How do I stop this Y!A compulsion with asking & answering questions & trying to make the points even?

Question

Like, I try to keep the points even all the time. I know I have OCD. But this drives me insane. Why can't I just ask & answer questions just like everyone else? Why do I feel awkward when my points, # of total questions, or # of total answers, votes, stars, etc. are #'s I don't like (like # 16, 69, etc.), or also odd #'s? Why do I HAVE to make them even, or else I feel crazy? Can you relate?

Do you have any Y!A obsessions or compulsions?

Answer 1

That's kind of weird, because I do something similar. No matter how long or how short I stay on, I won't leave if my points don't end in 5 or 0.

Answer 2

Hi:  I have a similar problem but much less severe than yours. I suffer from long term depression and have just a little bit of OCD.

I have found the computer in general to be very addicting. About 3 to 4 weeks ago, I had questions about buying a new PC, so I went to YA. Soon I started answering questions, and it is almost like I can't stop. My point score is just over 1000----level 3. Some of my questions are fairly long. Otherwise my point score would be close to 2000.

As I said my problem is not as bad as yours. I don't have to compare # of questions vs. answers, etc. I do have a minor quirk about not liking odd nos. So sometimes at the end of a day, if I am ending on an odd no. I will switch to voting for best answer. This counts as 1 point, so I can move from an 83 to an 84, for example.

I have a friend with very severe OCD, and I always tell him "Thank god you don't have a computer" (His addiction is TV.)

I don't have much advice for you, but sometimes it's good just to share stories with others who can understand. That's why I go to weekly support groups for people with depression, bipolar disorder, etc.

I don't know if therapy is of any help to you. Cognitive therapy allegedly can help with OCD. Probably you know about meds for OCD---anafranil, luvox, prozac, zoloft, paxil and celexa.

I wish you success.