why do i do this?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pls help!!!!!!!!!?

Question

i always have to pick something out, like such as im in a shop and i want to buy a packet of crisps and there's like 20 of the same size same flavor same name one each one and still i have to choose one carefully. i don't know why i do this! it's driving me nuts! they are all the same but i just can't choose any old one like normal people, and then when i put my hand on the packet i feel like the one on the right is better or at the back or whatever (it's not just packet of crips, it's like EVERYTHING IN LIFE. i even have to look closley at a cup before disiding which side to drink it from!). i really find it annoying! and to top it all off every time i want to do something i feel that if i don't do it this way bad things wil happen, even though i'm not even sure about that!
do Not tell me thats normal and everyone does it because i KNOW i'm the only one.

and by the wy i do not have OCD, because i am not a clean freak.

pls help!

i heard you have to constantly wash your hands and stuff if you have but i also have a weak memory, lose attention very quickly and have a bad temper and and in a lot of stress right now at the moment

im 16 and my parents don't even believe in disorders and i honestly tried to make my dad take me to our doctor but he plain out refused saying "everyone controls them selfs not disorder", which i thought was a really stupid thing for my dad to say, and since my school grades have been poor due to me not being able to give it my full attention and my memory is poor, but my dad thinks it's because i don't study when i truely DO study, but i just can't get the good marks. i'm realy depressed

Answer 1

OCD is not just somebody who cleans, it may be that you have a form of it, have you spoken to your doctor?

Answer 2

You're not American - because if you were - you'd say 'chips' and not 'crisps'.

I'm going to offer an alternative idea to 'OCD'.

There's an element of low self esteem. You feel that you do not trust yourself to make the 'right' decision. It could be that, in the past you've not lived up to your own (high?) expectations, and you probably have to some degree 'perfectionism'.

Next time you go into a shop - have a look at people around you and notice how they dither whilst choosing (for example) what clothes to buy - or what sandwich to buy. You're doing the same thing - but to a much greater degree. However, you're focusing on it and the more you focus on it - the more aware you become of it and then you go into a circular pattern of thinking.

So, how to get over it?

The problem is best tackled by dealing with the cause - not the symptoms. Try, for example, telling yourself that you're a clever person and that you make good choices and that nobody can critisize you about the choices you make and that you are in control of all that you do and you're a confident person. Smile at yourself and tell yourself 'I'm great'.

Try to build up your self confidence and ignore those little nagging thoughts which are negative.

Answer 3

Being a clean freak is not the only way OCD can raise it's head, but I too doubt you have that.

I suspect what you have is a learned thing, maybe from a parent ? or maybe it's something you picked up unconciously through your upbringigng ? Such tendencies have a habit of showing up when we are under stress. I follow in my mothers footsteps when under stress, I tidy compulsivley if I'm scared, angry, lonely... the house is always neat, to the point my ex can tell what mood I'm in but the state of cleanliness of the bathroom.

What you need to do is some relaxation, and put some willpower into not being choosy (yes it's difficult), and letting yourself go with the flow. Start small.... buy apples at the supermarket, close your eyes, take one put it in the bag, close your eyes take another... and then take a third. walk away and you've made a start... a small step, apples without hassle, without the choosing ceremony.... and keep working your way up.

One warning..... DOnt take it too far, if you have to choose things like mortgagrs and cars and safety equipment.... take as long as you need to choose the best quality. It's a matter of prioritising whats important, and what not. Beans is beans, lifebelt's is important !

Answer 4

Well, it seems that you may have an obsessive TRAIT which is much more common than the disorder. Obsession with cleanliness is just ONE of the ways that OCD may manifest, but there are several, so not being a clean freak doesn't rule it out.

However you call it disorder only if it trully disrupts your daily living. It is pretty common for many people to have certain obsession with some things. If it troubles you a lot I would advice a psychological evaluation to set straight what you have and to what degree it is affecting you. Otherwise you may dismiss it and try not to pay attention to it.

Answer 5

OCD can be not just about clean freaks... My youngest son is like that. He is all right but I am trying to encourage him slowly to do opposite way: he will choosing in the shop for ages (he is not aloud to have crisps but still it's lots of thing to choose from) Everything is matter for him: wrapping, how it's look... He has to eat with one and only spoon and it must be clean basically all the time (some time ago i had to wash it up to 10 times during one single meal). Slowly , day by day we got over it. If you do know where the monster you will deal with it. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Here's a good question to ask yourself in all these situations... 'whats the worst that could happen'. In other words if you picked the 'wrong' packet of crisps, what could be the worst case scenario? This question often helps people rationalise feelings like this. Now i know you said you don't have OCD but i think you need to be aware that this isn't just about cleaning at all, its about any kind of irrationally repetative behaviour. It is possible you have some kind of anxiety based problem (maybe not OCD) and i'd suggest speaking to your doctor, there's nothing to be ashamed of, mental health issues affect as many as 1 in 3 people at some point in their life and i'm sure this is something you can get over.

Answer 7

OCD covers alot of things like having all the queens heads the same way or colour coding the contents wardrobe in an obsessive way.By this I meen it makes you worried if its not.Do you constantley check for your keys?Yep normaly its a clean thing but its obsessive behaviour of any type......well in my experiance it is.By the way your not the only one...I except the way I am and I sometimes find me funny but I also worry about how I seem to the outside world.....I can notice when Im having a obsession but cant always stop it. You are not on your own...dont give yourself a hard time.Your not being kind to yourself.Take care and try to relax.

Answer 8

OCD comes in many forms to different people. I have OCD and I am in no way 'a clean freak' or do I compulsively wash my hands. The OCD that you claim you don't have,which you're backing it up by saying you're not a 'clean freak',is the most commonly known form of OCD,and you're incorrect in your research. And from what you've said the likeliness is that you DO have OCD,and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. All you have to do is go to your GP to get a diagnosis.
Good Luck...
xxx

Answer 9

OCD is not just for people who clean, it can be a form of reassurance for a person ie turning lights on and off, locking dorrs repeatedly etc.

It sounds to me to be a bit quirky rather than wierd, maybe you should consult a doctor if it is bothering you that much. I wouldnt be too worried about it, it could just be that it is a reassurance mechanism for you. try looking on

http://www.ocfoundation.org/

this will give you all the information you need on ocd and ways of getting help and advice.

Good luck and best wishes xxx

Answer 10

almost everyone has stated the obvious by saying o.c.d. isn't just the stereo typical hand washing it can be doing things just right in case "something terrible" happens you seem to have a classic case of acute anxiety and the more you are panicking the more "confused" and indecisive you become it's good you recognise all isn't well i think you are an American if so it may be different to here in England but you can make a d.r appointment by yourself and discuss the concerns with your d.r you don't need your dad you may need counselling or some thing to help you calm down

Answer 11

Whatever you do avoid meds as long as possible. You are a bit depressed but some guys look for that. If it gets worse sure you will ask for help . All you need now is to know you are an outcast in life and have yet to be adopted so to speak.