Counting once and over again
Another possible compulsive behaviour in these patients is counting, which can be adapted to many things, even some we have already talked about. For example, they may need to count the times they wash their hands before leaving the bathroom. Counting compulsions are repetitive tasks of whatever nature that should be performed a number of times. Otherwise they would not be satisfied, and the thought would be kept in their minds that they have not finished what they started.
These patients are often fixed for one given number, and they count every action they make trying to match the number every time. They may even smoke an extra cigarette, not because they really want to, but trying to complete the number they are always aiming at.
In most cases, these patients perform this counting compulsion without even noticing as in counting the steps or counting the number of cars or people passing by. They may also do this in their mind or aloud for everyone else to listen. In this regard, counting becomes a secondary compulsive behaviour that contributes to another, as in people who have the compulsive behaviour of washing their hands, and the secondary compulsive behaviour of counting the number of times they clean all around their fingers.
In some cases, counting becomes a source of extra fear, apprehension and obsessive thoughts. There are patients who believe certain numbers are bad luck and they would die of severe disease if they keep staring or stay in contact with this specific number, so they do whatever it takes not to match the said number in their daily counting. As illogical as it may sound for anyone else, it is a structured thought and makes perfect sense in their minds to the point of becoming distressed and angry if they are unable to fix the problem.
