OCD anyone???

I hate clean up!!! And cleaning Jackfruit is the messiest thing one can do! Yuck!! I tried, I really did!! I used a plastic bag to collect all the skin and etcetera’s. But the sticky sap got into and onto everything! So the post cleaning clean-up was a paaaiiinnnn….! Its only in the middle of cleaning the fruit I remembered that I should’ve oiled my hands and all tools and surfaces beforehand. Duh!! *slaps forehead* Well my excuse is that this is just the second time in my life I have cleaned Jackfruit. Back in India we get Jackfruit already cleaned in the market. In Nigeria jackfruit is a barely known fruit. It’s rarely even seen in the market. How did I get it you ask? My friend, who is also a foreigner married to a Nigerian, has a farm where she has planted it. She very kindly gives me some whenever its harvested.

It was while I was cleaning the jackfruit I had a couple of epiphanies about myself.

The first is, because I hate clean up that’s probably why I avoid getting into arguments or confrontations. Even if I do, I don’t let my anger control my tongue! The angrier I am the quieter I get. Because if you say something in anger, chances are once you’ve calmed down, you’ll either not be able to follow through on the threat or may regret the harsh words spoken. Then comes the apologizing, the grovelling, the making of amends and restitution. All of it is wayyyy too much drama and takes too much effort! Better to keep quiet, right? ;-)

The second is I think I may be a borderline Obsessive Compulsive. My observations:

·         You know those glass rings we leave when we pick up a sweaty or leaking glass or cup? Well I can NOT place my glass anywhere else except on that ring! It drives me up the wall when it goes outside the ring.

·         I’m always washing my hands. While cooking, cleaning…anytime. Basically if I touch anything I have to wash my hands.

·         If anyone or anything touches my nose, I have to rub it. While dusting I keep rubbing my nose till it gets red and painful! And even then I can’t stop.

·         There is a particular way I do things. Before I can change my style, it takes time and effort.

·         I keep my things organised to the point that if I have to direct someone to get something for me I can draw them a map!

·         Clutter makes my brain shut down!

·         While reading a book, if there are grammatical or spelling errors it drives me nuts!!

·         My mind sometimes gets stuck on a sentence or phrase that I keep repeating over and over again, subconsciously. Even once I become aware of the repetition I still can’t stop it.

·         I’m a creature of habit. I like routine. Whenever my routine is disrupted I get irritated and upset. I like to plan my days and chores. If a change is required during the course of the day, I can adjust but it makes me feel disorientated. I don’t like to be caught unawares (except for gifts).

·         I like rules. I don’t like ambiguity. I like structure and discipline.

So what do you think? Do I have OCD?

The best site I found with more information about this disorder is http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml. While reading the information here I discovered one more thing I do compulsively, which is throat clearing. It irritates all the people around me, but I can’t stop no matter how much I try! Now I know why I can’t stop!