Compulsive obsessive

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 2:51 pm

I have a compulsive obsessive behavior- I need to wash my hands at least 45 to 50 times a day! After I touch anything, especially after shaking hands, tie shoe laces, take out the garbage cans, blow nose, even wash steering wheel , shift lever, door handles, after car has been valet parked, etc. Somehow I got stuck with this obsession in my head after reading Frank Lloyd Right would not shake hands with anyone for fear of germs. (I'm working on trying to slow down the compulsion) :wah:

Does anyone else here have any compulsive obsessive behaviors?

Cars :driving:

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:14 pm

CARS,

Some medications might help.. !!

HOWARD HUGHES, HAD THE EXACT SAME COMPULSION..!!

Don't your hands hurt after washing them that many times..?? I know it was a brave thing to tell us about this, so we are here for you.

Maybe finding something else to do with your hand would slow down the complusion(now keep your mind out of the gutter). Hobbies, flower garden, cars (real dirty work). I really don't have any complusions, no time to do anything twice.. barely get them done once..

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:18 pm

I have to check and re-check the locks on my house and car. I know I just locked the damn thing, but I have to keep checking, just to be sure. I don't do it 50 times but at least 3 or 4. Does that count, or am I just extra-cautious?

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:34 pm

cars wrote: I have a compulsive obsessive behavior- I need to wash my hands at least 45 to 50 times a day! After I touch anything, especially after shaking hands, tie shoe laces, take out the garbage cans, blow nose, even wash steering wheel , shift lever, door handles, after car has been valet parked, etc. Somehow I got stuck with this obsession in my head after reading Frank Lloyd Right would not shake hands with anyone for fear of germs. (I'm working on trying to slow down the compulsion) :wah:

Does anyone else here have any compulsive obsessive behaviors?

Cars :driving:
I used to be the same Cars, thankfuly i managed to stop hand washing as much although i do find myself slipping sometimes, to compensate i try not to touch certain things door handles, escalator/handrails, anything really that many other people have to use so i always have plenty of tissues on me.

Reading BR's post also strikes a note with me, when i take mine & mums dogs for a walk & put them in the car to come home for some reason i check & then re-check over & over all the way home that they're actually in the car, i know they're their i just have this irrational fear of leaving them behind. :-5

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:39 pm

CARLA wrote: CARS,

Some medications might help.. !!

HOWARD HUGHES, HAD THE EXACT SAME COMPULSION..!!

Don't your hands hurt after washing them that many times..?? I know it was a brave thing to tell us about this, so we are here for you.

Maybe finding something else to do with your hand would slow down the complusion(now keep your mind out of the gutter). Hobbies, flower garden, cars (real dirty work). I really don't have any complusions, no time to do anything twice.. barely get them done once..

Yes Carla hands get chapped, put lotion on them only to wash it off again, and again!

Like Abby said I'm working on trying to not touch things that other people touch, so I can slow down the washing. But it's tough when you really think about everything that people touch all over the place. :wah:

Cars :driving:

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:42 pm

tmbsgrl wrote:

I am not sure if this counts but i am a neat freak! My towels can only be folded a certain way. It aggravated me when Tim fold them messy.

My wife is the same way, only "One" (Her) way towels can be folded.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:44 pm

Cars, when posting here does the urge to wash go away? I remember an earlier post from you saying you were alittle depressed but coming here helped? How long have you done this & will medication reduce the urge to wash hands?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:48 pm

I've got this thing about specks of lint etc. on a dark carpet. I just can't ignore them and walk on, I've got to pick them up or get out the sweeper.

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:51 pm

Paula wrote: Cars, when posting here does the urge to wash go away? I remember an earlier post from you saying you were alittle depressed but coming here helped? How long have you done this & will medication reduce the urge to wash hands?

Paula, My PC is only touched by me, so I am basically OK with that. I have been washing hands excessivly for about 6 or 7 years now. Sometimes it gets worse than others. Medication to stop washing hands?? I like coming to the Garden, really don't have to wash hands after that!

Cars :driving:

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:56 pm

cars wrote: Paula, My PC is only touched by me, so I am basically OK with that. I have been washing hands excessivly for about 6 or 7 years now. Sometimes it gets worse than others. Medication to stop washing hands??

Cars :driving:

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)---It covers a wide range of compulsive actions and is sometimes treated with drugs. My sister is a hair puller and has a little bald spot from twisting and tugging at the same spot on her head.

