I have OCD and one of my biggest problems is when doing the laundry. For some reason when I am sorting the dry items to be washed I have to shake everything inside and out a certain number of times (12 times each side) in case there are hairs, fluff etc on them. I seem to think that if there are any hairs etc on them when they go in the machine they will come out not washed properly. Also when it comes to hanging the wet clothes out on a line or airer I have to repeate the shaking process. I am finding this SO time consuming and am getting very overwhelmed with laundry. Does anybody have any tips/advice that could help me with this problem?
2007-06-14 02:42:29 · 8 answers · asked by Michelle E 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
I understand Michelle, I've had OCD for many years and have pretty much conquered it with lots of help from a Psychologist. You CAN get over it. But I would reccommend you see someone.
When you find yourself doing these rituals, you get that "stressed" feeling in your head that won't go away until you've completed the ritual.
It may sound easy, but one good way of getting rid of it is to just not let yourself go through the ritual. The stress level will go up for a while, but will go away and you'll have "beaten it". When you do this several times you realise that it just isn't necessary. It's a great feeling to "conquer" it.
In your example : you DON'T need to shake the washing. It doesn't matter if there are hairs, fluff or anything else on the washing, whatever the quantity. This does not affect whether the clothes are clean or not. The idea is not to check that there are hairs etc or not, just to say to yourself "even if there are, I don't care". The washing will be fine. Promise!
It matters so much more that you are able to carry on with your life than worry about how good your washing is. So...
ignore it. It doesn't matter.
Once you've got the washing thing conquered, your head will no doubt find something else to latch on to.
The trick is then to recognise that it's OCD (and you know this), and say to yourself each time : "OK, OCD so I'm ignoring it". Nothing bad will happen. Really. You have to allow yourself to be free and not bound to the rituals.
Hope that helps and all the best.
2007-06-14 02:59:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not really sure as I do not suffer from OCD but could you try just shoving the clothes in the machine without checking them (or get a friend to do this whilst you watch) and when you see there is no difference in the end result perhaps it will encourage you to break this ritual
Good luck - I can only imagine how stressful this it to you.
2007-06-15 08:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess one way you could help yourself is by every week or so reducing the amount of times you shake the items to 11 each side, then 10, then 9 etc etc. It will take time, and will be tough but hopefully it will reduce the time it takes to do laundry.
Hope that helps.
2007-06-14 09:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by littlebethan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to go on medication to get help for this, IF you want to change it. I don't see you in any danger here, and if it isn't affecting your daily functioning (as in, if you are able to laugh about it and it isn't a huge waste of your time) then there is no reason to feel like you have to change.
However, there is therapy. It helps you get through the anxiety of NOT ritualizing until you can resist them. You kind of ease out of your current patterns with a lot of support.
IF you think you need it, IF you want it.
2007-06-14 12:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by musicimprovedme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way you are going to 'cure' yourself of this is to work out what the root of the problem is- OCD usually has a trigger event (but not always) and then counselling.
Its nothing to be ashamed of. We all have our little quirks.
2007-06-14 09:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by Libby 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Otter's words are bang-on. Try to find a psychologist trained in exposure therapy. It is essential that the psychologist be trained in this, not any psychologist will do. They can change your life.
Good luck.
2007-06-16 18:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by Webber 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever thought of using a laundry service? They wash and fold everything -- all you have to do is put it away.
2007-06-14 09:55:29 · answer #7 · answered by Stacey P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thought i was the only one. i do it 5 times each.
i refuse to medicate myself so i just deal with it and laugh at myself while counting. (hey, it's better than crying about it, right? lol)
2007-06-14 09:48:59 · answer #8 · answered by ohmy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