[Miles89]

From when I wake up to when I fall asleep, I count several times during my daily routines. example;( I count when I touch objects, chew or swallow food, if I tap something once it has to land on an even number; avoiding the numbers 6,12, or 18. Is there anyone else who does this?

[mandazzle]

Yes! I do this constantly. I count everything like how many steps people take, how many stairs I go up, anything. But everything has to be 6 so I could to 6 and start over. And I have to do things like tap things 6 times.

[feary]

Is this related to Asperger's Syndrome?

[Lauru]

I do this too. I count my steps, my breaths, how many times I tap my fingers. I count how long it takes to inhale and exhale. And exhaling is bad and I can't look at people when I exhale or they'll get hurt somehow. Inhaling is good, and looking at people when I inhale blesses them. Or so the thoughts in my mind go, over and over.

[kickatthedarkness]

I like everything to be in multiples of 4; 8 is even better. I also manipulate numbers in a random way, without thinking. Say I see the number 6342 - I'd see 6/3 = 4/2 first, then 4+2=6, and see how 63-42=21 and 42=21*2 and so forth.

[smartstuff]

HEllo WOOO thizz iz my first post and I can relate i have problems with 3 7 and 9 everything i do must correllate twoo these numbers and if not i'll repeat until im satisfied

[bluzman]

Hi miles, I do count also and sometimes it becomes so invasive with my every day tasks..Unfortunately sometimes it becomes so controlling over me that i cant contain myself from doin it,especially in some situations like tryin to hold a rational conversation with somebody and the counting begins quietley with in me trying to keep a conversation happening at the same time...I count when I walk and I try to set out my own personal records by counting to set of numbers before I get round to the next pedestrian crossing..and some times if I dont get to my estimated time I get so frustarated and that I would have to go back the opposite side of the road and try again.....Youre not alone on this and I empaphize with you and others with this crippling saga..BUT NEVER DESPAIR...as life is a succesion of moments.....and living each moment is to succeed..Best wishes!

[MissyIsFlying]

Originally Posted by Miles89

From when I wake up to when I fall asleep, I count several times during my daily routines. example;( I count when I touch objects, chew or swallow food, if I tap something once it has to land on an even number; avoiding the numbers 6,12, or 18. Is there anyone else who does this?

I see how that can be a pain. I count every single step I take, in sets of eight, count everything I touch to make it even and count until I fall asleep at night. I find that when I mess up the way I count, pause longer between numbers, and count in sets of 4, that it's easier to not do it so much. It feels different to me and wrong, so I just stop. If you're in a worse situation than I am, you can try changing up the way you count, but that's all the advice I have... Best of luck to you.

[Paramore88]

I do this. I thought I was the only one! It makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one. The only advise I have is try to lower your anxieties and gradually try to cut down each number you count by one a day. It will take time but it will get better.

I hope this is useful to you.
Xx.

[violetmoons]

Yes ,I count alot,and cant do certain things.I count steps,hand washing,can't land on one certain number or ever even tell that number ,or an odd number.I have no idea why.

[7DeadlySins]

Hello Miles!

First off, thanks for such a good post! I know a lot of OCD people deal with this; me being one of them. I didn't use to count at first, but now that I've gotten older for some reason I feel like I have to. Some examples of when I have to count are:

-Washing hands: I don't do it so much anymore, but I use to have to wash my hands three times for some reason or I didn't feel clean.

-Closing bedroom door: I'm very paranoid that someone may go into my room while I'm gone so I constantly have to tug on the door handle until I'm satisfied. I've actually had to count all the way to 100 before I felt it was alright to let go. Not to mention for some reason I have to stare at the actual door knob for an X amount of seconds (which is really odd I know).

-Lights: When I unplug a light or device I have to stare at the outlet for an X amount of seconds as well. I also have to touch the surface to tell myself the cord is out. It's very time consuming, and very annoying I may add.

I always have to count to an even number. I hate stopping on an odd number since I like things to be equal I suppose. I avoid the number 12 at all cost for personal reasons. Anyway, your definitely not the only one that does this, so don't feel alone My opinion on what you could do to lower your anxiety is to go a day without having to count (or at least try). I am still working on doing this myself, but I've heard that it works very well if you actually accomplish it and see for yourself that nothing bad will happen as a result. My cousin also has OCD tendencies so she often helps me out when I ask things like, 'My door is closed, right?' I know she doesn't mind since she deals with the same issues as well. Having someone to help you along the way is always good too

I wish you luck!!~

[PTSDlovemycats]

Originally Posted by stellarbuffoon

I like everything to be in multiples of 4; 8 is even better. I also manipulate numbers in a random way, without thinking. Say I see the number 6342 - I'd see 6/3 = 4/2 first, then 4+2=6, and see how 63-42=21 and 42=21*2 and so forth.

As soon as I saw the number 6342 what you wrote is exactly what I thought before I even got to read that far ahead!! Wow, Obviously I also struggle with that as well.

I have a thing where I have to recite the alphabet in reverse repetitively. The faster the better -and I can be pretty quick at it too!!

I also spend a lot of time counting syllables as well. Before I send a text to anyone, the text has to have an even amount of syllables in it or I will have to either add or delete a word to make it even. Very annoying -Especially in any lengthy texts!!

Also when I walk, I have to be on the left side. Same with sitting on the couch. I am forever on the left, just like Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory. This has been going on for almost 16 years now though...

Ofcourse there were other things to, certain rituals with light switches, volume on TV and stereos, driving rituals, etc. Luckily with a lot of CBT most of my OCD has subsided but I think I will always be cursed by the dreaded repetitive reversed alphabet...

[Crew]

I count everything, holes in the ceiling you name it. we have a problem with odd numbers and find even numbers more comfortable... wow I thought I was the only one that did this...
It's nice to know I"m not alone but it's not nice to know that you have to deal with this unless you don't... which I think that didn't make sense, I hope someone gets what I said. Cheese wonderful people

[blackheart123]

Omg i count continuously and it drives my mother insane!!! i could actually resite how many steps ive taken how meny times i chewed my gum and who knows how many other things