LottomagicZ4941 · Post by **LottomagicZ4941** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:00 pm

I'm a little obsessive about brushing my teath but that is a good thing.

I'm not like doing it 10 or 20 times a day.

Just after each meal or if my teath feal placky which happens about 4 hours after eating if for some reason I do skip brushing.

I'm also obsessive about leaving busisness cards on the boards around town.

Lotto

http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344

MagicZ4941A

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:17 pm

I don't wash quite that much but I do wash a lot to stay healthy. I never

get colds so I'd much rather wash than be sick! And if you've ever watched

one of the tv news magazines, a lot of them have done reports on the

bacteria on stuff that would make you gag. Especially grocery store carts!

People who sit diapered little kids in them!

If I have to push open a door to a store I do it with my arm. And never use

the handrail on an escalator.

I wash a lot so I don't transfer stuff around. Raw chicken or something.

My hands aren't chapped at all, I only use stuff on them at night. Cars,

try getting some glycerine and mix it about 70/30 with water. Really

cheap. (If you don't feel like mixing, it's in Cornhusker's lotion I

believe!) And if you're really brave, put some vaseline on your hands at

night and a pair of old socks over them. Very attractive, I know, but it

WORKS, dangit!!

:yh_dance

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:36 pm

Bag Balm works really good too. Originally made for cows udders...I know, weird...but the stuff works!!

Also, as far as touching stuff...I learned this the other day, maybe someone here will have heard it, and maybe Cassie can prove me wrong, (Should have checked the validity of this), but you can take ANY one dollar bill that has been in circulation for at least a year and it will test positive for cocaine.

Now I'm going to go see if I am right... :yh_wait

OKAY! Snopes.com says that 4 out of 5 bills in circulation now will test positive for cocaine. Sheesh, that's a lot! :yh_doh

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:55 pm

You're right about the bag balm, BR! Forgot about that one.

And I had heard that years ago about the dollar bills, didn't realize it

was still the case!!

:yh_eyebro

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:20 pm

I have a thing for money. It must all face the same direction, be in order from smallest to largest, etc. The first thing I do when I get to work is start facing all the money the same way. My co-workers know this is an obsession of mine and will not try to face them all the same way.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:09 am

Peg wrote: I have a thing for money. It must all face the same direction, be in order from smallest to largest, etc. The first thing I do when I get to work is start facing all the money the same way. My co-workers know this is an obsession of mine and will not try to face them all the same way.

Peg I do the same thing to. It helps me when having to pay for something, knowing the 1's, then 5's, 10's, 20's. If item is $2 get two 1's in front, if item is $17 get 20 from the back. Never get bills from the bank larger than $20. Don't like to have to cash a $50 or $100 bill for a $17 dollar item. :guitarist

Cars :driving:

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:10 am

cars wrote: I have a compulsive obsessive behavior- I need to wash my hands at least 45 to 50 times a day! After I touch anything, especially after shaking hands, tie shoe laces, take out the garbage cans, blow nose, even wash steering wheel , shift lever, door handles, after car has been valet parked, etc. Somehow I got stuck with this obsession in my head after reading Frank Lloyd Right would not shake hands with anyone for fear of germs. (I'm working on trying to slow down the compulsion) :wah:

Does anyone else here have any compulsive obsessive behaviors?

Cars :driving:
Cars.. Im certain you know this already..but it might help..Our bodies have bacteria that destroys bad bacteria we come in contact with.As a matter of fact..

Agood friend of mine,a doctor in Virginia told me that we are setting ourselves up for trouble. Using all of the anti bacterial products that have been developed. Hand soap, dish soap etc... Not necessary, and actually make your hands too clean. Ive worked "in the dirt" for many years now....never a problem. I have never "caught a cold from someone else. If you have a strong immune system you have nothing to fear.. under normal circumstances of course.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:34 am

weeder wrote: Cars.. Im certain you know this already..but it might help..Our bodies have bacteria that destroys bad bacteria we come in contact with.As a matter of fact..

Agood friend of mine,a doctor in Virginia told me that we are setting ourselves up for trouble. Using all of the anti bacterial products that have been developed. Hand soap, dish soap etc... Not necessary, and actually make your hands too clean. Ive worked "in the dirt" for many years now....never a problem. I have never "caught a cold from someone else. If you have a strong immune system you have nothing to fear.. under normal circumstances of course.

