Always checking everything, do it so many times in a day

[Ocean_breeze]

Good morning,

I need help, advice. It’s taking over my daily life activities. I find myself constantly always checking on everything, whether that’s checking the window is shut x3 times or checking the history / Facebook history etc on my phone. I have fear if I don’t do this something bad will happen. It’s like an every day thing I do it when I wake up and do it when I go to bed and 100 times during the day. If I go to a different place during the day besides home I make sure I do it there as well because it’s a new environment. Whoever I am with at the time I get moody cause they will be trying to talk to me and I need to like finishing what I am doing ( without speaking ) it sounds crazy, I know it’s crazy. I just don’t know how to stop!

Its making when I go outside todo activities very hard.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Ocean breeze,

I really feel for you. The constant checking sounds very draining and debilitating, especially as it disrupts much of your daily life & social interactions.

I wonder if maybe the repeated checking gives you a sense of “safety” and control. As you said, if you don’t follow a strict checking routine, you fear something bad will happen. So I wonder if maybe checking gives you a feeling of security in a world that can otherwise feel unpredictable and chaotic...

Now, I hope it’s okay if I give you a gentle suggestion. I would gently encourage you to consider seeing your GP (if you haven’t already) and asking for a long appointment. You could explain to him about the checking compulsion, fear, etc. S/he might want to write up a mental health care plan for you if they think that is appropriate.

The care plan would entitle you to a certain number of Medicare rebatable psychologist visits. If your GP doesn’t mention the mental health care plan, you could ask him/her about it. That’s my little suggestion for now, & you can decide how you feel about that idea 🙂

I think you’re very brave to open up. Also, I’ve seen a number of posts here by people who struggle with debilitating routines of constantly checking something. So there’s a lot of real understanding here...

I hope when and if you feel up to it, you might like to return to let us know how you’re doing. Or even to vent and chat is great too. That being said, no rush or pressure to write more than you want to. That’s entirely up to you 🙂

Kind and caring thoughts,

Pepper

[Fielder]

Hi Ocean Breeze. What you're describing sounds very familiar to me - a bit from myself and a lot from an ex. I think it is definitely a good idea to see a GP. They might be able to help you more than you might think.

I do not exactly check, but sometimes I feel a very strong anxiety that if I do not stop doing something - like listening to a recording or being in a crowded place - something terrible might happen and I could lose my mind. It is easier from a distance to appreciate that tgat is probably not true, and I think you and I would probably be much happier if we were able to not believe that feeling and not check or not try to stop an activity. A GP should know about professionals that could help getting us there.

[gloria10]

Hi! Ocean Breeze (great handle btw),

I can understand what you are dealing with. While mine has been mild, I have definitely gone through times where I was constantly checking that I had turned off the oven, hair straightener, locked my doors on the way out and so on. Sometimes I was close to missing the bus as a result.

Even as a child I noticed that this happened without knowing why; it was just something that I had to do.

What I found really helpful, was speaking with a psychologist. She was able to offer advice on ways to reduce checking and what might be causing it. I have found that I don't do it nearly as much anymore. Have you considered talking to a counsellor?

I really hope it gets better for you.

Gloria 10

[geoff]

Hello Ocean breeze, and a warm welcome to the forums and from what you have told us is something that I was definitely concerned about and I know exactly what you have told us just as those above me have replied back to you.

I can't diagnose you as I'm not qualified, but as I've done this myself for many years I've been told by my doctor/psychologist that I have OCD, checking and re-checking is what happens to me and feel so sorry for you.

Can I please suggest you book an appointment with your GP so that you can get them to diagnose you.

It's easier for you to understand your condition to realise that it's not your fault that you have this illness, but please if you could get back to us.

Geoff.