Do you find yourself automatically counting your footsteps when you are walking along the road?

Question

Or do you recite times tables? Spell out words in your head? Do you find these activities increase when you feel anxious. In other words, am I normal or should I go into therapy???

Yes I had thought of OCD but I asked a friend who is a therapist and she said that if you can stop doing it without it causing you any distress, then it is habit rather than OCD. I don't get distressed - but then again, I don't choose to do it! Even more puzzling is when I listen to what people are saying then i start rearranging their word order in my head to see how it could be made to mean something different - and I am doing this while I am conducting a normal conversation with them! Shoudl I be worried???

Answer 1

i do this all the time. it is just your thoughts running away with you. especially happens to me when having to make a journey by by foot that i am finding quite boring. your mind needs stimulating even if you dont realise it. it makes you think of some of the silliest things in an attempt to focus on something

Answer 2

i used to do that sometimes, some how now ive completely stopped. i didnt need therapy, i just didnt worry about it or think about too seriously (because i didnt know what it was) it became a bit stressful and tiring, so i decided to generally take less stress, take things easy and learn to completely let go (especially when i noticed i was doing it) and it got better and went it away.
it could be a mild form of mental OCD, its depends if it gets out of hand or becomes stressful then you might need some help.

Answer 3

Are you giving yourself enough credit for what you've already managed to accomplish? If the answer is truly affirmative, then you'll learn to relax and not drive yourself so hard toward the next goal. Have some fun! spend some time on 360 , just click on my picture and then click on the 360 line ...

Answer 4

Check out OCD- I've got it, and it can drive one nuts... counting, repeating, checking, ordering... once you lose the ability to choose- once you are dictated, or directed, and are no longer in control, then it is a problem. Meds and counciling have helped me out tremendously. Suffering is not the only option. I'm on Zoloft, but other SSRI's are also prescribed for anxiety and OCD.
Good luck.

Answer 5

I agree with Amy, it does sound like OCD. If it doesn't really bother you or interfere with your normal routine then it isn't much of a problem, but if you find that it taking up a lot of your time and becoming something you absolutely cannot control you probably should get a little help from a therapist.

Answer 6

Sounds as if you may have OCD. (obsessive compulsive disorder) See a doctor or therapist and get advice and diagnosos from them .

Answer 7

i dont count but i`m very careful not to step on any cracks or lines .i`ve done it since i was a little kid (step on a crack you`ll break your back )and now it`s come a habit .I bet i look like a right weirdo ,but what the heck!!!!

Answer 8

You're normal. Yes, these activities increase with anxiety. It's the minds mechanism that helps you cope.

Answer 9

I do all of those, i also say the words of songs, one word per step i take, its totally normal (I hope)

Answer 10

I don`t do that quite so much anymore, I used to, and watch my feet as I counted, then one day I walked into a concrete lamp-post ! It was not so much that I hurt myself; I just felt such a fool!