[Aimeethearrow]

Hey, guys! There's an issue I've been having since I was really little (I'm a teenager now). I've been thinking for the past year that there's something wrong with me, but haven't been sure what and I've been too embarrassed. Now, though, I'm a senior and it's really interfering. These are my symptoms:

1) An obsession with alphabetization (I think that's a word). I'll take my hundred or so DVDs of TV shows and write a LONG list of each episode, and put them in order by alphabetizing the name of the episode. I've alphabetized all of the books in my three book cases by author, all of my CDs by artist, movies by title. If they aren't right, I have to correct it or I can't stop thinking about it. All of my 2000 or so songs on my ipod are listed alphabetically, and I'm listening to each one in that order. I also download a lot of podcasts, and if they aren't all named in the same manner, I go through each one individually to change the names.

2) An obsession with numbers. I have been playing the game Spyro since I was 9, and I know it so well I can do it by heart. Each level has a certain amount of money, and I can't leave until I get every single last one. I come up with certain "rules" for myself as I play the game, a certain order to do things, and if I accidentally do it wrong, I get anxious and have to stop, erase the whole game, and start over. A year or so ago, I had to list every level and the amount of money I was getting from it to be sure I had everything. Last night, when I really realized I needed help, I was playing Spyro for 7 hours. It isn't just the game, though. I can spend the same amount of time reorganizing my bookcase to be just so.

3) Daydreaming for hours on end. This one is the one I'm most embarrassed about. I try to focus on something, but it's like my mind gets taken over by a certain storyline. Some days are better than others; when it's bad, I can skip meals and stay in my room for days.

The first two may sound more perfectionist than illness, but they are just as disruptive as the last one. I skip homework, I skip projects until the last minute, even occasionally beg off being with friends so I can organize a list. I've had all of these since I was little, but I convinced myself that I could handle it. Just focus better. Now, I'm a high school senior trying to prepare for college and I can't do it. I've tried to just stop, but it doesn't work.

Does anyone know what this could be? I'm going to see a psychiatrist soon, but I'd like some thoughts because it all sounds weird to me. I kind of lean toward OCD; my boyfriend thinks ADD. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[Junerain]

I, too, daydream quite a bit, and have never tried to stop, believe it is a part of my personality, and accept and love myself still Skipping homework or putting off projects well it sounds like you are still doing ok in school, no? I wouldn't want to offer a diagnosis- I'll leave that to your first psychiatrist appointment..you are aware of these problems, and yes, perhaps it is 'weird..' yet we are all weird,in our own ways.. College gives you more time on your own, to get projects done in your own way, as life does, as you enter your twenties...if it's getting past the 'weird..' aspect, don't judge yourself or be too hard on yourself, and, you can always come to this site, and read similiar experiences, and let us know, how that first psychiatrist appointment goes.......

[KellyGirl]

I am 31 and constantly day dream, night dream, whatever. This is probably one of the only things that I would not change about me. Embrace it, I believe it is a gift.

[multipixie9]

Aimee,

In high school as a freshman, I lived in the Lord of the Rings, for almost a year. I rewrote part of it to make myself a role in the story. I often "lost" hours of time because I was totally checked out.

I did that because I was desperately unhappy and needed a refuge and the only one I could find was in my own mind - no other escape was available.

Daydreaming is not a bad thing - it is the use of the imagination. Nothing new ever happens without the use of the imagination.

Things become a problem if we can not stop when it is appropriate or important to stop and we keep on.

If this is OCD then they will diagnose that and there are ways to help a person with this. If you are doing it to cope with life then there are ways to help that too.

No matter what else is going on you need to know that you are obviously intelligent, articulate and willing to look at things and seek help for them. These traits will help you with your life. I respect you for looking at the things you face and asking questions. You will be able to work this out.

Feel free to seek support and help here. I do not have OCD, I have DID and PTSD and a few other "quirks" in my life. However, I am also a good listener and encourager. If I can help in any way, please pm me and let me encourage you. I think you are on your way to solutions!

[Karissa258]

I'm glad to hear that you're going to a psychologist. Hopefully he or she will know what's what, and can offer solutions to help you. I don't know what's wrong, but your symptoms kind of remind me of Adrian Monk of the tv show Monk. Good luck.