[Photonate]

Hello, as with most of my threads I'll first begin with hopefully this is the right section.

But sections aside, I'm just wondering what it might mean or why I frequently seem to count things I do. Not like every little thing, but I notice I seem to fairly often just naturally without even thinking about count things like how many times my fingers scratch an itch, or how many times I’ll tap my foot/leg or swallow when taking a drink.

Also if it's worth including, with things like tapping my foot or leg with more than just a few repetitions, I usually like to do it in multiples of 5-10 lol I don’t absolutely have to but if I don’t end on a multiple like one of those afterwards it just feels… ‘off', I guess lol

[Yaowen]

Dear Photonate,

I wish I had something helpful to say in response to your post, but sadly my mind is blank.

There is a mental illness called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD]. Since I am not a physician or medical professional, I do not know what defines this disorder.

Certain behaviors fall into the range of normal variations of human behavior. Others do not not. I think, and I could be quite wrong, that one of the factors that determines which is which is whether a certain feeling, thought stream, mood or action interferes with one's daily life or causes one distress or unhappiness.

Sometimes if one is distressed about something they do, a visit to a licensed physician can be helpful. Only a licensed physician can do a medical workup and do testing that results in a medical diagnoses and prescribe treatment options.

I myself certainly have unusual peculiarities. Some distress me and have motivated me to seek medical attention. Others I regard as quite harmless and do not impact me, my life or others in a negative way, and so I just tolerate them.

If the counting you mention is causing you any distress, perhaps a visit to a doctor and/or therapist would prove helpful. I don't know. So very sorry I could not be helpful to you in this. I wish you only the very best.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

[Albertina Geller]

It looks like you are suffering from counting OCD in this people count without thinking of a specific number. Different people count different things like some count their steps, tiles, cars passing by, numbers, alphabets, etc. I would recommend you see a doctor or therapist as therapy with medicines are the best treatment for OCD.

You can read these articles on counting OCD and relate to your thoughts
Counting Numbers OCD: Symptoms and Treatment | NOCD
OCD Types | Facts and Info | New England OCD Institute

[Prycejosh1987]

It could be irritation or bordem. We are all humans and we all make mistakes and do things that can be annoying. I think you should simply ask yourself why you count things, and what purpose does it hold. Once you know the answer it will be a starting process.