Okay...
Addressing to your main problem, about the counting, have you ever heard of ocd? Obsessive compulsive disorder, it is excatly what you are describing, which I would know because I have it myself. It can become very serious, which in my case I couldn't even function properly in public because I was so overcome with all these patterns, and would get so stressed out if I didn't do it correctly. Is there a reason you do it? Most people do it because they are afraid if they don't something bad will happen, and try to do them because they believe it can keep them safe, or from their 'fear' comming true. But people dont always have the same reason for doing it. I took on treatment, I went through many different medications, finally got put on something strong and started to get better, but later decided medication isnt for me, and now I just deal with my anxiety, and ocd without the help of medication. You should look into maybe therapy, or medical treatment. Have you thought about maybe just not doing those things? And if you don't do them, what are you afraid of happening if you don't? Im here to talk and share with you all the knowledge I know, and experience with this very difficult and frusterating disorder. Good luck, feel free to message me : )

Oh also, don't be afraid to put your foot down and tell your doctor you want to get tested for something. Its better to be safe then sorry, so why not just get tested, so thats something you dont have to worry about!

There is no reason that I know of on why I do the things I do. I have no fear of anything. And I have tried stopping it. But for some reason when I try to stop it drives me even more nuts to not be able to do it. Its just something that I feel I have to do. I have been doing this since I was a kid. I dont know how old I was at first but its been a long time I know that.

I cant sleep at night as well. I am an insomniac. I toss and turn all night long for no reason. And sometimes counting helps me out. I will look over at my digital clock on the bed stand and just count the slashes on it til I fall asleep. I dont know that thats my reason for doing it all the time like I do. But it does help me sleep. Alot of the time I will lay down in bed around 10 or 11 pm. And not fall asleep til anywhere from 1-3 am....And its hard since I have a little girl who gets up at 8 am.

But I really dont have anything to worry about for it to be my reason of counting.

But I do know that when I dont do it. My mind knows that its not doing something like usual and I drive myself nuts. I have a very complex mind. I can do alot of weird things lol. I can sing in my head while talking to someone and still know what im doing. I can also while singing in my head and talking to someone..I can think about things at the same time. My friends think im a nut. But I just think im a bit gifted to have all things capable of being thought inside my head at once.

I will however talk to my doctor about it. See what he has to say. I always seem to have some kind of damn problem to talk about. My doctor and I are comfotable together. We joke around and stuff. I like him as a doctor. I think hes really good. He seems to know everything about me when I give him my symptoms. He was joking one day when he asked me if I came with a warranty since im always having problems.

But thats besides the point. I will talk to him. I was gonna call today to make an appt. But if im gonna go in for a colonoscopy soon I wanna wait til next month when my hubby comes home. So I know he can help with watching the kid. Plus I will need someone to dive me home since they put people under for a colonoscopy.

Thank you for your input. And maybe I will hear back from you. And have a good day!!!!!!!!!

About your jaw. =d I have had the same symptoms for my jaw too. Sometimes its okay to open but other days the pain is unbearable. I went to the doctors and it just turned out that my mandibles (lower muscle near jaw or something) was inflamed. He gave me some medication, I took two a day and by 3 days the pain that lasted me about 8 months was over. Hope that helps?

And its real frustrating cause its soo insignificant I get annoyed that I spent the time to do it, and if I realize im doingg it I go ahead anyway, the only reason I had for it tho is I got some massive adhd