute kind of treatment, =) =) , but i can imagine myself trying to clean up the place even if i had to do it without hands, hehe. but my hardest task would be trying to steal the coffee machine from your work place and finding a place to put it in your apartment. might give you some motivation to clean up =p
i might try your suggestion one day though…but maybe i’ll have to find some place closer…cos i really don’t wanna get charged for stealing a coffee machine.
To NothingMan: Thank you kindly. I am fighting, and continuing to fight =) =). Oh, and thx for reminding me of the name of this condition…hope the person you were referring to will be able to get through this.
Hi Twynkie -
I don’t have any personal experience with OCD, but I do know that you can get help. There are behaviour modification treatments and also medications you can take to help you. I think the medications basically get rid of the “uncomfortable” feeling you get if you don’t wash your hands, organize stuff, etc. You should talk to your doctor about this. Don’t be embarassed…as far as I know, this is a pretty common thing. If it’s something that really bothers you, there’s no harm in at least asking a doctor about it.
Good luck!
Your descriptions are textbook examples of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The question as to whether these are just annoying little habits or significant problems worthy of concern and treatment is answered by your comment of
“I honestly don’t want to live the rest of my life like this.” Generally the measuring stick for such matters (Is it a quirk or a problem?) is the degree to which it interferes with your normal, everyday functioning; it sounds from your description as though this pattern does interfere with what should be relatively simple and care-free everyday activities. Combined with the fact that you have tried to stop/change and have not been able to do so, it certainly sounds as if you are a good candidate for OCD treatment. And it is indeed quite common, and various effective treatments (both medication and behavior modification) are out there. There are also lots of support groups for OCD, just like for other problems people cope with long-term. Check with the mental health department of your city or county, or do a web search. Along with the support you can get from fellow sufferers who would understand completely, they would also be able to steer you toward potential sources of treatment (i.e. would probably know of doctors or clinics that specialize in this problem), and would have lots of educational information to help you understand your condition. And most of all, don’t be afraid to take that first step; you will be amazed at how relieved you feel when you find out that you are not alone, and not crazy either, and that there are things out there that can help you. This pattern tends to worsen over time, often to the point where sufferers become completely incapacitated and unable to leave their homes, so sieze the moment and take steps now to put the brakes on these compulsions that are trying to take over your life.
Good thoughts are with you; let us know how you progress.
after reading all your replies, i feel a lot more reassured about getting some form of treatment, knowing that it is quite common - and that there have been successful cases
thanx for the encouragement, you guys are really nice i have to admit, considering you don’t know who i am - and i’ll make sure i’ll let you guys know if i manage to make any progress.
