Fate, karma, coincidence?

[LolaBelle]

Hello to everyone,

I have this "thing" that is hard to explain. I feel that if things in my life are going good that nothing can be changed. I mean small things, like I have to shower at the exact time everyday, use same shampoo, watch the same tv, go the same places, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME or my life will be turned upside down. My family thinks I am a complete freak but I truly believe that. I have some examples of my "crazy" but my question is...does anybody else deal with this or am I truly a freak?

[BobbyGee]

Sounds like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to a degree. Routines can't be broken and if they are, you feel a loss. This is not my forte and would seek someone to talk about this with.

[DevilishOne]

I don't see anything wrong with wanting / trying to keep "your world spinning in greased grooves" (to steal a John Steinbeck/Cannery Row quote) As long as you don't have an problematic OCD type behavior going along with it. Out of curiosity, when things aren't going so smoothly, do you have an SOP protocol of things you do to "right your ship"?

[poocheroo]

You are definitely not a freak ....believe me, I know some (looking at you @H20shed65) and you don't qualify. Your behavior does sound compulsive and I would ask if when you do these rituals do you feel like it relieves stress for you? Perhaps it isn't necessarily when you do these things good things continue but more if you don't do them you feel anxious and stressed and that in turn effects other parts of your life negatively and you may perceive things more negatively. Like a self fulfilling prophecy so to speak. I have something kind of similar and it takes a lot of effort to not give into it.

[TenaciousE]

Hello to everyone,

I have this "thing" that is hard to explain. I feel that if things in my life are going good that nothing can be changed. I mean small things, like I have to shower at the exact time everyday, use same shampoo, watch the same tv, go the same places, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME or my life will be turned upside down. My family thinks I am a complete freak but I truly believe that. I have some examples of my "crazy" but my question is...does anybody else deal with this or am I truly a freak?

I am very similar.

Also, when I go shopping I go through all the items of the same brand to see which has the most "positive energy" before I put it in my shopping cart.

I have had certain items, like dresses or a piece of jewelry that everytime I wore something bad happened.

[Roswell1947]

Hello to everyone,

I have this "thing" that is hard to explain. I feel that if things in my life are going good that nothing can be changed. I mean small things, like I have to shower at the exact time everyday, use same shampoo, watch the same tv, go the same places, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME or my life will be turned upside down. My family thinks I am a complete freak but I truly believe that. I have some examples of my "crazy" but my question is...does anybody else deal with this or am I truly a freak?

I watch a lot of Pro Tennis on Tennis Channel and many of the top players
have a ritual as you describe. Stay at same hotel never walk on tennis court lines etc.
Nadal & Sharapova come to mind.

[calamityjane]

I have the exact same issue as you~My whole world get turned upside down if what I had planned changes~If that makes me a freak, then I own it. Being normal is boring anyway!

And my days are very structured, maybe it's because that is the only thing I can control (normally).

[GoingBananas]

Count me in I like to try to stick to a routine too. My problem is that I almost NEVER I mean maybe 1 on 100 days can get it to work but I think there is nothing wrong with having a plan to work on that helps us become more effective and move toward goals we want to move toward. If we get derailed and feel we have failed life for getting off of it an hour or two that could be a problem. ( For me especially since I am so far behind usually I catch up with myself because I am being lapped. )

[LolaBelle]

Thanks for all of the input, I was diagnosed with depression and OCD several years ago. I didn't realize that this other "thing" was part of the OCD. My depression has not been under good control for about the past year and that has affected the OCD.

[Lucylicious]

Hello to everyone,

I have this "thing" that is hard to explain. I feel that if things in my life are going good that nothing can be changed. I mean small things, like I have to shower at the exact time everyday, use same shampoo, watch the same tv, go the same places, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME or my life will be turned upside down. My family thinks I am a complete freak but I truly believe that. I have some examples of my "crazy" but my question is...does anybody else deal with this or am I truly a freak?

Hey @LolaBelle. I see you've received some good advice already; here are my 2 cents, for what they're worth.

I have a friend who has a similar issue. Have you ever thought about speaking to a therapist about this?? He/she might be able to address the issues that lie underneath and perhaps are causing your need to have everything in your life regimented like this.

