What stood out to me was how often we think of OCD as just the classic hand-washing or counting rituals. But honestly, there are so many quirky symptoms that can feel really isolating. I’ve had my fair share of strange OCD quirks, and I figured it might help to share a few of them. Who knows? Maybe someone else will relate.
One of the weirdest things for me is the way I feel about numbers. I can’t really explain it, but certain numbers give me this uneasy feeling, almost like they’re off-limits or unlucky. For instance, if I see a number I don’t like, it’ll stick in my mind, and I’ll feel this compulsion to “neutralize” it by doing something silly, like touching a specific object a certain number of times. It sounds kind of absurd when I write it out, but in the moment, it feels like a necessity.
Another quirk I have is the way I arrange things. You know how some people like everything to be neat? For me, it’s not just neatness; it’s about symmetry. If I’m in a room and something feels “off,” I’ll spend way too long rearranging objects so that everything is perfectly balanced. It’s like my brain can’t rest until it’s just right. Sometimes, I’ll catch myself staring at a table, trying to decide which way a vase should face until I feel that little sense of relief.
And then there’s the whole thing about checking. I mean, who hasn’t forgotten if they locked a door or turned off the stove? But for me, it’s like this endless loop. I can check something, walk away, and suddenly feel this overwhelming urge to check again. I’ve tried grounding techniques to pull myself out of that cycle, but there are days when it just feels easier to give in to the urge.
What really helps, though, is talking about these quirks with friends or even in forums like this. It’s comforting to hear that others share similar experiences. Have any of you felt like your quirks were just too weird to talk about? Or maybe you’ve developed your own little rituals that bring you comfort? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts about it. It really does help to know we’re not alone in this!