Your lists & list-making habits are making you less productive - Learn how to fix this OCPD symptom!

[@avab6044]

Wow. When you said “lists for repairing broken relationships” that hit home. My mind is so imprisoned by lists I have probably made hundreds of lists where I attempt to organize how I’m going to patch up relationships while rarely following through… Thank you for the useful tips

[@OCPD_support]

Ava B you are very welcome. Everything in this video I discuss is something I've done myself. I am speaking from experience. I have found a way to make list-making work for me. It doesn't preoccupy my mind and it doesn't take up exorbitant amounts of time. There are a million solutions, so you need to find the one that works for you. Giving up list-making altogether is never going to work, so you need to figure out a way to integrate them into your life in positive ways. Learning how to make your lists work for you instead of the other way around is going to be a game-changer. Thank you so much for watching.

[@misstiff2390]

This hit home for me. Anytime I go on vacation I make lists/itineraries for each day. Like if I go to Disney I have my set order for which rides to go on and if someone or something messes that order up I get so flustered. Going on vacation without a list or plan for what we’re going to do is so overwhelming for me.

[@OCPD_support]

misstiff2390 well I can relate to the Disney thing. I'm an old school Disney nerd and I definitely have a good idea of what I want to do when I go there.

[@kelceenelson]

“The Armageddon that follows when somebody loses one of these lists”..😅😂😅😂 omg that hit home, thank you so much for all of your content and for finding little ways to make me laugh at this disorder. It’s a struggle but you help make it manageable!

[@OCPD_support]

Kelsey Nelson thank you so much for the positive feedback. I've been working on launching a new website for OCPD, and as soon as that's complete I'll go back to uploading videos. Thanks for watching.

[@Infrared1967]

Hi Darryl! I'm so glad you validated that lists are still allowed within reason. No way can a pathological list maker just stop. It would be inhumane. You gave logical and doable ways to tighten up the listing process to make it work better for them (and me because I would benefit from making them). I counted at least 15 current, detailed lists strategically positioned across my boyfriend's kitchen counter and desk. Without them he says he can't remember anything--and to move them even an inch used to cause him terrible anxiety. Thanks to your exhaustive efforts to educate us laypeople, my compassion, understanding and patience with his OCPD has grown. You have helped him to trust me and I no longer want to run screaming from him. Seriously, I did, literally, many times. It's maddening to try to love them without the coping skills. He has come so far...and so have I. Thank you so much.

[@OCPD_support]

Infrared1967 wow, thanks for such and insightful comment. I'm sure others will appreciate how your patience has paid off for the both of you. One of the reasons I struggled with minimizing my list making was for the same reason. I would forget important and unimportant things to the point it would cause anxiety. But by reducing the number of lists over time my cognitive functions have improved. Forgetting to do something once or twice is a great way to never forget it again in the future, haha. I don't mention this, but lists can also become addictive because of the dopamine release that comes from crossing off items on the 'to do' list. And this can be one of the reasons that over time list making becomes counter productive. If my videos have helped even a little bit that makes me very happy. You guys are the ones doing all the hard work though. Thanks for watching!

[@capoeiristachik1]

The way I relate to this video is why I’m so certain I struggle with this disorder. This has been my biggest challenge and it holds my life back so much. I do have a hard time seeing how to move past it since I’ve been trying for many years.

[@OCPD_support]

capoeiristachik1 it can be especially difficult as lists do serve a purpose and can be incredibly helpful if utilized in a healthy way. The balance is what is so tricky.

[@capoeiristachik1]

@@OCPD_support I will try some of your tips here to work on balancing

[@Chan-rc2hw]

I used to make lists everyday for tasks that I've needed to complete but I've had to stop because I have found loving up to the expectations of the lists overwhelming

[@OCPD_support]

Chan 2 there is a balance that can be had. My therapist recommended Google Keep to me and it forced me to create more minimalist lists and to organize them in a way that didn't occupy unnecessary headspace. There are other solutions out there as well. If you can live independently of lists, that's fantastic. But if not keeping lists is causing anxiety, it might be worth looking into other options for list keeping that help you to keep them from becoming overwhelming. Thanks for the comment.

