The Psychology Behind Always Feeling Like You Forgot Something...WTH
Lately when I get into the car in the morning I feel like I am forgetting something. In my home I feel like I forgot something. I lay down for bed at night, and I feel like I forgot something.
The problem is I am not forgetting anything, but of course I spend the five minutes making sure I have my purse, and my wallet, and work badge. I check the doors, the stove, the alarm, but nothing. Everything is as it should be, so what the hell is the problem.
Is This OCD?
Is this the beginning of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) setting in? Is this what anxiety feels like? I remember growing up my mom would almost compulsively check the stove, and the doors and windows, multiple times every night.
Now as a mom I too check everything, but I have the help of technology to assist. Don't get me wrong, I am not checking everything multiple times, but I seem to be having my own version of crazy setting in. So what gives?
A part of me think this is "normal", a word that I hate. I dislike the word normal because it feels like it really boxes people in. Be this way or act this way, because if you don't then something is wrong with you. You are abnormal, and who wants to be that?
What Is OCD and The OCD Cycle?
So in order to put my self at ease, and self diagnose, I did some research. Obsessions are those repetitive, non productive thoughts that we all have from time to time.
Many people may experience this when heading out on vacation for example, worrying if you locked the doors, or if you unplugged an iron. You may obsess to the point that you turn around to go check and put your mind at ease.
Compulsions are the repetitive, non productive behaviors. OCD causes a great deal of anxiety, but an anxiety disorder does not necessarily cause OCD.
About 3% of the population will experience OCD at some point. Men and women experience it equally. Women tend to obsessively clean, while men tend to obsessively check things. It also tends to run in families.
What's my diagnosis? Well since I am self-diagnosing, I think it is stress with a touch of anxiety and a sprinkle of OCD. It is a coping mechanism. Honestly, after reading the articles, I do not think I truly meet the criteria, except with my hand sanitizer addiction. But hey, that's just good sense. Am I right?
All jokes aside, mental disorders are serious and can negatively impact our lives. I have added a link for more information on OCD.
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman
