Cleaning / OCD & Meltdowns

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I really hate cleaning the windows of my flat, as I am unable to do it without obsessing and having to have it completely perfect.

Whenever I do this or painting my walls, it's like my brain gets extremely distressed (typical OCD style) and I find I dread having to clean my windows.

Does this resonate with others?

Chris

A little bit. When I do clean I tend to go overboard. Then again OCD traits do run in my family. Actually my cousin has OCD and AS.

It resonates somewhat. I am extremely fastidious about cleaning anything, be it dishes, walls, floors, my body. I can not stop until it's spotless and perfect. It would really irk me when roommates would "do" dishes, and leave them all grimy and/or spotty. And then complain when they saw me re-washing them. I wouldn't have to if they knew how to clean! I just can't stand the sound of vacuum cleaners…

I once cleaned an oven for something like 10hrs, I even unscrewed parts of it to get to parts I couldn't reach like behind the fan - we have a different oven now [we rent and had to move] this one I haven't cleaned once because it was not taken care of before we moved in and I know I wont be able to get it as clean as I like so I have never cleaned it even once - all or nothing.

Part of it is because if I do something I like it perfect but another part of it is although alot of the time I can barely seem to start some tasks, once I do get on certain tasks I also can't seem to stop. I either seem to totally under do some things or over do them - it can be two strong extremes.

Also it does then make me avoid doing somethings because once I get stuck on not stopping it certainly looses it's fun or can seem a bit like torture.

Thank you everyone who responded.................most likely I shall dream of cleaning windows tonight, but take comfort that I am not alone.

Peace

Chris

Ugh, I had an OCD meltdown earlier today. I was walking back from a friend's hosue shortly after it stopped rainning. And since two houses are going up on that street, it was all muddy. I didn't realise until I was nearly at my courtyard that tthe mud had somehow splattered all over my dress, jacket, and arm. I paniced and ran home as fast as I could. I aboslutely hate it when my clothes get dirty. And the worst part is that the jacket is white, so who knows if the mud's coming out of it... It cost a lot of money, too.

No - exactly the opposite: I do not care about dirt. I just even recognize dirt at all - it just it does not exist for me, except it is so obvious, that even I can't overlook it.

Yes I know how you feel Chris

not only does perfectionism bite at my heels but also the worry of all the polution in the dirt Argh just think of all the lead etc that was in that dirt that is now on the cloths and clothes and in your skin (I hope you wore gloves!)

I dont wash the outside of my windows as I cant stand the chemicals/metals contamination, I will pay someone else to do it when I move. I wash the inside every few months as it gets mouldy but I cover myself completely, use gloves, then put the clothes to wash staright away and throw any sponges or cloths I ve used. I normally repaint the window sill as it never gets clean enough with just washing

lol we are so funny !

Thanks Lotus..............always nice to hear from you.

My Father is exactly the opposite from me, in that he is a hording, where as I am a scrubber......however, the same underlying neurology (and to some extent psychology) is there.

I don't have a 'contamination thing', it's more of a symmetry or 'just so' thing. I feel better today, but the last week have been very OCDie.......at times I have felt the muscles surrounding my jaw contract & squeeze in unison with my over-alarmed brain.

I know that the stress of recently hearing the tory plans to 're-vitalize' my council estate (this means pulling my block down and replacing it with homes for the rich) has been a contributing factor in my OCD, as such anxiety make me feel out of control and vulenerable.

Wishing you all well out there

Chris

Oh no, I hope they change their minds on redeveloping your estate, how stressful

((((big hugs))))

p.s I always thought you were a scrubber

love it...ha ha ha.................

love it...ha ha ha.................