I mean beyond being organized? I know someone who writes down EVERYTHING, even things that occur weekly like garbage pick-up and milk delivery. To-do lists, long-term goal list, daily lists, lists for the kids, and post-it's everywhere. Is there something bigger going on here?
She is 35 yrs old, but has kept lists since childhood. It seems to have gotten worse over the last several years.
When she isn't able to write things down she is always asking people to "remind her" of things. She either will not or can not trust herself to remember anything.
2007-01-23 17:50:21 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
She doesn't have a bad memory - she is just too...I don't know...lazy? to remember on her own. I never let it bother me, but other people have mentioned things to me now, so I worry about how it is affecting her other relationships. If it was only me she was driving nuts I could handle it - but it's not just me. Do I tell her?
2007-01-23 18:00:47 · update #1
Smart girl...I wish many times that I had, it would have saved me lots of anxiety over where i put things, what I did or didn't pay, did I take care of that assignment that I had told myself not to forget...I know someone like this, who had eight kids, and always just wrote things down, and then, as he said, didn't have to worry anymore, and could just go back and read up and see if he had done what he was supposed to...good deal, really...it is just a lot of work
2007-01-23 20:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First a disclaimer, I am not a mental health professional so only going on what I have heard about this from others.
The two cases of this I have heard about are both probably less severe then what you discribe. In the first instance, the individual was actually diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - they were so obsessed with the idea of missing an important meeting or forgetting even little things that they were compelled to write everything down in a diary/planner. In the other instance, the person had lost a relative who was trusted and admired for their memory so much that this person then started making notes for many of their "important" things to remember.
I think in most cases, this is not serious, but it never hurts to check with a professional to see if there is some underlying issue going on.
2007-01-23 18:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by gabster_65 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be prepared. You may be shocked to hear my story. Surely there's not two people who do this... My mother-in-law does things your friend probably doesn't do. She uses her "day planner" to log her meds (which is good since she takes so many) but other things are not good. I've seen her notes and she also writes about pettish arguments, logs the date and what "she perceives" hapened which is usually missing a few pertinent things.. (Ex: She logged that she lured my dog into her room with a treat ?!?.) It wouldn't have bothered me but I think in her mind she may enjoy tormenting someone or humoring herself with her notes. She see's everything as a contest and is a poor looser to boot. Also, she makes a BIG ISSUE out of anything. Constantly thinking, wanting, and dreaming about what she wants and how to get it.
She really will forget with the medicine so it's a must that she logs it. She also likes to keep notes about everyones appt.'s and will remind you 3 days early knowing that you don't need reminding. It makes me feel belittled and she seems to show pride in doing it. She's VERY SELF CONCIENCE ABOUT BEING WRONG (HATES IT!! FREAKS OUT!!).
She wants to be "IN CONTROL" of everything and seems to enjoy knowing anything someone else is doing, almost like a paranoid sluth (sp?). It's not hard for her to do since her bedroom looks right in to mine. I think she logs it when I keep the door closed and my comings and goings. Seriously, I'm not paronoid at all. I try to kindness continuously and even care about her but sometimes she wants to pick a fight. It's hard living with her.
My answer may be that a person like this is extremely Self-Concience, Controlling or even Manipulative. You know her best so I'm sure you can pick one of these. We certainly could be talking about total opposites. If it's constant to-do lists, I'm sure you feel like she's not really there.
Maybe she's writing a book! Extremely OVER-organized, pre-occupied people who tend to obsess over things which could be Manic or Obsessive Compulsive. I would like to know the true answer myself. Sometimes it may just be a hard worker. Give her an A- if she's not causing trouble... really...!
Please let me know "what" she logs. I'm curious. Could there be another who practices these rituals?
I hope you can figure it out and hope I helped. I may have showed you a stranger example than your friend.
Truly, it won't kill me. It's just annoying and TOTALLY UNNESSARY...... Uggggg
2007-01-23 22:40:48 · answer #3 · answered by jolakie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She may have an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Or she may be having problems with memory. But to find out exactly what's going on she should go see a doctor or therapist to determine what's going on - if there's a physical or mental basis for the problem if there is one.
2007-01-23 18:50:33 · answer #4 · answered by some_guy_times_50 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old are they? it may desire to intend that they are forgetting on a regular basis projects and writing them down is preserving them on aim. in the event that they seem to be a teenager this could be a persistent compulsive illness
2016-11-26 22:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...You need to convince her to see k counseling.
2007-01-23 18:06:35 · answer #6 · answered by Ithea Nzau 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, she is not killing people in the street, so leave a poor woman in peace. so she has a bad memory. everybody does from time to time
2007-01-23 17:55:25 · answer #7 · answered by jacky 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