Is this quirk that freaky?

Question

In times, I used to throw lots of paper sheets into the bin.

And in order not to occupy too much space, I started folding paper... tearing it... and finally throwing it into the bin...

Since those times, I developed a strange quirk.

Very often I grab a piece of paper and I fold (and unfold) it, or I roll (and unroll) it.

I can't stay a very long time without doing this...

I often pick fliers in public places to 'satisfy my quirk'...

Very few people have made remarks to me about this, and no one has ever made a big deal out of this.

But my mother says this is abnormal, and I should see a psychiatrist.

Do you think this is that sick?

Answer 1

Bah, I wouldn't worry about it. If it interferes with your life, then you can be concerned, but a weird habit is nothing to worry about.

When I was little I would tear paper into the smallest bits possible. Nowadays, I play with straw wrappers in restaurants. Rolling, folding, etc. I think it's because our brains like to stay busy!

Answer 2

Everyone has quirks. This one isn't harmful to you or anyone else, so don't be too worried about it.

But, if you want to stop it so you can be more 'normal' I have some advice. First, is this a compulsion? Are you unhappy if you can't do it? Do you feel unsatisfied until you do? Or, is it just something that you enjoy doing?

You might want to carry around a piece of paper with you so you can fold and unfold it in public without having to pick up fliers off the ground.

You could also try a mild form of punishment. Keep a rubber band around your wrist and snap it whenever you get the urge to fold the paper.
You could also hold your hand in a tight fist when ever you get the urge. Hold it for fifteen seconds, and then let go. If it happens again, make a fist again.
Keep a journal of how many times a day you do this and how many times you can hold off doing it. Record the information first for three days to get a baseline, and then start the rubber band or fist-making procedure and continue recording. be honest with yourself.
If after two weeks there is no difference in the amount of times you do this, try something new.

Answer 3

If things that you do 'stop you from doing' things that you NEED to do, if these 'things' are effectively 'getting in you way / tripping you up, etc,' then they are not something to really get you into the psychiatrists treatment room.

I've got this 'thing' about 'counting things,' trying to get a 'balanced even number,' which sometimes gets to be a pain and can stop me from paying attention to whats being said (especially on TV). But it is something I can control, IT does not control me. And therein is the important difference.

Sash.

Answer 4

It's a bit OCD, but a very mild one.. It will be time to seek help if you start to realise that you can't do other things until you have done this. If it is just something that you do when you have idle hands, it's not a big worry, we all have nervous energy.

Tell your mother that I said you need to seek help, but not over this, you need help because your mother is not at all supportive or helpful.

Answer 5

tell your mother that u are part of a vampire cult thats finds redheaded virgins to drink their blood. and that you saw elvis in the fridge once, talking to your dead uncle about the stock market and how it would effect the sale of chickens in Australia. then tell her that you saw bigfoot in the basment once, using the belt sander. Then tell her that messing with paper is the least of her worries, laugh like a crazy frog in heat, and waddle like a duck out of the room

Answer 6

its pretty freaky but if its not affecting your life, i wouldnt say you need help. LIke if you start staying home to tear up paper instead of going out without your friends.... or you really spend a lot of wasted time of your life doing it

Answer 7

Honey,she's your mother,what did you expect het to say?It's their job to guilt-trip into the nearest therapist's office! That said,in the great scheme of things,your little 'quirk"is nothing to worry about

Answer 8

It's not sick, just a little OCD. Quirky/annoying, but not sick.

A lot of bad mothers want their kids in psychiatry. It's probably her criticism that has you stressed, and doing the little OCD thing you do. Tell her to get help if she won't be supportive.

Answer 9

OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or "rituals") which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.

Answer 10

I could find something else to do with my hands and to occupy my time. Like being on Yahoo answers. LOL