Is it normal that i count letters in words i hear or see throughout my day?

57% Normal
13 Comments

All day everyday I am counting the letters in words I hear or see. Separating the words into fragments. Even and odd numbers. Sometimes I count the words in a sentence. Ex: in the shower a shampoo bottle sits on the shelf and I can't resist counting all the letters shown on the front of the bottle and adding them together for a total. WHY? It's actually a bit exhausting sometimes!

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57% Normal
Based on 46 votes (26 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • urrichxub
    11 years ago

    I have OCD and do something somewhat similar to you. When I see words on signs, on commercials, on books, etc., in my head I repeat the words in very specific pattern. For example, if I see a sign that says "Call now for a free trial" I say it in my head like this:

    Call now for a free trial

    Lairt eerf a rof won lac

    Lairt eerf a rof won lac

    Call now for a free trial

    That might not even make sense to anyone. Basically, I can say any word backwards. It's quite annoying and can be exhausting!

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    • SoNotNormalGirl
      11 years ago

      Actually that's kind of impressive. I know what you mean about it being exhausting though.

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      • urrichxub
        11 years ago

        I have had OCD for as long as I can remember. I'm 34 years old and never told anyone about it until five years ago. The few people I have told are always impressed with that "quirk" of mine.

        How long have you counted letters? Is there anything else you do? Have you been to a doctor? =)

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        • urrichxub
          11 years ago

          Actually I'm 35 -- today is my birthday! ;)

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  • BabyOnBoard07
    11 years ago

    Well, i find myself doing the "Counting objects thing, but not Everday, and with everything... Eg. When i'm at the Train St waiting for my train, and i see a group of birds flying together' I have to count them in pairs, its always in pairs though, but if they were to be an odd number' Like 9 birds i would try to avoid it. I think i may have developed a little of OCD" but, not to the point where its full on. I just understand that some people are different, special, unique in every way, and there is an understanding to everything :) The world is balanced. My guess is, it is normal, and we all have it from time to time, wether we are aware of it or not. It was from your post that actually made me realise that i actually do tend to do what you do at times... its only as abnormal as you think it to be..... Just Smile =)

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  • coolio75650932
    11 years ago

    suck my dick (count that asshole)

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    • SoNotNormalGirl
      11 years ago

      what a loser.

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      • coolio75650932
        11 years ago

        why thank you i try very hard to lose weight :3

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  • chocolateaddict
    11 years ago

    Sounds like OCD like something that you dont really want to do in your head, but you have to do it to feel better.

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  • welkinson
    11 years ago

    I don't usually do that, but sometimes i do weird things like touching my bottom to my top teeth in a rhythm or my thumb to my fingers. I think that thing i do might be a little weird.

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  • NotFloydzie
    11 years ago

    I used to do it all the time. I don't like numbers, but I like words. So I tried to mix them together just to be a good sport. I love crosswords as well. You can always try that out and make your own.

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    • SoNotNormalGirl
      11 years ago

      I like words also. Not numbers. And I do crosswords. Maybe that is why I started doing this.

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  • dappled
    11 years ago

    I don't do it ALL the time but I do that thing where you look at a number of objects (whether it's blocks or words in a letter) and try to know how many there are without counting. Comes in handy for crosswords.

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