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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mrgeek on August 21, 2005, at 20:52:23
My mom has an odd habit, which has been going on for at least 2 years, of not being able to use things until completion. Examples of this:
Replacing the toilet paper/paper towel rolls before they are complete.
The freezer has about a half dozen bags of french fries, each with a small amount left in them.
Likewise for bags of chips in the cupboard and bottles of soda in the refrigerator.
And these are the only things that I'm able to observe, I'm almost sure the habit extends into other areas as well.
My question is, what kind of behavior is this displaying? It certainly doesn't seem normal, but I'm not sure how to classify it.
Thanks a lot
Posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 21, 2005, at 21:29:54
In reply to Is this OCD?, posted by mrgeek on August 21, 2005, at 20:52:23
I keep an open pack of cigarettes in my truck,in my car, in my saddlebags on bike,in my office and anywhere else that i might be. I dont like to use up one pack before i open another. That is probably just my fear of running out somewhere. I dont know what else it could mean with food but i'm no expert.
Posted by Joslynn on August 22, 2005, at 9:36:36
In reply to Is this OCD?, posted by mrgeek on August 21, 2005, at 20:52:23
Did she grow up during the Depression? That would explain it.
I think OCD had a repetitive nature to it and has to interfere with everyday life to be considered true OCD, but I am not sure.
Posted by Dinah on August 22, 2005, at 10:02:22
In reply to Is this OCD?, posted by mrgeek on August 21, 2005, at 20:52:23
It doesn't seem like OCD. Maybe it's just pickiness. There's nothing more annoying than having to change a roll in the middle of wiping. The last frozen french fries are often the small thin ones that slide to the bottom of the bag, and may be freezer burnt. Chips go stale or get dampish if you live in high humidity. And pop goes flat.
But has she considered throwing out the old packs? It may seem wasteful to her.
And have you asked her about it?
Posted by Shortelise on August 22, 2005, at 12:19:09
In reply to Is this OCD?, posted by mrgeek on August 21, 2005, at 20:52:23
Have you asked her?
Maybe cleant he fridge and say, hey Mom, I thought I'd clean the fridge, and I wondered about the bags with just a few fries left? And the pop bottles, etc. What should I do with
them? If she says to leave them, offer to put them all into one bag, or point out that they are freezer burnt - wherever the conversation goes, you might make an effort to be very kind and patient.The best way to understand other people's behaviour is to talk about it, ask with sincere interest, no judgements, no criticism.
Maybe you've tried this already, but if not, in a gentle way, you might want to give it a go.
ShortE
Posted by alexandra_k on August 22, 2005, at 23:37:24
In reply to Re: Is this OCD? » mrgeek, posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 21, 2005, at 21:29:54
i am a compulsive keeper of cigarette papers. whenever i go out (for more than 5 minutes) i have to take a new pack with me (in case i run out). i end up with all these half empty packs. then i say 'i really need to be using these up now' and have to take... about 10 packs with me incase they all decide to run out at the same time. whats up with that? a new pack of papers is like 80c and they aren't that much of a scarce resourse lol! but i still just can't bear to throw them out. in case i run out. then i'd be kicking myself. but i'm not ocd though i might just be a little odd ;-) unless... theres something that people aren't telling me :-0
Posted by alexandra_k on August 22, 2005, at 23:38:25
In reply to Re: Is this OCD?, posted by alexandra_k on August 22, 2005, at 23:37:24
and don't even get me started on toilet rolls...
Posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 23, 2005, at 0:54:00
In reply to Re: Is this OCD?, posted by alexandra_k on August 22, 2005, at 23:37:24
"TAD" Tobacco Anxiety Disorder. :)
Posted by alexandra_k on August 23, 2005, at 3:27:13
In reply to Re: Is this OCD? Alex » alexandra_k, posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 23, 2005, at 0:54:00
:-)
Yeah... Or a sign of nicotene dependence...
Posted by jadah on August 23, 2005, at 16:47:30
In reply to Re: Is this OCD? » mrgeek, posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 21, 2005, at 21:29:54
clinically speeking, your mom is anything but OCD. Maybe ADD.
This is the end of the thread.
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