Sorry to quote myself but I thought of a question after I posted this. Many people seem to be doubting the OCD diagnosis because of the messy hotel room but we have also heard that she was a neat freak. Those of you that have experience with OCD, is it possible for their compulsive behaviors to change over time? For example, if someone with OCD compulsively washes their hands could they, over a period of time, stop that behavior and start compulsively hoarding magazines or something?
Not sure that this has anything to do with this poor little guy but I would like to know anyway.
You know what... now that you mention it, mine have changed.
I used to have very number and letter related things.
Took every word and alphabetized it. (Sky = ksy)
Put every phone number or plate number in numerical order. (Thread # 7332699 = 2336799)
I don't do that very often anymore.
However, you can also be OCD about SOME aspects of cleaning and not about others.
We have heard that she was obsessive about cleaning the fridge.
We have heard that she didn't like to open the closet because she would have to clean it again.
Have we heard that she vacuumed obsessively?
Or that she constantly picked up the kids toys?
Or really anything that didn't involve wiping things down?
She could be obsessed with cleanliness when it comes to wiping down counters, the walls, the doors, the fridge... *sanitizing* but not as much with picking things up, or putting things away.
I vacuum everyday. As a result of that, I of course also pick up everything everyday.
Mopping? Sweeping? Toilets? Not so much...
The reason being, the carpeted areas are where the kids spend their time. I am more OCD about those being clean.
And dishes??? My Dad can do them in 20 minutes...
It takes me two hours.
I literally organize bowls, plates, plastic cups, glasses *ick* and silverware.
When I load the silverware I put them in evenly... 2 spoons, 2 forks, 2 knives... so they don't touch each other.
The laundry is organized by season, size and color. When I wash laundry I wash everything separately. Pajamas, clothes, towels, blankets, etc.
You know it really is amazing when I start thinking about it... how many things there are. It really doesn't affect me all that much.
The obsessively perfectionist part... that is hard.
I re-read posts many times to check for spelling errors and if I find them after it's too late to edit... they drive me NUTS.
I will redo something over and over and over till 5am until I get it right.
I won't even attempt it if I know I can't do it.
I think I answered your questions... you got me thinking and rambling a bit. This isn't really a topic that comes up a lot.