I'm one of those people who becomes obsessed with an activity. For example:- I spend way too many hours on the computer. It seems to have taken over my life.
I've been obsessed with buying stuff at second hand stores for a long time now, where it becomes difficult to know where I'm going to put things when I get home. My closets are jammed with clothing. My "junk" room is full of stuff I just had to have because the price was so low. I visit the second hand store (Value Village) daily.
If I take up a hobby like knitting, I get carried away and knit until nobody I know wants any of it any more and I start having to put away the things I've knitted in plastic bags.
I have exercise equipment in my basement. I used to go down there several time a day. I had a scale there and every time I went down to exercise, I'd weigh myself, like I expected to see an instant weight loss.
When I drop something that I was obsessed with, I take up a new obsession. My obsession of the moment is the computer. I even dream that I'm on the computer. Every obsession I've had, I dream about it.
I obsess over sooo much too! I am having a hard time deciding if it should be controlled with meds or therapy though. It is FEELS crazy, even when I'm in it. Does anyone have some insight on how to cope with this?
Lis "better living through modern chemistry" can be a beautiful thing
Oh, you both sound just like me! I get obsessed with anything and everything, can't sleep for nights over it. Computers, art, crafts, writing, decorating - whatever.
I've been on every (literally every) anti-psychotic and have been through therapy for this, and I'm not as bad as I used to be. But my mom is just like me in this respect.
As for coping with it, unfortunately I pop a Xanax and a Zyprexa every night (as per doctor's orders) to try to knock myself out, because the obsessions are worse when it's just about bedtime. Also, if I can force myself to do it, I take a nice warm bath and drink some herbal tea. Anything to get my heartrate down, because it's just racing when I'm obsessing.
If I don't take care of it early on, it turns into a manic episode, and my mania is dysphoric, so it's not pleasant.
But I think that in many ways, I'll always jump in head-first into any project or interest.
~~ Cindy ~~
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain
Thank you all for your posts on this subject. I didn't realize until I read these that I was obsessive compulsive. I get on these kicks where I completely focus on that one thing, like I bought a playstation and a bunch of games to go with it. I was obessed with getting as many things as I could for the playstation. Then I got bored with it and moved to my next target. I'll stumble upon a subject and then try to get as many books as I can on it...then I move on again. And clothes? Don't even ask how many clothes I have..I could open up my own store. That seems to be an ongoing obsession to the point where I buy stuff just because its a good deal and I someday 'might' fit into it. How do we stop this crazyness?
I am dealing with an adult daughter now who I realize has obsessed her whole life. She has moved from one 'thing' to another, puts all her dreams in it and then moves on to something else. Now I fear her husband is going to be a part of it and he is absolutely the nicest guy in the world. It will break my heart.
Just found this forum. I am dealing with an adult daughter now who I realize has obsessed her whole life. She has moved from one 'thing' to another, puts all her dreams in it and then moves on to something else. Now I fear her husband is going to be a part of it and he is absolutely the nicest guy in the world. It will break my heart.
Obsession Disorder
Posted - 05/24/2005 : 05:00:54
