I never paid much attention to neat people other than to notice that they
annoy me more than an unscratchable itch. It’s even worse when they decide
to perpetrate an attack of neatness upon my messiness. It really screws up my
world and makes me non-functional.
I’ve worked with OCD types before but I always tried to
avoid their influence. Mostly I’ve been successful at keeping them at bay.
A few years ago, in a complicated way, I hired one of
these OCD people as my assistant. Somehow we have learned to work well with
each other. I rely on her OCD tendencies to keep me on the right path. She
relies on my messiness to ensure her job.
Day by day I began to recognize the idiosyncrasies of an
OCD possessed person. I didn’t like them, the idiosyncrasies that is not the
person, but I could spot both in a flash. I can’t say that I paid any more
attention to the OCD possessed people than I did before, but I was certainly
aware of the phenomenon when I encountered it. And encounter I did.
Just last week I was home early enough to be watching
some of those judge shows I love. You know the ones. The people are just short
of Jerry Springer guests and posses just as many complaints, both fiction and
non-fiction.
On Divorce court with Judge Lynn Toler, there was one
couple who had entered the courtroom to have a judge decide their fate.
The husband appeared to be normal. The wife appeared to
be normal. Appearances can be deceiving. He spoke in a normal manner. She
spoke OCD Associated Delusional Verbage.
I made that up, but it fits.
The expressions on his face showed frustration,
exasperation and few other “ations” that I can’t mention. Her
expressions showed contempt for him and the judge.
He was calling her controlling. She said she had a right
to be. He just didn’t get it. She was determined to make sure he did.
The judge finally asked them what was the final catalyst
that landed them in court?
Husband: She is too controlling. I had my pajamas laid
out to put on when I got out of the shower. What I found to wear when I got
out of the shower was a different set that she laid out for me. What
difference do it make about peejamas?
He had a point.
Wife: I had every right to change what he was going to
wear. I had on a red night gown and he should have worn red boxers and
pajamas.
Judge Lynn: You mean you color coordinated his underwear
and pajamas with what you were wearing?
Wife: Yes I did. It’s only right.
Husband: See Judge. See how controlling she is.
Wife: He ain’t a man Judge. He can’t stand up to his
grandmother. He goes there all the time.
Husband: I go there to get away from you. I don’t have
to stand up to her.
Wife: Well you ain’t no man.
Judge Lynn: How could anybody be anything with you
beating them down all the time?
If the relationship weren’t already in jeopardy it was
now. She got louder and louder trying to explain his lack of cooperation with
her OCD.
He stood there dumbfounded proving he had truly had
enough.
She wanted spousal support for six months.
He wanted out stating “peace of mind at any cost.”
The judge settled the case but not before she let loose a
bit of advice about the wife’s OCD tendencies and why everyone should see it
her way and cooperate.
The wife got 3 months spousal support and advice from the
judge to get a job, get a life and get treatment.
The husband finally got peace of mind.
Conversation stated
from memory and not intended to be actual quotes. But it’s good enough to
get the gist of what was going on in the courtroom.
From the life and mind of:
Wanda M. Argesinger
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www.wandaargersinger.com
