Quote:
Originally Posted by FluffyDinosaur
I do that, too, count things. I also check things a lot and I have certain "rituals" that I have to do a certain number of times until it feels "right". There are good and bad numbers and I try to avoid the bad numbers as much as I can (although obviously I can't always avoid them as I don't have full control of my surroundings).
In my case I don't think it's enough for a separate OCD diagnosis, because it doesn't take an excessive amount of time each day. I've read somewhere that OCD-like traits are common in bipolar, and that the most common ones are counting and checking (as opposed to things like hoarding).
There are so many things like that, for example anxiety is another one. I suppose I could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but I wouldn't personally consider it helpful as I see these things as "secondary" symptoms related to my bipolar rather than separate diagnoses. Otherwise I would probably have a whole list of diagnoses, and I think that would only be distracting as far as treatment goes. I feel like as long as my bipolar is under control, the rest is manageable, too. When the bipolar gets ouf of hand, then the rest will typically follow.
I don't mean to say that you shouldn't get an OCD diagnosis, but I think it's worth considering whether it will be beneficial to your treatment or just distract from other issues.
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This is precisely what went through my mind when I wrote my first post above. FluffyDinosaur, you just said it better, and will surely not get scolded like I sense I was, to a degree. To me, this cautious look at potentially new diagnoses is best. Not that one shouldn't get diagnosed with a condition, if it really applies. However, don't many of us have some of a number of them, but don't always meet full criteria, or at least have them warrant new/additional medications?
I've had a tendency to count many things throughout my life, too. And act a bit compulsively during certain circumstances. But in my case, these habits were not really distressing/imparing in any major way. They didn't affect my life negatively, but were maybe even more "comfort habits". I never mentioned them to my pdocs or tdocs for those reasons, though my husband eventually noticed them. Heck, he has his OCD-"like" stuff going on, too!
Hallie, if your counting is something you really think should be treated, then I hope you get that proper treatment. Certainly if it's affected you negatively all of these years, or worsened, it's good you finally decided to reveal this issue.