[@capoeiristachik1]

I feel you. I threw away my planner in college.

[@AM-wt2ul]

I just discovered you today and oh my, you are amazing. I've been in bondage to lists for decades. Therapy didn't help. I've found a million articles explaining my problem to me, but the "solutions" are always only to talk to my healthcare provider, nothing I can apply in the moment. Thank you for providing tangible ways that I can immediately use to stop, take a deep breath, and try to take a different approach. Even if I choose the smallest, safest option, I'm doing better than yesterday.

[@OCPD_support]

A M thank you so much for the overwhelmingly positive feedback. The important thing in any situation like this is to give yourself plenty of room for mistakes and setbacks. These things take time and will inevitably include failures. There is nothing inherently wrong with lists. The primary takeaway is that your lists should be working for you instead of you being a slave to your lists. Thank you so much for watching.

[@anushreeemusic]

Hi, I had shared about my to do list ocd here and how it was ruining my life. However, I have recently started to manage it better than ever and would like to share it here so that someone may find help from that. I had all kind of lists, from ambitious ones like everything i want to do in my life to the sad ones like what bothered me in a day and how i was ought to behave. Every damn thought had to be written down. I realized how unmanagable it had become and my inability to do a single task from the list. It's just become sort of a diary I dreaded to look at because of the sheer length of it. Coming to what I am doing these days is I have combined all my lists into one and stopped sorting them according to categories. I realize what makes me feel more better is writing those things down than actually getting them done. Not to say I wont get some of those things done ever. But I have decided to trust myself with the fact that those things will be done when they are required to and that I will be reminded of them at that time. I trust my subconscious mind with it. In reality, i fool myself with the fact that i can always go back to the list in case i need to. There are not many many things which require urgency. Most of the things in the list, in fact are trash. So my list is now a dump list. I still have the urge to make the list. I put whatever i feel like putting in the list and then relieve myself from that. It helps me concentrate on the present and makes me feel lighter without the burden of having to look again at the list and getting those done. I hope I made sense. I dont know if other people would also benefit from it because everyone's issues are diffrent, but all i would like to say is you surely can do something about it if you recognized it as a problem and are determined enough to come out of it. Please hang on, you arent alone, you have not lost yet. I would also lile to thank this channel for it helped me understand I had an ocd which I always suspected. My ocd isnt cured, but it's just a step in making it better. I hope, one day i will find courage to delete my to do list forever and never make a new one again. Thank you for reading. Have a blessed life ❤️

[@OCPD_support]

anushri s What a wonderful comment. So helpful to so many I'm sure. I myself discovered, through my therapist, the app Google Keep. It allows me to put all of my list items in one place. But as I can color code them, I can color them according to urgency or category. I would recommend it to anyone struggling to keep their lists to a minimum or if your lists are impeding the ability to live a happy life. Your suggestions and experience are very welcome here. And as always, thanks for watching.

[@anushreeemusic]

@@OCPD_support 🙏😊😊

[@OCPD_support]

@@anushreeemusic ❤️

[@anushreeemusic]

Last night I decided I dint want to feel the way i was feeling because of my 8 year old to do list ocd. I deleted all the lists I ever made. Deleted from the trash bin too. Gonna be 24 hrs, didn't give in to the urge of noting down even one item. Christmas!! Thank you so much God. It didnt happen in a day, of course. But if I can, you too can. Wishing everyone reading this a wonderdul holiday season!!! 🙂

[@OCPD_support]

anushri s thank you so much for your encouraging words. You should be very proud of yourself. Good job and wishing you a beautiful 2021.

[@hafanai]

Thank you for this. I always thought something is wrong with me and I couldnt put a name to it. Thank you.

[@OCPD_support]

Jessica Aquino you are very welcome. I hope this allows you to find some treatment options that will work well for you. Please feel free to ask questions if you have any.

[@eneshzal5767]

This serie looks like quite the essential since the ocpd has broad range of manifestation

[@OCPD_support]

Enes Hızal thank you very much for saying so.

