Number Symmetry OCD
People would probably be surprised to hear that I have OCD like tendencies, especially since so many things in my life are seemingly random and unorganized. There are some things that I do, which make my actions seem complete, at least in my own mind.
If I am adjusting the volume of a television or radio, I will consciously keep the volume at numbers that end in 0, 2, 5, or 8. These numbers just seem more complete in my mind. If the volume is displayed on a horizontal or vertical bar, I will move the bar to a fraction until it appears to fill a fraction of the total bar into what I consider to be more complete fractions, such as 1/4, 1/3, or 1/2. If the volume is a dial with a line, I will turn the dial so it lines up on 45 degree angles. I can’t give a reason why I think these settings sit better with me. Perhaps there are some complex algorithms being crunched in my head, or maybe I’m just crazy.
These are acceptable volume settings. I have compulsions in other areas of my life too, but this next one no one would ever see.
When I eat small snacks, such as crackers or nuts, I will find myself popping in even numbers at a time and chewing half of them on one side of my mouth and half on the other side. If I happen to grab a handful of nuts or crackers that gives me an odd number, I’ll bit the last one in half and chew it on both sides of my mouth. When eating items with colors, like Gummi Bears or M&Ms, I will pair up colors and chew one color on each side of my mouth. Again, when there is an add number or odd color out, it gets bit in half and chewed on both sides of my mouth.
What possesses me to do this? I honestly have no idea. I don’t always do this either. I will never change the volume on anyone else’s radio or television just to correct the setting. If I toss a handful of foods in my mouth and I didn’t count them before I ate them, I don’t try to sort them with my tongue to wrangle equal amounts to each side of my mouth. I believe the majority of time I am not doing these things, but it’s the times that I do them that I am conscious of my decision to do it and that’s why I remember.
Next week: The Voices in my Head.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
youre crazy
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
Sorry, that’s just crazy… I avoid multiples of 3 as much as 666 for no apparent reason other than it’s pure evil in my mind. Hey ever turn your volume up to 11?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
At least I keep my craziness to myself. I don’t change volume settings on other people’s devices. That’s like going over to someone’s house and cleaning. *Ahem* I have no idea how my food chewing could affect anyone else.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Um..I have no clue what you’re talking about.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
There’s only one true OCD cleaner amongst us, and he is the one who first posted a comment, labeling me as crazy.
July 4th, 2008 at 4:45 am
OCD-ing is a blessing. Everyone should have OCD.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I chew the EXACT same way as you. Same with the volume…must be in multipes of 5. I keep my car volume at 15 and when I like a song, I turn it up to 20. If I really like a song, it goes up to 22 or 23 (25 is too loud) but it KILLS me to have it at 22 or 23. I’m glad I’m not alone and I have someone who’s just as ‘nutty’ as me.