OCD Checking

Frisco

New member
Hey
just quickly
i will elaborate more on it later on but i think i have the 'checking' ocd, like i will go check the dogs water bowl to make sure it is full with water (even though i just filled it 5 mins ago), i check on average prob 3 or 4 times, then i check to make sure i turned the tap off, i prob check that about the same ammount of times as well. Then comes the back door, i can easily check to make sure i locked it (and test to make sure it's locked) about 10 times on average, same with the garage doors and the door leading to the garage from the house, and the window in the kitchen i check a few times before i leave to make sure its shut and off. Next all the switches and lights, i make sure all the switches possible (toaster, kettle, iron, lights) are off and everything is unplugged, including taps (bathroom sink and kitchen sink) then i do a quick walk round the house checking everything inside (including doors) to make sure its all off, unplugged, locked and shut. When i leave the house (finally) i check both the screen and wooden front doors 3 or 4 times on average to make sure they cannot be opened once locked. Then i check the side fence to make sure it's shut and cannot be swung open by the wind (only check that once though, but i must check it).

How bad does this sound in terms of your OCD or OCD that you know.
and does anyone have any tips on how to deal with it.
Thanks heaps everyone
 

texas123

Member
Hey, I check stuff constantly. It really really sucks. I was going to a psychologist for a while for OCD but I don't have enough money to keep going to him right now. But he bascially told me to kind of have the mind set that if you did leave something on, who cares, or if you left the door unlocked who cares. Because the anxiety of "oh my gosh did I lock the door" tends to lessen. But do make sure its locked. Like I know the door is locked but continue to check it over and over. Its stupid. But if you calm down and take a breath, maybe step away from the door or light switch. And just tell yourself, "hey the light switch is off, theres no need to flip it on and off a few times." Because nothing bad is going to be caused from not fliping on and off lights. But I'm not a doctor and I don't know the next step of the therapy. I think it is a part of CBT therapy. Maybe. I'm not sure though.
 

slimjim119

Well-known member
Frisco said:
Hey
just quickly
i will elaborate more on it later on but i think i have the 'checking' ocd, like i will go check the dogs water bowl to make sure it is full with water (even though i just filled it 5 mins ago), i check on average prob 3 or 4 times, then i check to make sure i turned the tap off, i prob check that about the same ammount of times as well. Then comes the back door, i can easily check to make sure i locked it (and test to make sure it's locked) about 10 times on average, same with the garage doors and the door leading to the garage from the house, and the window in the kitchen i check a few times before i leave to make sure its shut and off. Next all the switches and lights, i make sure all the switches possible (toaster, kettle, iron, lights) are off and everything is unplugged, including taps (bathroom sink and kitchen sink) then i do a quick walk round the house checking everything inside (including doors) to make sure its all off, unplugged, locked and shut. When i leave the house (finally) i check both the screen and wooden front doors 3 or 4 times on average to make sure they cannot be opened once locked. Then i check the side fence to make sure it's shut and cannot be swung open by the wind (only check that once though, but i must check it).

How bad does this sound in terms of your OCD or OCD that you know.
and does anyone have any tips on how to deal with it.
Thanks heaps everyone




It's hard to determine how bad someone elses OCD is. But it sounds similar to alot of the checking that I will do. And it really stresses me out. It may only get worse. Try to delay or "put off" checking things and divert your mind to something else. Then you may forget what you were going to check in the first place. An idle mind can make OCD worse. Therapy and self help books may be something you may want to look into.
 

Frisco

New member
thanks heaps for your replies guys, i definately will try them, i'll let you know how i am coping in a few weeks, thanks heaps again :)
 
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