[@chlinkink7433]

Great video. You did great work with the space and lighting. Exceptional. The information is great and your humor was good! Now as for me and lists. Ok. I’m different. I have had an aversion to lists for about 4 years now. I just will not make one. What happened is I often made lists and when I found I kept failing at doing all on the lists, I developed a dread about it. So, I have to make lists in my head. I can occasionally jot something down but it can’t be a ‘list’. For work I will write myself memos.’ I felt so bad when I didn’t complete my list and I suppose it became an obsession that I can’t complete them. I felt like a failure and inadequate. I did try to make shorter lists but then I felt as though I wasn’t listing enough things to do in a day which seemed to me like being lazy or not putting my best foot forward. Occasionally I will try to make a list. I’m working on a new system (🙌🏼 HEYYYY! Can I get a witness for some systems?! 🙏🏻☝🏻) of listing because I think it’s a good thing to do. PS Great shirt.

[@OCPD_support]

Chlink Ink 🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@OCPD_support]

Chlink Ink well you've managed to transition from one symptom into another, so congratulations haha. Not doing something (list making in this instance) due to not meeting your own high standards and the feeling of failure that follows is a pattern I know from experience all too well. Remember, when it comes to list making, it's the maladaptive pattern of behavior that's the issue, not the list itself. It's not necessarily the system that's broken, but how we respond to it.

[@chlinkink7433]

OCPD: My Life In Debris Man, it’s nice to talk to someone that GETS IT.

[@hotairballoonphobia3486]

I feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one who does this :)

[@OCPD_support]

Stevie Nicks well I'm sorry that you're experiencing what you're experiencing, but I'm glad that you feel better knowing that you're not alone.

[@gergskoorb7700]

I've been waiting for an upload! Thanks so much for these. I was legit super excited when I saw a new video. Especially on this topic: I used to have a ton of lists. And then I put them all into one big list. I don't touch it as much now, but it's like an itch I have to scratch.

[@OCPD_support]

Gerg Skoorb an itch I have to scratch is definitely a good way to describe an addiction. I'm glad you consolidated though. Each step brings us closer to the place we want to be with our mental health. And thanks for letting me know that you were happy to see an upload. It feels genuinely great to know that people don't hate these videos. Also, I've just scheduled another video release for this Wednesday. I'm testing out KZbin's new 'premiere' feature. The topic is going to be inspiration. I'll be online from 9:30 to 10am Eastern time on Wednesday when the video goes live to chat with anyone that wants to ask questions.

[@PlayedbyInstinct]

I just made a list of all my current active lists (lists that are updated every day or so). There's 12. Not just to-do lists, but also lists tracking things like past and future expenses, list of all my belongings sorted by room, pantry/fridge inventories, meal plans, etc. Digital/app lists are good cos they are searchable. Also any journaling attempt I've ever made always devolves into making lists haha.

[@OCPD_support]

Elliot James well there's absolutely no hard or fast rules as to how many lists a person should have, so that's the good news. A lot of it really comes down to how preoccupied you are with the lists. For some, balancing a handful of lists allows them to free up some headspace and to let go of compulsive thinking. For many however, list-making becomes the task itself and really negates any perceived benefit they might offer. But at least there's not so many that you can't count them, haha.

[@larissaelf555]

Hello Darryl, I enjoyed this video so much! I am a chronic list maker, have been for a long time. I do not know what that says about me...the biggest problem I have with them is continually moving things from the day’s list to the following day, because it is truly impossible to get through all the things on my list 🤦🏻‍♀️ I know this, and yet I persist. I think you have given me some things to think about. Perhaps I should look at the actual productivity my lists afford (which often isn’t much), and come up with a different system. Or alter the present one. The joy I get from crossing something off my list is so fantastic, though! Lol...anyway...thank you, I think I can try to rethink my process and do better.

[@OCPD_support]

Larissa Elf I completely understand. Believe me I do. I mentioned this in a response to another comment, but there's something I forgot to include in the video and you reminded me of it again, and that is that these lists are also addictive. There's a dopamine release that can happen when we cross off an item. And so over time we increase the frequency with which we use the lists and the number of items we feel we need to include on these lists. This is a big part of why as time goes on the lists become more hinderance than helpful.

