OCD?

or something else?

Published on December 18, 2004 By Danny Bassette In Philosophy

       I am an obsessive and addictive person. I think it's my personality mostly, as opposed to chemical imbalance type stuff. But that's besides the point.
       The point is that I find myself easily obsessed with various things. Sometimes good things, sometimes bad, so I have to be careful with myself. Course everyone does, but that is also besides the point.
       I don't gamble, smoke, drink or use drugs, because I think if I started I'd become addicted more or less instantly. And I think being addicted to any of those would have enough negatives that I should avoid them.
       I've been addicted to computer games (and to some extent still am). I could blame dropping out of college on that if I wanted to. I was obsessed with running, which wasn't really a bad thing. Any day I didn't go out and run at least five miles I felt restless until I ran. Which made my enforced two weeks of no running all the worse. I also was (and to some extent still am) obsessed with a person. The word we used to describe that was crazy, and if I was rambling I'd run with that, but I'm not so It'll wait.
       Which leaves my current obsession. JoeUser: Usually first thing in the morning (sometimes I'll check my email first) I'll check to see what has changed since I went to bed. Read and reply as needed. Every few hours as the day goes by, read and reply as needed. Right before bed, you guessed it, read and reply as needed. Sometime in there I might do some writing of my own, but that varies.
       What of future obsessions? In the past I've broken one obsession by gaining another, so I would expect the same to hold true again. I could see me becoming addicted to Anarchy Online, but it is too soon to tell. I'll admit if I do it's as much for a time waster then anything else. I might become obsessed with a person again, a possibility I am painfully aware of. I have very mixed thoughts on that one, if done well it could be a very good thing, but more likely will just mess up at least two peoples lives even more.
       So where does this leave me? Aware of a character flaw and attempting to figure out where to go with it.
       Endnote: If anyone wants to argue the things I state as addictions are really obsessions, consider your argument acknowledged, I used the words I felt fit best. Your still welcome to argue if you want to though

Comments

Hamster 311

on Dec 18, 2004

I think you should give yourself a little pat on the back for recognizing your obsessive/addictive/whatever tendencies. Seems to me it is rather smart of you to limit most of your obsessions to things that are relatively more healthy for you. I mean, running, for instance. It's sure better for you than drinking, smoking and doing drugs. So what if you get a little obsessed about it?

You say you've "broken one obsession by gaining another," but does it have to be so sinister? My impression is that you're simply the type of person who is very enthusiastic about whatever you're into at the time. Of course, something else comes along and piques your interest...thank God!...you're alive and life's interesting! Yeah!

Of course, people are a different matter, a little more dangerous. But you're givinig me the distinct impression that you're learning...

Danny Bassette

on Dec 18, 2004

Yep, I'm learning, or at least trying to. And I do give myself credit, this is mostly about an aspect of who I am, for good or bad. If I can't identify what makes me me I might surprise myself negativly, whereas if I'm aware I can plan accordingly. And I think you have a much more positive way to look at it

SSG Geezer

on Dec 18, 2004

Realizing that your personality tends toward overdoing things is a good start. I have family memebers that have issues with alcohol so I rarely drink at all. Sometimes I ReallY! drink but that is quite rare.
Knowing oneself is a good start on avoiding that sort of behavior.

Hamster 311

on Dec 18, 2004

And I do give myself credit, this is mostly about an aspect of who I am, for good or bad.

Danny Bassette

on Dec 18, 2004

I'll agree to that SSG Geezer

Sally jacobs

on Dec 19, 2004

Half the battle is realising these things, so well done for that. I have an obsessive compulsive thing going on. Not like yours, it's not that I become addicted to things, it's that I become obsessive about things. Stupid things. Like if I don't do things in a certain way, I think something bad is going to happen. People have it alot worse than me, and I am aware of it, and I am trying to break the pattern. I've reached a point now where it isn't noticable to other people, which is good. Even baby steps, are steps forward. Good luck

Danny Bassette

on Dec 19, 2004

Thanks Sally, I hope you get your obsessive things under control too.

iamheather

on Dec 19, 2004

Just because I wash my hands with exactly eight pumps of soap everytime, does not make me obsessive or compulsive, just clean.

When I count how many steps (every time) it takes me to get from my bedroom to the kitchen, I am just being accurate.

Checking the front door eight times before going to bed is simply being precautious.

I could go on....but you get the point.

I understand ya, Danny and relate.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!