OCD:- Does it differ from type to type?

[inaworldofherown]

I had a discussion with my ISTJ female friend in work the other day. I have this thing, despite my messiness, for symmetry; especially with numbers. Has to be even numbers too. If i count anything i have to either add or take away to make it an even number. I also count when i'm brushing my teeth (though i suspect this might be a fairly common thing anyway) & other ablutionary activities i have to sing the same song when i do these. Now our reasons differ, she & i. For my friend, to not do things like lay cups etc out in a certain way or to make sure the front & back door are locked 50 times means the end of the world. For me it is purely because the symmetry or order feels good. So this is open to whichever type is reading this who has mild to severe form of OCD.

 

[Trebuchet]

What a fascinating question. I have OCD, I am certain, though it has never been diagnosed. Mostly you have described the Compulsion part.

If I don't separate the edges of things in my visual field, or read signs backwards, etc., it will annoy me to the point where I can't think. (I get stuck on the number 5, not so much the even numbers, and if symmetry isn't perfect, I prefer to go with asymmetry.) I don't have any superstitions about bad things happening, though I know some people do. That would be the Obsessive part.

I do obsess, and it is a horrible thing, but for me the obsessions are unrelated to the compulsions. I don't feel as though not giving in to the compulsions will cause the things I obsess about.