Obsessive-compulsive disorder comes in many forms
About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Compulsive counting is a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with counting compulsions may count because they feel that certain numbers have a special significance, and therefore specific actions must be performed a certain number of times. For example many people with OCD feel that the number four is especially significant, and will therefore do things in sets of fours. For example if they smoke one cigarette, they may feel a sense of incompleteness unless they smoke three more. So they will count the number of cigarettes to be sure they have met the numerical goal.
Typical types of counting in OCD
- Counting items
- Counting footsteps when walking or running
- Counting aloud
- Mentally counting things in one's head
- Counting numbers on devices (i.e. on a digital clock, the run time on the DVD player while trying to watch a movie, etc.)
People with counting compulsions may also count without thinking about a specific number. They might count their steps when walking, count tiles on the ceiling, or count cars driving past. The counting may be mental or aloud.
People with counting obsessions do not always have a reason for counting. Even though someone who has contamination fears often knows their washing concerns are overboard, they feel usually feel there is a chance the fear is somewhat based on reality. With numbers, the OCD does not always activate because it is worried about a certain outcome. Often taking 4 steps within say one block on the sidewalk, or looking away from a clock at a certain number may just feel right, rather than be driven by fear. Often people with OCD will have a primary subtype, i.e. sexual obsessions, but will have the numbers as more of a secondary problem. In cases like this, it is not as stressful or intrusive.
People with OCD may count when doing routing activities throughout the day.
Even though OCD is often illogical, many fears seem very logical in the mind of the sufferer, with seemingly very clear events leading straight to why a fear is valid and true. Unless very severe, adults with numerical obsessions usually realize there is no basis to the number fears (unless perhaps driven by religious fears over evil numbers, e.g. 666 — the number of the devil). Nonetheless, number fears can enter the mind and say, "Look away from the clock at 12:11 or your family will die of cancer." Maybe the mind said 12:11 because when you add the numbers it comes out to 4 and just feels right. In a case like this, the OCD sufferer will say to themselves, "That is ridiculous," but then the OCD will say “Yes, but just in case look away at this time." If the person looks away at a bad time, the OCD may pester to keep looking until an acceptable number is found. The person may even have to make a choice. The OCD can say, "Look away at 12:56 and your family will die of cancer, but look away at 1:07 and you will go blind." One may then choose the 1:07 time just in case, to protect ones family, but will still be dealing with the fear of going blind. In this case they might take the blind sacrifice for their family, or spend a lot of time looking until a suitable look away number can be found.
Although a person with OCD may realize this is just the OCD, they continue to count or heed specific special numbers "just in case" and why tempt karma. These cases add up greatly with OCD, and reinforcing the checking just makes the OCD stronger, Which is why a sufferer may eventually become severe and consumed with counting rituals all day. If numbers are secondary to other OCD concerns, these fears atop of a brain that already is overtaxed can be the final straw.
Getting Help for Counting OCD
Counting compulsions can be hard to beat using willpower alone. The more a person tries not to think about something, the stronger the thought becomes, leading to more counting rituals. A therapist with much experience treating counting OCD can help suffers overcome this form of the disorder using exposure and ritual prevention (ERP).
FAQs
Counting OCD is a common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by a strong urge to engage in repetitive and ritualistic counting behaviors. People with Counting OCD may count to achieve a state of feeling “right” or “good” and to avoid the anxiety of something feeling “wrong” or “off.”
Why is counting a symptom of OCD? ›
Counting OCD is a common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by a strong urge to engage in repetitive and ritualistic counting behaviors. People with Counting OCD may count to achieve a state of feeling “right” or “good” and to avoid the anxiety of something feeling “wrong” or “off.”
How to treat counting compulsions? ›
Below are four methods for how to stop OCD counting.
- Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy.
- Postpone It for Another Time.
- Change an Aspect of Your Ritual.
- Try to Get Off the Loop.
- See Which Method Works for You.
- OCD & CBT.
If you're concerned about repeatedly counting in your head, it may be a sign that you have OCD. Counting is often a compulsion that someone with OCD uses to decrease distress related to any number of intrusive thoughts. It may be that the numbers themselves have specific significance, like “good” and “bad” numbers.
Why do I always count to 4? ›
People with counting compulsions may count because they feel that certain numbers have a special significance, and therefore specific actions must be performed a certain number of times. For example many people with OCD feel that the number four is especially significant, and will therefore do things in sets of fours.
Is counting OCD serious? ›
In some cases, it can severely interfere with someone's ability to perform basic functions, as counting-based behaviors can consume their time. While OCD compulsions like counting can feel like they help ease anxiety and stress in the short term, the ritual can keep the OCD going longer.
Is counting OCD bad? ›
Counting OCD may occur due to trying to block an intrusive thought or in response to an obsession. People with counting OCD tend to spend much of their time focused on numbers and counting, which can impact their ability to focus and function in their daily lives.
What is an example of counting compulsion? ›
Examples of OCD counting include counting steps, how many times a person blinks, tiles on a floor, or items in a room.
Is counting OCD or autism? ›
There is overlap between behaviors seen in children with OCD and the ritualized/repetitive behaviors commonly observed in children with ASD. Children with ASD may perform repetitive or ritualistic behaviors, such as ordering, arranging, counting, or touching/tapping.
Does OCD get worse with age? ›
There's currently no evidence that OCD gets worse with age for everyone. OCD symptoms can vary in severity over time. They might improve, get worse, and then improve again. OCD is unlikely to get better without treatment, but only a minority of people experience worsening symptoms over the course of their lifetime.
If one is using the definition of neurodivergence to describe a difference in brain functioning than what is typically viewed as 'normal' or 'neurotypical'–then yes, OCD would classify as neurodivergent.
What are the four levels of OCD? ›
While all types of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include a pattern of obsessions and compulsions, the obsessions or intrusive thoughts themselves can take on different themes. OCD manifests in four main ways: contamination/washing, doubt/checking, ordering/arranging, and unacceptable/taboo thoughts.
Is counting an ADHD thing? ›
Obsessions can take many forms: repetitive words, thoughts, fears, memories, pictures. Compulsive behaviors, such as hand-washing, counting, checking, or cleaning, are performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away.
What is magical thinking in OCD? ›
Magical thinking most often involves a belief that thoughts or actions can cause or prevent harm, like knocking on wood. You think that you'll prevent something bad from happening, even though you know there's no rational connection between knocking on wood and any future danger.
Is OCD a disability? ›
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can also clearly meet ADA's requirements as the condition can substantially limit one or more major life activities. In fact, OCD is listed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a disability that qualifies for Social Security disability benefits.
What do OCD and ADHD look like? ›
Individuals with ADHD may exhibit inattention, lack of impulse control, and risky behaviors. OCD on the other hand. is characterized as an internalizing disorder, meaning individuals with OCD respond to anxiety producing environments by turning inward.
Why do people with OCD count their steps? ›
Is constantly counting your steps a sign of OCD? Counting is a rather common compulsion among people with OCD. It could serve the purpose of fulfilling a “just right” or perfectionistic desire. For example, walking may simply feel “off” unless you do so in sets of four.
How do I stop OCD counting rituals? ›
Letting time pass and becoming distracted by other thoughts and feelings can decrease the urge to ritualize. As time goes by and your urge to ritualize diminishes, you will gain a sense of perspective, and with that perspective comes a greater sense of self-control.
What is the OCD pattern of walking? ›
Compulsions performed by people with Just-Right/Perfectionism OCD focused on walking may include: Stopping frequently or pausing for long periods of time. Slowly retracing their steps. Touching/tapping their feet to balance out or feel okay.
