[Fruitless]

Okay I just think this is reallly weird. When I'm in the car with parents and we are driving down the street this always seems to happen to me (lets see if I can explain it): You know the lines in the middle of the street (forgot what they are called, forgive me), I always have to put some kind of pressure on my hand/thumb(this also happens with signs/polls). or bite down hard on my mouth (or gum when I'm chewing on it). Also at home whenever I go downstairs in the middle of the night I absolutely HAVE to make sure the door is locked. If it is locked I still unlock it and then lock it again. Also when I'm in my room and my closet door is open I have to get up and close it or it will bother me like crazy. Also I CAN NOT wear shoes or socks when I'm home, or in the car. It just doesn't feel right. My mother is always telling me you sleep better when you wear socks, but I can not stand sleeping in socks. If i try it I always end up pulling one off during the night. What is up with all this? Also the little things bug me if they arn't right. Like say a menu at a restuarant is not folded right, I have to fold it right to be satisfied.

Any one have any suggestions for me?

[I tried to approach this topic on gaiaonline.com. here is the link if you want to have a look, http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/life....36388361_14/)

I am thirteen, so I am naturally curiouse.
I also took the quiz on this site (which I just joined to get your intake on this) and I got a 20.

[Perna]

Hi, Fruitless, welcome to PsychCentral (PC). You may have OCD tendencies or OCD. You should have your parents take you to your doctor and discuss it with him.

Wanting something a certain way or neat is not necessarily a sign of OCD. There are natural character traits so people might want them that way. And often, when we're teens and things are confusing, disappointing, or difficult for us and we and our circumstances are doing a lot of changing, it can be comforting to create some rituals on how to do things. I remember how jealous I was of my roommate in college because she always had things in her closet so organized and towels folded, etc. and I was a slob :-) She would sit at her desk and study in the way all the pictures and experts said to do it and always had to "set-it-up" just so and the same. But she didn't/doesn't (she's 56 now :-) have OCD. Some people love to clean and are organized.

The locking and unlocking, if it helps you feel more secure is fine too; it is when one checks a lock a lot of times (and not necessarily at night) that things can get ugly :-) I use to worry about my iron when I was a single working girl and I'd check it too often before I went to work or forget to check it and I'd worry everyday. I can't tell you how often I would have to turn around and go back home on my way to work to check to see if I turned it off. I decided I didn't want to do that anymore and didn't and a couple times I'd get home at night and it would be on! But I don't check too often anymore :-) One has to learn to trust one's self.

The first day of a new job I left my lights on in my car, in the days before they weren't automatic turning on/off, and my battery got drained. I didn't know anyone and it was hard asking for help but I got recharged and on my way but from then on I was afraid to turn on my lights in the rain or just gloom. But eventually I made myself trust myself again; I normally have a good memory :-) so I looked at the consequences of what would happen if I forgot (the battery would run down -- I didn't travel anywhere very far, if worse came to worse my husband could always come get me, etc.) and forced myself to trust myself. It worked and I am free from that particular fear.

What behaviors "bother" you? If you wish you didn't do something, try not doing it a few times. Look at what could happen (if your father or mother are "in charge" of locking the door, trust them to do it? When I was a child in the 1950's, no one locked their doors at night! The chances of a robber or someone targeting your house when you all are there, etc. is not very high) and then let yourself "trust" that you can deal with whatever does happen. It's Life, we can't control what happens outside of us.

But like I say, if you are really bothered by your behavior, if it feels like it has gotten out of hand, tell your parents and have them consult a doctor with you about what to try?

[AAAAA]

Fruitless,

My doctor explained OCD to me this way: Are you compelled to do certain things? Do they interfer with your life? What is your reaction if you are not able to do these things?

I've never heard that you sleep better with socks on, I could not do it myself. My husband cannot have anthing covering his feet while he's sleeping.

One of my things is the route we take to go somewhere. If we do not take "my" route, I'm really annoyed, anxious and irritated. Even when its beyond my control, such as road construction. And once we arrive at our destination, I can't just shake off the fact we took another route, I'm still unbearable.

Do discuss this with someone, even if you don't have OCD it'll make you feel better.