Check things over and over again

Making sure everything is right can be a good habit. However, some people have the habit of checking things over and over again. For example, you have locked the door of your house and left for campus or work. However, in your head, you are not sure whether you locked the door or not. Finally, you come back again to check the door lock. This can be done up to five times, or more, the same morning.

Or you've used a clothes iron, but again you're not sure whether the iron has been turned off or not. You also go back and forth to check the iron many times.

There are still many other examples that describe cases of people with the habit of checking things many times. Not that his memory is weak, you know. People with this habit usually have a pretty strong memory and are fine. Then why did this habit emerge? Here's the explanation.

Why do I keep checking back and forth on something I've done before?

If you only occasionally check on something that has actually been done, it's still natural and nothing to worry about. What you need to worry about is when you have done it too often, and it will interfere with your daily activities and life.

For example, every morning you have to go back and forth to the house to check if you have turned off the stove. As a result, you always arrive late to the office. Even when working in an office, you are still haunted by negative thoughts whether the stove at home is still on. You find it difficult to concentrate and work productively because you are too busy imagining what will happen if the stove explodes or a fire breaks out.

These examples are called obsessive compulsive disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a psychiatric disorder characterized by irrational patterns of thought and fear (obsession). These obsessions encourage you to engage in repetitive (compulsive) behaviors.

When you try to ignore or stop your obsession, you only get more stressed and anxious. Ultimately, you feel compelled to take compulsive measures to relieve stress. Even if you have a compulsive ritual (repeated checking) and it can temporarily reduce anxiety, you should still do the ritual again when the obsessive thoughts recur and you can't stop them.

Understand the causes of OCD

In order to understand why you can check over and over again for something that you are clearly doing right, you have to first understand how OCD happens.

The exact cause of OCD is not fully understood, but studies show a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors play a role in the development of OCD.

Biologically, OCD may be the result of changes in chemical function or the function of your own brain.

From genetic factors, experts suspect that there are certain genes that make a person more susceptible to OCD. This gene can be carried in the family (passed down). However, until now the specific gene that causes OCD has not been determined.

In addition, environmental factors can trigger OCD or worsen OCD symptoms. Such as violence, changes in life situations, infectious diseases, death of loved ones, changes or problems related to work or school, and problems in personal relationships.

What are the symptoms of OCD other than checking things repeatedly?

OCD symptoms include obsessions and compulsiveness. However, you can only have obsession symptoms or just compulsive symptoms. You may or may not realize that your obsession and compulsiveness symptoms are exaggerated or unreasonable, but they take up a lot of your time and interfere with your daily routine, social functioning, or work.

Obsession symptoms

• Fear of dirt or being contaminated by germs
• Fear of hurting others
• Fear of making mistakes
• Fear of being embarrassed or behaving in a way out of society
• Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts
• Everything must be orderly and symmetrical
• Doubt that is excessive and requires constant reassurance

Compulsive symptoms

• Shower or wash your hands repeatedly
• Refusing to shake hands or touch doorknobs
• Repeatedly inspecting items, such as keys or stoves
• Always count when doing routines
• Continue to arrange variety in certain ways
• Eating food in a certain order (for example, from smallest to largest food size)
• Haunted by words, pictures, or thoughts, which cannot go away and disturb sleep
• Repeating certain words, phrases, or prayers
• Need to do the same thing several times
• Collecting or hoarding items with no clear value

OCD usually starts in adolescence or young adulthood. Symptoms generally start gradually and tend to vary in severity. These symptoms will get worse when you are under stress.

OCD is usually considered a lifelong disorder. You may have symptoms that are mild to very severe and can take time to cripple your daily activities.

If you are experiencing OCD symptoms, which is checking repeatedly on something that has been done already interfering with your daily life, immediately check with a therapist, mental health specialist (psychiatrist), or a psychologist. Certain therapies and drugs can help you control your urge to check things up tens or hundreds of times a day.