Am I OCD or just a weird habit?

Question

I have this thing that I do and I don't even realize it until I'm doing it! I count ,in my head, anything that is a repetative motion or sound. Example, I count my steps when I walk, I count how mant times my son swallows when I give him his bottle, I count how many times I scratch when I itch. I don't feel a need to stop on any number in particular but, I do try to stop on an even number. Is this just a dumb habit? It doesn't bother me or anything! I just want to know why I do it?!

Answer 1

No. Definitely not.
And one way you can tell is because if it was OCD it would bother you.

OCD is when you have anxiety if you don't do the counting.
You are being driven to do something, touch something, count something etc. so many times.
There is worry which can range to an intense debilitating fear that something bad will happen if you don't.
Doing the "rituals" brings relief or some kind of satisfaction, it's not just out of boredom or habit.

Don't listen to the others who are saying it is OCD, they think that OCD means anything even remotely to do with counting or repeating, it doesn't.

Interesting habit though! If you want to test yourself make a conscious effort to stop it (try thinking of something else) and see how you feel.
If you can't stop it, it might be worth keeping an eye out to make sure it doesn't progress. Especially since you mentioned stopping on even numbers, that's a TINY bit fishy, so it might be worth doing the test thing like I said. Pay attention to if your breathing changes or anything or when you count things, do you do it all the time or only when you're stressed etc.

The counting could just be a relaxing rhythm-like habit you've picked up for times when you are bored with nothing else to focus on. Walking in particular. Lots of people do this. Or they start stepping in between every second tile. Or trying to fit two steps in every tile or whatever.

But even numbers are just better so it's not that strange to try and stop on one! Odd numbers are odd! ;-)

Answer 2

It aint ocd it all.
I do the same thing, ie I count everything and it needs to "land" on a 4, 6 or 10 number otherwise it is "wrong"
Examples: Walking up stairs - how many times my right foot is placed on the ground must be 4, 6 or 10
Then sometimes things have to be repeated 6 times eg repeating a word 'left, left, right, right, middle, middle' and in my mind I would know whether it is right or wrong

Im not sure, but it may be possible that listening to a lot of music does this to a person.
I listen to ALOT of music and am constantly counting the beats but then again im no doctor..... just lettin u know you aint alone

Either way it doesnt affect my life in a detrimental way at all so I believe there is no reason to seek medical help

Answer 3

I do the same thing.
Way back when I was a kid I use to worry about what I would do should I ever go blind. . silly but remember I was a kid.
Today I primarily count steps but I have noticed that if something is on sale 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 I tend to buy as it is advertised and rarely break up the sale .....I always buy the 2 or the 3 whether I really need them or not.
Yes we are OCD but perhaps mildly since we rarely do it without feeling a need to stop on a particular number or situation.
It doesn't seem to interfer with our normal day or routine so I doubt it is a serious problem.

Answer 4

YEP ITS OCD-- I DO THE SAME THING & I WENT TO THE DCTR-
HERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF OCD--

OCD-
if you have OCD, you may fear that everything you touch is contaminated with germs, and in order to ease that fear, you repeatedly wash your hands.

Symptoms of OCD include:2

Obsessions, which are recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas, and impulses that interrupt normal thinking and cause anxiety or fear. The thoughts may be sexual or violent or create a concern of illness. Examples include:
Persistent fear of harm to yourself or a loved one.
An excessive need to do things perfectly or correctly.
A fear of contamination.

Compulsions, which are behaviors or rituals that are repeated intentionally to try to control the obsessions. Some people have rituals that are rigid and structured, while others have very complex rituals that change. Examples include:
Washing or checking.
Counting, often while doing another compulsive action, such as hand-washing.
Repeating things or endlessly rearranging items to keep them in perfect alignment.
Hoarding.
Praying.

PLEASE SEE YOUR DCTR ASAP- TREATMENT IS THE ONLY WAY TO HELP SOLVE YOUR OCD PROBLEM

Answer 5

If you tell a doctor, they will call it OCD. But if you aren't hurting anyone or you are able to live your life normally and count everything then, don't worry about it. Everyone has a wierd habit. If you are okay with it, then don't worry. If it becomes something you have to do in order to function, then seek some help.

Answer 6

This could just be a habit that you have., My wife has a mild form of OCD and Everything has to be in its place! If u CAN some timne watch Monk on TV that is an extreame case of it!

Answer 7

you dont have OCD. lots of people have querky habbits and counting is quite a common thing. I count ceiling tiles and sometimes stairs when i go up or down them and so on...that doesnt mean i have OCD. (trust me, ive looked into it and asked a professional the same thing)...your fine, eventually itll go away on its own. mine did for a few yrs and recently ive been counting again...so im sure itll go away in time

Answer 8

No, I wouldn't say that's OCD (not that I have a degree in psychiatry or anything). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder requires two parts, the obsession and the compulsion. In other words, something you can't stop thinking about and performing a ritual that goes along with your obsession. I think that merely counting things is normal. I do it all the time.

Answer 9

It absolutely does NOT meet the criteria for OCD since it really doesn't interfere with your life and does not cause a lot of distress. It's just a stupid habit; don't worry about it.

Answer 10

yes that is definitely a part of OCD and you're not weird...a lot of people do that...actually more women then men....i count how many swallows i take of juice in the morning....weird huh...nothing else...just a glass of water after I brush my teeth and then soon after that...some OJ....if this is not hurting yourself or anyone else...then that's fine...however if it does start to affect part of your daily life or that of someone else (ex....your baby only had 4 sips but usually they have 6..and you WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE 6)...then that would be a problem.....and that is easily helped...there are desensitizing groups out there but i personally would say..take a pill,,,it's quick easy and takes care of the "problem" much quicker if that is what it becomes...plus it calms your brain a bit from the overtime of thinking and counting stuff....good luck