Cleaning rituals and OCD

[Slambeth]

I have OCD and it started when I was in high school. I started off counting and repeating certain words a certain number of times in my head and I would also imagine typing those words. Then it progressed into cleaning rituals and having to have everything perfect. I can't stand it when something gets messed up like footprints on bathroom rugs, water drops, touching doorknobs, I vacuum everyday, and disenfecting everything. I follow my husband around and pick up after him and I can't stand it when I don't have time to complete all my rituals every day. I know they don't have to be done but I can't not do them. Is there someone else out there that has similar symptoms and if so how do you deal with them.

 

[Liz17]

I tend to do things in fives which is really annoying and hard to shake of. I count to five with almost everything i.e cleaning my teeth, each motion is in five's. And I cant sleep unless I know that Ive checked everything several times. When I know Ive turned the fire of or the gas knobs I still repeat the action. Its quite annoying. Im sure cleaning up after everybody all the time doesnt give you a minute to relax.