[@larissaelf555]

@@OCPD_support Wow! Yes. That makes total sense. Hmm. Much to think about.

[@samcohen2483]

I am a chronic list maker but don't see it as a problem. It helps me keep track of everything while providing structure and order to my schedule. But hey, that's just me.

[@OCPD_support]

Sam Cohen definitely nothing wrong with lists. I use them myself on a daily basis. But I need to control my lists and not allow them to control me.

[@kimb9585]

I have a "responsibility notebook" it has my to do list, shopping list...adulting stuff. But also all the stuff that I'm currently researching...and many times of refiguring my money. I naturally have lists of books I want to read, things I want to do in 2019...still haven't done any of those things

[@OCPD_support]

Kim B I can definitely empathize. Have you been brainstorming ways to cut down on the lists and to become more productive overall?

[@kamilahynas2327]

Oh my god,yes. I tend to do that xD My hubbie always says,make the shopping list for me but,please,do it fast aaand don't add any additional comments next to any items on the list. And I'm like - but,but ... I need to think it all through first ;) Also, I struggle not to add any comments or (un)necessary details xD

[@OCPD_support]

Kamila Hynas if you're interested in an electronic solution that can help to force you to simplify, I'd highly recommend Google Keep. It's free and I've been using it for a while now and it has really forced me to focus on priorities and simplify my list-making.

[@patrss]

That's so weird, I just bought the Mini-DSM-5 for my college mental health class, but it looks exactly like what you showed from DSM-4

[@OCPD_support]

Patrick that is weird. Have you searched online for the current DSM definition?

[@ryanliberty]

😂 I was so glad to hear that "just kidding"

[@OCPD_support]

Ryan Liberty / Mental Health yeah, they're just kids being kids...sort of. They actually did some pretty vulgar stuff behind me. They made editing this video a nightmare. I almost had to scrap it because there was one section I had a hard time editing around because of what they were doing on camera behind me. But at the end of the day, no harm no foul. At least now I can laugh about it. Did you see the dance I included at the end? 🤣

[@ryanliberty]

Yes! haha They were testing you. 😁 I'll admit I probably would have given up. I don't like people to be around me when I film outside so I wait for them to pass. Noise in general gets under my skin. I can imagine the editing nightmare!

[@OCPD_support]

@@ryanliberty I'm the same way. I'm super self conscious filming with others around and I can't focus with the noise distractions. But I'm always fighting my draining batteries and so sometimes I force myself to push through.

[@Bloody-Butterfly]

I have made thousands of lists of things I like, things I want and things like "superheroes over 7 feet tall" and lots of random stuff. Is this obsessive?

[@OCPD_support]

Lorna Miller that would certainly fall under the definition of obsessive.

[@kamilahynas2327]

Hmmmmmm.... me too .......

[@IdlanRafiqi]

I am about to do my assignment and start listing sort of thing to do before start my assignment.. but then i opened youtube to find any song to listen while doing my assignment,, and this video is the 2nd video on my recomended session.. :) HAHAHA Update: The infinite opened computer tabs got me,, i do open TONS of tabs whenever im focus on a topic, but i keep open 1 tab after another if i have a question untill the tabs area become small.. >>> try to learn myself :)

[@OCPD_support]

Idlan Rafiqi that is funny, haha. A couple of tips: Instead of keeping tabs open, I find it much more useful to add a bookmark and to keep my bookmarks organized in folders. Also, if it's not worth bookmarking, I add it to the 'reading' list". Finally, most browsers will allow you to pin a tab by right-clicking on it. This usually will allow you to keep tabs open with the tabs themselves actually being really small. I use this for things I keep constantly open.

[@IdlanRafiqi]

@@OCPD_support thank you sir.. 😂 do you have any video on 'why do i feel i need to read/know everything?'.. is it one of the OCPD symptoms?

