Autistic O.C.D. and burned-out light bulbs

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kx250rider
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23 Nov 2013, 1:37 pm

I guess everyone on the Spectrum has their easiest and hardest issues to deal with, and one of my hardest ones is my OCD over burned out light bulbs. I can't stand it if I notice a burned out bulb… Whether it's in a public place, in the house, or even a small bulb such as on the vacuum cleaner or behind the dial on a car dash board. If I'm in a restaurant and I see a bulb out in a light fixture across the room, I have to switch seats with someone across from me so as not to see the burned out bulb. And yesterday I noticed that in my Tacoma, the bulb that lights up the hazard flasher button on the dash (when the headlights and other dashboard items are supposed to be lit up), was out!! !! I took it apart and located the offending bulb; a very tiny special bulb that comes from the Toyota dealer only 8O ! I had to drive another vehicle to the dealership, and I was horrified to find that they needed to order the bulb from the factory, and I can't have it 'til next Thursday!! !! !! Meantime, I can't drive the truck or I'll dwell on the bulb problem, and that's not safe.

Another example is that I had to give up on putting Christmas lights up on the house, because people would get upset with me for needing to spend an hour at dark every day, patrolling for burned out bulbs on the strings.

Just curious if anyone else has a "bulb OCD issue" ?

Charles



goldfish21
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23 Nov 2013, 2:14 pm

Nope - I do notice them, though, but they don't send me OCD about 'em. The OCD traits & habits I still have I'm consciously trying to break so as not to allow myself to waste unnecessary time and energy on them - even the little things that don't take much time. ie I always rotate dollar bills until they're all face up and put them in order by denomination as well as new vs. old in my wallet. The other day I decided to just put them in denomination order and leave them in whatever orientation they happened to be. Since my symptoms of all types have been reduced drastically, it really was a whole lot easier than I anticipated. I intend to do the same with various OCD rituals until I break my habits of them that take away any time and energy from doing anything else of value & importance vs. the wastefulness of OCD. Sure, it's not lightbulb related, but I figured I'd chime in and share that just in case it gives you a little insight and motivation to break more of your OCD tendencies. Good job on avoiding the light string inspection walk, but better yet would be to put some up and NOT do the walk if you can!


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GiantHockeyFan
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23 Nov 2013, 9:46 pm

Yes my workplace is FULL of burned out lights (probably in the hundreds) and yes it really really bothers me. I have even gone and changed a few even though its not my job. In my small workspace which I am responsible for I replace my lights within literally minutes after they burn out.



rapidroy
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24 Nov 2013, 12:44 am

Those new LED taillights are the worst for progressively burning out prematurely. I notice every burnt out light and aways have to point them out, I am okay as long is they burn out in a symetrical pattern, the hazard light would not be an issue for me unless it was half burnt out and only when engaged. The fall fair can be awful though, so meny pretty lights and patterns on the rides to look at during night time, problem is 3-5% of them always appear to be out.



FluttercordAspie93
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24 Nov 2013, 1:10 am

Funny that you mention it, because just recently, (even after replacing them), two of the light bulbs on my ceiling fan burned out on me... Am I typically bothered by it? No, not really. But it can be annoying...

And just because I feel like it:

Quote:
"Holy mother of Edison! What were you thinking?! You could've broken my bulb!"

--- Lampy, (the Brave Little Toaster).

God, I love Lampy. Image

I can really relate to him a lot...