I think that a LOT of people have OCD tendencies--I don't consider myself truly OCD at ALL, but sometimes, without any warning, and only on some nights, I find that, in order to go to sleep, I have to first make sure that the drawers on my bureau are all closed, or the carpet is straight, or a pile of clothing is perfectly folded--stupid little things like that--otherwise these things eat away at my mind and I can't relax and fall asleep. This isn't every night, either, but if I start to think about it by chance, I can't stop thinking about it.

Anyway, if I were you, I would try and talk to someone about this. Even if they can't help dig up and address the reasons for what you're going through, they WILL be able to help you try and deal with this whole thing. They will certainly have suggestions. They know a lot more about this stuff than most of us here, for sure! And if you do try and go that route, try and find someone who has a specialty working with OCD. Anyway, that's what I would do

I wish you the best of luck !

[Chancer]

I have been noticing a few OCD traits myself the last couple off weeks, the most obvious one is locking the front door...I have to check at least once that I have locked the front door when I go out and it first it used to freak me out because I thought (I know I locked the door, so why am I checking) but, what does it matter (in my case) so I have to walk up and down tne stairs a few times...that's got help with the stone I put on after my accident. My soon to be ex (who is actually a good man) used to take the mick about my need to have the tins in the cupboard lined up properly, lots of people have routine and some are a bit more obsessive than others, the things you mention @lollabelle seem not too far out their on the scale of obsessional behavior but, I think as long as you don't wind yourself up into a tizzy about it then it's not so bad. If you let people get into your head because you (like to do things your way) you could make it worst so don't sweat it...most people I know including most that don't have OCD have some kind of ritual.....now Im starting to get into a waffle (which is another of my things) so I will stop here.

[cashman1]

This might sort things out -

DSM IV Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Criteria

A. Either obsessions or compulsions:

Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):

(1) recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress

(2) the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

(3) the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action

(4) the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):

(1) repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

(2) the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive

B. At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. Note: This does not apply to children.

C. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person’s normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.

D. another Axis I disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it (e.g., preoccupation with food in the presence of an Eating Disorder; hair pulling in the presence of Trichotillomania; concern with appearance in the presence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder; preoccupation with drugs in the presence of a Substance Use Disorder; preoccupation with having a serious illness in the presence of Hypochondriasis; preoccupation with sexual urges or fantasies in the presence of a Paraphilia; or guilty ruminations in the presence of Major Depressive Disorder).

E. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

My behaviors are more compulsive than obsessive after a review of the criteria.

[LolaBelle]

I know that I am more compulsive over obsessive (I think).

A year ago, my husband and I were going through fertility treatments and everything was going perfect. Our roof leaked and ruined our mattress and we had to get a new one. The next day our treatment ended abruptly, no warning or anything. I know it is crazy but I feel like if the mattress wouldn't have been replaced I would be holding a baby right now.

Also as an example, if I am waiting for a letter and it comes, I will remember exactly what I did that day and will repeat that EXACTLY the next time I am waiting for a letter.

Is this really part of the OCD?

[venuschantel]

Thanks for all of the input, I was diagnosed with depression and OCD several years ago. I didn't realize that this other "thing" was part of the OCD. My depression has not been under good control for about the past year and that has affected the OCD.

Are you on medication for the OCD? I have OCD (mainly compulsive thoughts), and I'm supposed to see a psychiatrist to be evaluated. I'm curious about OCD medication and it's different affects.

[LolaBelle]

@venuschantel Right now I am not on anything specifically for the OCD. In the past I have been on meds that were meant to control both. Sorry I cant be more help.

[teresita]

Count me in I like to try to stick to a routine too. My problem is that I almost NEVER I mean maybe 1 on 100 days can get it to work but I think there is nothing wrong with having a plan to work on that helps us become more effective and move toward goals we want to move toward. If we get derailed and feel we have failed life for getting off of it an hour or two that could be a problem. ( For me especially since I am so far behind usually I catch up with myself because I am being lapped. )

This is almost exactly what I was going to write. I try to be structured stick to a routine but NEVER get it together. I used to be more like @LolaBelle when I was single. Actually I admire that part of OCD, is there a pill to make me that way