[@OCPD_support]

@@IdlanRafiqi it's best to think of OCPD as a filter that all of our thoughts pass through. There is no one set of symptoms that fully align with everyone with OCPD. It is very possible that your need to know everything is driven by a compulsion as a direct result of OCPD. I experience similar patterns of thinking myself. I haven't created a video explicitly about the topic of 'wanting to know everything', but I've touched on the idea in a few of my videos. It's definitely something I could address more in a future video.

[@IdlanRafiqi]

@@OCPD_support Great sir.. i love the "FILTER" mindset.. ok from now on i will stick that to my mind.. love watching this kind of video (to write this last comment, i've deleted like a couple of time to find perfect sentence.. hahaha) 💕👌

[@kamilahynas2327]

Wait, I need to choose a perfect notepad out of the dozens of notepads that I own :D

[@OCPD_support]

Kamila Hynas maybe you should make a list of all of the notepads with a 'pros' and 'cons' column. ;)

[@staybalancedn]

Its hard to rely on paper todo lists, since i use electronic list maker but maybe i should try and start. Anyone have more detail on a workflow for structuring tasks onto cards?

[@OCPD_support]

staybalanced I'm sorry for the extremely belated response. KZbin is just now letting me know about some older comments that they never notified me of. It makes me feel bad to know that some people must have thought I just ignored their comments. I switched to using Google Keep and it has simplified my list-making tremendously. I'd highly recommend it. I don't have any experience with cards, but I would guess that they're not the best way to go.

[@autismenlightenment]

Haha i just told my therapist i want to be less obsessive. Im more into scheduling than listing.

[@OCPD_support]

Autism Enlightenment same rules apply ;)

[@capoeiristachik1]

How did they take it? My therapist didn’t seem to understand the problem

[@autismenlightenment]

@@capoeiristachik1 I haven't had a therapist in oover 2 years now. I fell in love and relocated to a terrible place w horrible options for attempts at therapy. I gave up because asking for help was too traumatic. I've backslide in a lot of ways and now I have a newborn so I need guidance more than ever. I was finally diagnosed w ocpd a few months back when I had my reevaluation for disability. The assessor was like wait it sounds like you have ocpd not OCD and that was the first time anyone was intelligent enough to recognize it. I have autism and ADHD as well so I'm really suffering and have little ability to do anything besides go in circles right now.

[@capoeiristachik1]

@@autismenlightenment that sounds super tough, especially through parenthood. I hope you find the strength to keep going. I know that communication is hard for us and it has made it incredibly frustrating to ask for help. Being misunderstood is a bit of a trigger for me. But I hope we can find some calm to work past it.

[@autismenlightenment]

@@capoeiristachik1 thanks. It helps to know what I'm dealing w so I can recognize when its consuming me but I just feel pulled in so many directions w little time or energy. Trying to prioritize the real priorities but that's easier said than done, lol

[@Ken-S]

ty

[@OCPD_support]

A. Wilson you're welcome

[@susanwilcox5763]

Can OCPD occur on a spectrum? Would some people be worse in their symptoms than others ?

[@OCPD_support]

Susan Wilcox absolutely. There is a broad spectrum of how severe someone's OCPD can be.

[@tbmcnation]

LMAO SHUT UP I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS A VIDEO I CAN NOT STOP MAKING LISTS FOR THE LIFE OF ME

[@OCPD_support]

tbmcnation hahaha, there's a video for everything, don't you know ;)

[@Teaaa12]

I'm just saying, but like a grocery list without having sections of what content they are and where they're found and in alphabetical order is crazy to me. I feel like it needs to be that, or more explained.

[@OCPD_support]

I.Like.Tea.Spill.It.Betch I understand. Believe me I understand. But I can promise you that creating that list is in no way the best use of your time. And the more you practice keeping less lists, over time the sharper your mind will become.

[@kamilahynas2327]

Obviously!

[@kamilahynas2327]

@@OCPD_support But it's so pleasant and comforting :)

[@skaterdude14b]

Wayy too long-winded & filler-filled

[@OCPD_support]

@skaterdude14b thanks so much, that’s exactly what I was going for.