Thanks weeder, I heard about the anti-bacteria soap, so I just use regular hand soft soap. I have no problem working in the dirt either, I just have to wash my hands the minute I'm finished with the job. I am bad though, I even carry a pocket bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket and am constantly using it after touching public things. :wah:

Cars :driving:

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:46 am

I used to make lists.

7:30 Wake up

7:35 Have coffee

7:45 Have shower

8:05 Brush teeth...

If it wasn't on the list I couldn't do it unless I added it and adjusted all the times accordingly. If I fell behind schedule I would get panicked. If I got ahead of schedule I would wait until it was time for the next thing to happen. It was a desparate attempt to feel in control of my life. I dealt with life in segments. Before work. At work. After work. Luckily, the at work part didn't require a list as I answered the phone all day and had scheduled breaks already laid out. I stopped wearing a watch as part of my "therapy" and found ways to deal with feeling out of control. It was rough for a while though. I still like to make a list of things to do but there are no times or sequences attached to it and if it doesn't all get done I just carry it over to the next day. These things can be overcome.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:01 am

koan wrote: I used to make lists.

7:30 Wake up

7:35 Have coffee

7:45 Have shower

8:05 Brush teeth...

If it wasn't on the list I couldn't do it unless I added it and adjusted all the times accordingly. If I fell behind schedule I would get panicked. If I got ahead of schedule I would wait until it was time for the next thing to happen. It was a desparate attempt to feel in control of my life. I dealt with life in segments. Before work. At work. After work. Luckily, the at work part didn't require a list as I answered the phone all day and had scheduled breaks already laid out. I stopped wearing a watch as part of my "therapy" and found ways to deal with feeling out of control. It was rough for a while though. I still like to make a list of things to do but there are no times or sequences attached to it and if it doesn't all get done I just carry it over to the next day. These things can be overcome.

Thanks koan, I used to live by lists to. But now that I'm "retired" for 4 whole days now, I am trying not to plan out every thing to the unth degree anymore. Sort of let the cards fall where they may. That might not be the right thing to do, but I will find that out over time. Time of which I now have plenty of! I am sort of just coasting right now, wating for February 11 to roll around. On the 11th, we are going to Florida for "3" months. There I plan to golf, fish, speed walk, sight see, take cruise to Bahamas, visit friends, and do so not to any list or in any order! You know, the best laid plans of mice & men, hope it sort of works!

Cars :driving:

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:19 am

hey cars...let me know when you'll be speeding through my county! :driving: what was that tag number?

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:59 pm

lady cop wrote: hey cars...let me know when you'll be speeding through my county! :driving: what was that tag number?

LC, when I will be Speed "walking" in Florida I won't have a tag number!

Cars

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:13 pm

Could that be posting for 18 hours straight without using the rest room? OMG. :yh_worshp I worship my forum more than my husband? I better buy the sex machine?

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:52 am

Key Check, I have an absolute phodia about being locked out of my house or car. I check and re check my pockets and purse over and over before leaving either. And stupidly I have never been locked out of either so have no idea how stressed I would get if I were to be locked out of the car or house.

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 6:24 am

minks wrote: Key Check, I have an absolute phodia about being locked out of my house or car. I check and re check my pockets and purse over and over before leaving either. And stupidly I have never been locked out of either so have no idea how stressed I would get if I were to be locked out of the car or house.

minks, Years ago I parked my car at work, got out locked the door with the key. Then I proceeded to put the keys in my pants pocket. Somehow I missed my pocket slot, and the keys fell onto the ground. Low & behold, I looked down and there I was standing on a sewer grate that had 2" x 4" rectangle slats.

I watched in horror as the keys were swollowed up through the grate, and then finally after a few seconds made a splash sound. Well I had to call my wife to come 36 miles with my spare set of keys. After that, I always have a spare key in my wallet.

About 5 years later, I got out of a different car with the engine running to throw out some trash, when my coat sleeve got stuck on the door lock, pushed it down and then the door closed. This time I was prepared, I took the spare out of my wallet! :wah:

Cars :driving:

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:41 am

Cars you got the best car stories, OMG imagine getting caught up in your car door and not having a key to spring you loose what a dreadful thought.

I am absolutely panniked about my keys. Guess it comes from a couple things, a uncaring and nasty ex who would not likely come to my rescue and now being on my own, I can't afford to be stranded. Ahahahahaha but your story tops all.