Obsessing over obsession

I have a new and exciting obsession that I've been completely consumed in for the past few days, literally. I have a very addictive behavior, and obsessing over things is common, even if it only lasts a week or so. But I don't think I'm going to be able to shake this one anytime soon. It's already gotten to the point where it's borderline dangerous to my mental and physical health, not to mention my wife and kid's health. Does anyone else experience this? or have methods of making it less intense or pass more quickly?

Can you share what the obsession is? Don't answer if you don't want to. I don't have any ideas except self discipline I guess.

could you put aside time each day to allow yourself to obsess(providing its a safe obsession) and then make a decision to wean yourself from it?

I would try to deflect the focus of the obsession by obsessing over how I could rid my mind of the deleterious obsession.

Hello there, I can relate to your situation. It's VERY difficult to shake off an obsession. Depending on what the obsession is, I agree with Rainbowzz that you should put some time aside and allow yourself to obsess. If it's relatively healthy, then there's nothing wrong with it. Just make sure you don't do it in excess.

(I've actually been having issues lately with listening to music and going into my own world too much, so I'm going to try to take my own advice today! :P)

The DeFeo murders. I think I have it all figured out though. Except motive, and some details.

Yes. I do at first. But eventually it consumes my every waking thought, self-discipline goes out the window, and I end up spending days in my basement going through piles of evidence and interviews (or the object of whatever the obsession may be at the given moment) until I lose interest. Of course, then I find something else to obsess over, and the process starts all over again.

That's what I'm doing. Or trying to do. I don't really get to pick what I obsess over. It did help when I was in therapy, or at least made it less intense.

I usually do that, but this is more of a thinking process than an action. Of course I could stop researching the case, but I'd still be thinking about it constantly. You know?

Do you think he's innocent? What are you trying to figure out? Maybe you would make a good detective.

Yes, I can relate to that. It comes under the category of invasive thoughts which will not leave you alone. Mine start out being energizing and intriguing but end up tedious and tormenting. My latest one is music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. The lyrics are so brilliant.
For me it seems to be a typical bipolar characteristic. It has served me well in the past as it related to study/work because it led to intense focus.
I guess if it is interfering with your functioning, you will have to ask for help with it. In some ways I would rather be like that than someone who is not interested in anything.

He's guilty as sin. What I was trying to figure out was motive, or some method behind the madness. I've since, after reading some interviews by the person in question, come to the conclusion that Ronnie is just contemptibly stupid. And then there are the conspiracy theories detailing an accomplice, or, according to Ronnie, three accomplices, one of them being his sister and victim, Dawn. It's hard to believe that only two of the six people killed were awoken by the deafening shots of a rifle and that none of them struggled against their shooter, especially considering the time that elapsed between the initial and final shots.

I'm going to mark this as triggering, just in case.

Work usually holds my interest as well. But, if I become bored with those endeavors, I look for other things to obsess over. It's almost like a drug fix without the drug, always looking for new things to excite myself with.

I really do need help with this. I think my obsessions are a part of my nature, and I doubt they'll ever go away entirely. But I wish they were less consuming. It often gets to the point where I don't eat or sleep because I'm too involved with some obsession to pay mind to my health. And forget about social interactions...

Without medication or therapy, it seems replacing an obsession with another is the only viability. You have said you have no choice over what you obsess about. Yet, you have a big brain and could work on acquiring a less intrusive obsession.

My other thought is grounding: http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...t=16719&page=2

I'll try finding another hobby to divert my attention from the obsession. I have a habit of multi-tasking though, so I'll have to work on that...

I'll try some grounding skills too. But I'm not sure how it would work in the context of my thinking process. I can see how it would help with addictions, but every article I've found indicate the addictions stem from PTSD, or some form of anxiety disorder. The addictions are a negative method of coping with an overt amount of stimulus, such as a trigger. My addictive behavior stems from lack of stimulus. One of the problems with having little to no emotions is that I'm constantly bored and impulsively looking for things ... anything ... to make me feel something.

That might sound cliche... But, when I have a normal, quiet life, I feel very claustrophobic.

I know this thread has died, but I thought I'd let everyone know that I found out what was causing it. Sadly, there's no treatment. But I'd like to thank everyone anyway for their helpful advice.

Whenever I get those thoughts, I immediately do slow, deep breathes. It really helps for me.

I also do daily meditation of 10 minutes. That helps and it is why its easier to block it out when obsession thoughts hit me. My mind is already very use to focusing on breathing.

Mine aren't too strong compulsions, doing deep breathing should help at least.

Thank you for your suggestions, I will try them as soon as I get the chance.

But now I'm wondering if it's even ethical to stop the investigation. I mean, in more recent research, a possible 7th victim has emerged, one that has never been identified. And I have reason to believe there was an accomplice or three. I'm not the only researcher that believes this.

Good luck with your research, Myers.

I get these obsessions also. They come óut of nowhere and go as fast as they come. Sometimes I force myself to do some thing else like my kniting or another hobby. At first it is damn hard to reawaken the old interest, but after a while, I can usually detract a lot of the energy on to tyhat instead, and the reserected hobby isn't as strong an obsession. Good luck and take care.