Some years ago a few friends of mine brought to my attention all these"strange" habits I had. Now as an athlete I took these things as just neurotic behavior. Yes I wore the same red mickey mouse socks for all my races, I warmed up the same way all the time, and I even had a special ritual for getting in the starting blocks before each race. If none of this was done I felt lost and usually didn't have my best race. Once I retired, I noticed these things continued into my personal life and at times caused slight disrutpions in my schedule. As an example, I can't go down the can good aisle in the grocery store because I am compelled to straighten the aisle. I have had moments where customers have seen me in the aisle and asked if I knew where other items were. When my response was "I don't know I don't work here," they express a look of confusion like well why are you pulling all the cans forward. So there I would be in aisle 6 explaining to them why I am straightening the cream of broccoli soup cans. I have moments where I eat the same thing all day long for weeks on end, not because I have to but because there is this burning desire in me that won't allow me to eat anything else. I love routines, patterns and puzzles, and I love the number 3. Often times I find myself doing things in 3's. I can't function in clutter, If things are in disarray I can't move, its as if I am paralyzed. My mood gets affected and I have to either lie down or put on music before i can start to organize. My closet is arranged by style, color and item. I am drawn to knots and jumbled cords and can spend hours trying to untangle them. I fold clothes over and over again even dirty ones. I pack for trips at least 3 times before I go. I iron EVERYTHING ( some of my friends know this), I hate wrinkles and can spend all day ironing.
After being diagnosed earlier this year with an OCD I began to do my own research. It was brought to my attention that having an OCD is by all accounts consider a metal illness. For me coming to the realization that I was mentally ill was not an option because in my eyes what I experience isn't a mental illness by MY DEFINITION. No I don't zone out or walk the streets talking to myself ( I do however avoid cracks and lines on sidewalks) or any of the other stereotypical traits associated with someone that has a "mental illness".
I asked what I thought brought on my OCD. After some therapy and self evaluation I realize the triggering factor was STRESS! I would find myself in stressful situations and when I did I would resort to arranging, straightening and organizing things. What I go through on a daily basis has become a natural part of my life and FOR ME it seems NORMAL. I have learned to justify it by saying things like "I am a thinker, I am very analytical, or I am just meticulous." The fact is I see the world in a different light than most people. For me the world is perfectly aligned items on the dresser, wrinkle free shirts and pants, full grocery aisles, clutter free desks, neatly cut hair, carefully arranged shoes, organized individual stacks of paper, and alphabetized DVDs. So when you see someone who is in the grocery store pulling can goods forward and he doesn't have on a uniform.....remember they aren't strange they just see the world different than you do. If by chance its me you see, just say hello and I will meet you at the end of the aisle when I am finish. So go and hug someone that's different today....that very person may be you!
#GET AKB FIT
TEACHING A HEALTHY APPROACH TO A HAPPY EXISTENCE
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