Hi guys,

This is very embarrassing to admit... but ever since two years ago, I've been talking outloud to myself on a daily basis, ONLY when i'm alone and make sure that no one is around. I would talk outloud in accordance to the thoughts in my head. (e.g. if i think of an embarassing situation i went through, i would reason with myself outloud that it wasn't that bad). I wouldn't say they are conversations, but i would talk about random things occuring in my mind outloud.

Another issue I have is with "checking". I guess this relates more to OCD. Well two years ago i went through a little incident with fire. So every morning before I leave the house, I LITERALLY check the stove atleast 5 -10 times before stepping foot out of the house. This goes the same with doors, windows, and even electrical outlets! Somehow, just somehow, I am afraid that my house would catch fire... It is totally unreasonable and i end up arriving late for everything.

Please. I've been trying for a while now to 'stop' these bad 'habits', but have no luck in doing so. I've talked with a psychologist about a year ago when these problems appeared, and she said it was normal for me to be going through this. She helped me realise that I "talk" to myself because I felt alone, which is true. The obsessive checking made sense as well.

But that was two years ago, and although i've come a LONG way, I still retain some of these habits. I want to be normal again and I figure it starts with fixing these issues.

Maybe I'm not trying hard enough?

Perhaps if anyone can share some helpful tips or advice for me to get over this, I would highly appreciate it.

Thank you.