[phaset]

So I have a bunch of ridiculous rules for myself that I follow. All things I can't do. For instance I can't wear shorts. I can't brush my teeth unless I am home alone. The thought of breaking these rules makes me very uncomfortable. Does anyone know what this might be called or what is wrong with me?

[A_Space_Between]

I can't diagnose, but are your rules obsessive things that you constantly think about? Are they things that you feel you have to do in order to avoid something? If so, you may want to look up info about OCD.

[Perna]

Yeah, it sounds like you might have an anxiety disorder, perhaps OCD. Rules give the illusion of control and can make us feel like we are safer and know how things are and are gong to be, it's an attempt to keep thing understandable and comfortable. I'd maybe see a therapist if it bothers you, or practice breaking your rules and seeing that nothing bad actually does happen. If you let the rules stand, you'll probably make more and more and just hem yourself in worse.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by phaset

So I have a bunch of ridiculous rules for myself that I follow. All things I can't do. For instance I can't wear shorts. I can't brush my teeth unless I am home alone. The thought of breaking these rules makes me very uncomfortable. Does anyone know what this might be called or what is wrong with me?

It might be called something like OCD. I don't know how helpful it would actually be to call it that, nor to decide that there has to be something "wrong" with you.

Please consider that calling what you do "ridiculous rules" isn't going to make it any easier to understand. If, as someone said, "the only way out is through," then the place for you to start is to notice what you actually experience when you wear shorts, or think about doing so, or brush your teeth while someone else is around. See if it would be OK with you to have that experience; and either way, keep looking to see what else that's about for you. If you find you really don't want to get into it by yourself, you might want to find a counselor or therapist to walk you through it.

[phaset]

Yeah, I'm not looking for a diagnosis. Just looking for ideas. I'm going to bring it up with my therapist too. I don't obsess over them, but I may be trying to avoid anxiety about some things by following the rules. They do seem odd and random though. I admit it sounds a lot like OCD but still not quite right.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by phaset

... I may be trying to avoid anxiety about some things by following the rules....

That reminds me a little of a time in my life when I had lots of commitments to be in particular places at particular times. I found myself regularly cutting it close and rushing to get somewhere on time. It took me a while to notice that worrying about things immediately around me (like traffic) was keeping me distracted from constantly reaching way out and worrying about lots of other things -- like whether I was making enough money and my relationships were working.

Why I'd worry about those "other things" would've been a different question.

[Miswimmy1]

sounds like OCD to me

[purple1967]

Whether it has a title or not its there so you got to work with it! I have same kind of silly rules for myself but i realalized that trying to fight them was causing way more aniety than the rules so i do what i simply call... embrace the crazy!

If the rules are harmless and dont disrupt life LET THEM BE! i was so much happier you will be too