3 ms·
One of the manifestations of my OCD is that if I hit a bump on the road, something as simple as a manhole cover that’s a few millimeters different in height or
by t-writescode 7y ago
One of the manifestations of my OCD is that if I hit a bump on the road, something as simple as a manhole cover that’s a few millimeters different in height or less, or if I spy someone emerging into my rear view mirror that I didn’t expect, or if someone is hiding behind a pole and I suddenly see them in my peripheral after passing them, my immediate and inconsolable thought is that I’ve hit them.
To deal with it, I’ll do a lap around that spot to make sure I didn’t hit them. That lap can result in other bumps that I then have to make sure I didn’t hit anyone during.
This can repeat for a very, very long time.
To deal with it, I have a front and rear dashcam that I can go review the footage after I park.
Of course I haven’t hit anyone, but the fear and stress that I might have is debilitating and can be for an hour.
The dashcam allows me to review footage later; or, more often, calm myself long enough to think rationally and recognize what has happened as a moment of OCD and move on.
- Fnoord 7y agoThis appears anxiety related, with indeed the dashcam helping to cope with this specific occurrence. I don't know which other issues you have regarding anxiety, but you might want to look into a more global solution. If its only with regards to dashcams, then (depending on your demographics) avoiding driving in Austria is likely a better solution. Full disclosure: My previous diagnosis was GAD. Now I have an autism diagnosis. I use medication to feel less agitated and nervous. These work, for me, though also force me to zoom in less. YMMV.
- t-writescode 7y agoI'm diagnosed with OCD and have many of the symptoms for it. It tends to stay relatively low-grade and not life impacting, so long as I do the thing I said here. When it gets out of hand, I need to remember to follow through more with what this book told me to do: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Lock-Twentieth-Anniversary-Obsessive-Compulsive/dp/006256143X https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Lock-Twentieth-Anniversary-Obse... That's the one my therapist had recommended. I try to avoid medication, but that's a personal preference. I do hope you the best on your journey! edit: removed a word that made my sentence mean what I didn't mean for it to mean.
- Fnoord 7y agoHey, though my comment was meant to be genuine I can, on reflection, understand that my comment got you angry. It did not occur to me that OCD could be a separate diagnosis even though I knew it is a specific ICD. Thanks for the book tip, I've added it to my list (I'm interested in related symptoms to [my] autism and some other PDs.)