About Counting OCD
Counting OCD is a specific subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) where individuals experience intrusive thoughts or obsessions that are associated with the need to count objects, actions, or specific events. People with Counting OCD feel a compulsion to count in a particular way or to a specific number to alleviate anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. These counting rituals are done in response to the obsessive thoughts, and they provide temporary relief from distress, but they reinforce the cycle of OCD. The counting can take many forms such as:
- Counting physical objects: Such as counting tiles on a floor, the number of steps in a staircase, or how many items are in a room.
- Counting actions: For example, counting the number of times they touch a doorknob, blink, or step on a particular surface.
- Counting thoughts or words: A person might need to count specific thoughts or repeat certain words a specific number of times in their mind.
- Counting based on a pattern: Sometimes, the counting has to follow a specific pattern, such as counting in a sequence of threes or fours or following a certain rhythm.
