Example Essay

   For years myself and my friends have noticed that I have displayed small idiosyncrasies about certain things in my life. Over the past ten years these idiosyncrasies have transformed more into obsessions that I can't seem to break. My family sees me do these odd things, like check three or four times to make sure that I've turned something off, or put the cover back on something, and they are used to it. But when others notice, I laugh and say "Oh, that's just my touch of OCD" and they laugh, and all is forgotten. I know it's not a laughing matter to those that suffer greatly from this disorder, but it is my way of taking the attention off myself. Honestly, they think I am making a joke , but in reality it's the truth. I do believe that I have a "touch of OCD" and here are some examples why.
  Thinking back, the first time I noticed that I was acting a little out of the norm, we were camping at a remote site that friends and I and my daughter used to frequent often. This place is set 13 miles back in the woods and a four wheel drive truck is necessary for access. We were running low on ice and nearing the end of our stay. All of the coolers were strategically placed in the shade to avoid losing any of the precious cold stuff that is necessary when camping. I remember walking to the coolers and pushing down on each cover to make sure they were closed tightly. I then went about my business, satisfied that nothing else could be done to prevent more ice loss. Five minutes later, I find myself back in the shade checking each cover again, knowing that I had just done this very task. Throughout the rest of our camping trip, I obsessed over those coolers. If I saw someone even near them, when they left I would have to go check to make sure they were all closed tightly. 
  I also have a "touch of OCD" when it comes to making sure that my truck is locked. It was my daughter who brought this one to my attention, and she is correct. Every time that we go shopping; the grocery store, mall, and even the movies, I have this overwhelming fear that I haven't locked the truck correctly. I make sure that everyone is out of the vehicle and doors are shut, then I push the lock button. The truck honks at me and flashes its lights, telling me that the job is done, but after about 20 steps away I want to push that button again, just to make sure. I even have found myself making up excuses to push it. Well, maybe that was someone else locking their vehicle at the same time and I heard their horn, or maybe the button isn't working right. I have even tried locking the truck, walking around to check each door, then zipping my keys in my purse and telling myself, "it's locked you stupid ass, now leave it alone!," but I still had the tugging urge to dig the keys out and lock it again.
  It's most noticeable to me and my family when we are leaving for a vacation. This year for example; I made a list of everything that I needed to do at the house before leaving, like unplugging appliances and locking doors and windows. I thought that if I made a list and checked off things as I went I would feel more at ease being able to see that I have checked them off and they were done. So not true! An hour after diligently finishing my checklist, I found myself, list and pencil in hand, going back through each step and checking them off again. Even after all of that checking and rechecking, I still asked my daughter while on the flight to Florida if I had unplugged the water heater.
  Even as a teenager I was known as the worrier in the group, making sure that we had a plan for what ever adventure we were headed on. Maybe all of the craziness started back then, the need to make sure that everything is done and done correctly. So far, my little idiosyncrasies don't have much of a negative impact on my life. (maybe just a little annoying to my family) I don't believe that if I were ever clinically tested that I would be diagnosed with OCD, so for now when someone notices, I will continue to just laugh and say "Oh, that just my touch of OCD coming out."