The Real Anxiety of Leaving the Oven On Why Taking Pictures of Your Unplugged Appliances Isn’t the Solution, According to Therapists
The Real Anxiety of Leaving the Oven On Therapists Explain Why Taking Pictures of Unplugged Appliances Isn't Helping
Filming your appliances perpetuates the anxiety, experts said. – Javier Zayas Photography
Fashion Frenzy: When Your Inner OCD Meets Appliances
Ah, the joys of leaving the house! Getting ready, checking your appearance in the mirror, and grabbing your bag—it’s all part of the routine. But for some fashionistas, there’s an added element of anxiety. We bring you the hilarious and oh-so-relatable TikTok clip of @Kelsointhehouse (or Kellsie, as she’s also known), showcasing her pre-departure rituals with appliances.
To prevent a “panic attack,” our fearless fashionista has concocted a series of checks and balances. Three times she checked the stove, making sure it was off. She even went the extra mile, ensuring her air fryer plug was positioned far away from any outlet, so it couldn’t magically plug itself back in. Brilliant!
But Kellsie’s thoroughness didn’t stop there—she inspected her unused hair iron, making sure it was unplugged, and made sure her vacuum cords were safely tucked away. “I don’t think they would cause a fire, but they might,” she hilariously proclaims. Better safe than sorry, right?
Check out Kellsie’s TikTok video here
The comments section exploded with kindred spirits, sharing their own appliance anxiety and the lengths they go to avoid potential disasters. Some even confessed to canceling trips due to lingering fears. It seems our fashionable OCD tribe is united!
Oh, and let’s not forget about the evidence! Many, like Kellsie, snap photos and shoot videos of their perfectly unplugged outlets, locked doors, and unlit candles. One viewer proudly proclaims, “You should see my camera roll!” Another can relate, “I have to take a pic of my garage door being completely shut when I leave.” The struggle is real, my friends!
We reached out to Kellsie for comment, but until then, let’s delve into the psychology behind these quirky rituals. While we’re not diagnosing anyone, experts suggest that anxiously checking household items can be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Mimi Winsberg, a witty psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Brightside Health, explains that OCD is like having intrusive thoughts that demand compulsive actions to combat them. Only 1.2% of the population experiences true OCD, but we all have a touch of quirkiness, don’t we?
Watch similar videos by other TikTokers here!
Psychologist Julie Pike dubs this phenomenon “checking” and reveals that publicly documenting it is, well, counterproductive. While it may offer short-term relief, it actually perpetuates the compulsive behavior and worsens OCD symptoms. So let’s have a laugh together, fellow fashionistas, but remember that filming your appliances won’t provide a lasting solution.
Don’t fret, though! Relating to appliance anxiety doesn’t automatically mean you need a diagnosis. “Everyone has what could be labeled OCD thoughts,” Pike reassures us. It’s just a matter of intensity. Diagnosis becomes relevant when these thoughts start interfering with our social and occupational functioning. So, as long as you’re still rocking those marvelous outfits and giving fashion advice, you’re all good!
In her practice, Winsberg prioritizes tackling compulsions with patients, starting with the easiest ones. By teaching them to tolerate their anxiety, she aims to reduce the time spent on compulsions—the very thing that holds us back. So fear not, my fashionable friends, the anxiety will eventually subside. It cannot sustain itself indefinitely. Relief is on the runway!
Now, off you go, conquering the world with your impeccable fashion sense and a dash of OCD. Remember, in the game of fashion, there’s no room for anxiety—just fabulousness! 💁♀️
