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Prone to Obsessions?

post #1 of 18
2/5/13 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
I know that some believe that there is a genetic link to alcoholism, gambling addictions, and other addictive behaviors. I never thought myself to have addictive/obsessive tendencies until I was in my 30's. Now, I notice that my teenage daughter has obsessive tendencies very similar to mine, only she is worse than me. I've searched the Internet trying to find an obsessive disorder that isn't OCD - just someone who is prone to becoming overly obsessed with hobbies, interests, etc. In my case, I have to try very hard not to lose friends or make family members angry at me because all I talk about is my obsession. I sometimes get insomnia and don't sleep all night because my mind is spinning 1,000 miles an hour about whatever I'm obsessed about. Like I said, my daughter is worse than me.

Anyone else out there that bad when it comes to their hobbies and likes?
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post #2 of 18
2/5/13 at 4:41pm
Not to that extent yet for me.
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post #3 of 18
2/5/13 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
It's not just fragrance for me, though. It's anything I get my brain wrapped around enough to really want to get into. Sometimes the obsession lasts a few months, sometimes many years.
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post #4 of 18
2/5/13 at 6:46pm
I've noticed that I can get attached or 'obsessed' with hobbies once in a while. I have a rather large library at home (but I am an 'academic' so that's easily explained away). Fragrances are my most recent 'obsession' but before this it was car detailing (not so much now as I got rid of the car). There have been others and they do last for different periods of time. Family and friends usually indulge my interests but I also try to keep my babbling to a minimum if I see someone isn't very interested. And from time to time it's come in handy when giving out advice. And yes, I've lost a few night's sleep every now and then...
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post #5 of 18
2/5/13 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCBoomBoom View Post

I've noticed that I can get attached or 'obsessed' with hobbies once in a while. I have a rather large library at home (but I am an 'academic' so that's easily explained away). Fragrances are my most recent 'obsession' but before this it was car detailing (not so much now as I got rid of the car). There have been others and they do last for different periods of time. Family and friends usually indulge my interests but I also try to keep my babbling to a minimum if I see someone isn't very interested. And from time to time it's come in handy when giving out advice. And yes, I've lost a few night's sleep every now and then...

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one!
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post #6 of 18
2/5/13 at 7:50pm
Maybe you should seek professional counseling.
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post #7 of 18
2/5/13 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Maybe you should seek professional counseling.

What he calls an 'obsession' you call a 'passion'.
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post #8 of 18
2/5/13 at 11:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Maybe you should seek professional counseling.

My wife thinks so. No, seriously.
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post #9 of 18
2/6/13 at 1:02am
Hobbies should bring joy, not insomnia or interpersonal difficulties.
Perhaps you should listen to your wife.
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post #10 of 18
2/6/13 at 2:04am
I too think perhaps you should listen to your wife. It can't be a bad thing to at least try professional councelling.
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post #11 of 18
2/6/13 at 2:04am
Apart from the occasional comments from friends and family, who sometimes think otherwise, none of my hobbies have reached so far (at least, as much as I know and can tell) obsessive extents.

Then again, professional counseling, as correctly suggested in previous posts can never harm, even if just as a second opinion.
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post #12 of 18
2/6/13 at 5:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCBoomBoom View Post

What he calls an 'obsession' you call a 'passion'.

I got into a discussion with someone about that recently. Being in the medical profession, I tend to want to put labels on things. Nowadays for insurance purposes, that can be a problem. But, I guess the consensus in our committee of two was that the line between passion and obsession is if it is hurting you or others in an undesired fashion. Frankly, I think the world could use lots more passion, even at the risk of some obsession. Apathy is sure death.
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post #13 of 18
2/6/13 at 7:14am
It's a toughie, passion, obsession. It's all a 'question of degree' . Don't lose sleep man -- just look at the world around you and be thankful you aren't in another place.
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post #14 of 18
2/6/13 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gandhajala View Post

Hobbies should bring joy, not insomnia or interpersonal difficulties.
Perhaps you should listen to your wife.

This is a good point!
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post #15 of 18
2/6/13 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gandhajala View Post

Hobbies should bring joy, not insomnia or interpersonal difficulties.
Perhaps you should listen to your wife.

On the contrary, it's the excitement and anticipation of the known and unknown, quite 'normal' by most standards/accounts.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiona View Post

But, I guess the consensus in our committee of two was that the line between passion and obsession is if it is hurting you or others in an undesired fashion. Frankly, I think the world could use lots more passion, even at the risk of some obsession. Apathy is sure death.

A good 'line' to go by. My 'obsessions' are always within my financial abilities, stimulate me intellectually, and at worst will be a 'time suck' for a few days to a few weeks.
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post #16 of 18
2/6/13 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCBoomBoom View Post

On the contrary, it's the excitement and anticipation of the known and unknown, quite 'normal' by most standards/accounts.

- - - Updated - - -




A good 'line' to go by. My 'obsessions' are always within my financial abilities, stimulate me intellectually, and at worst will be a 'time suck' for a few days to a few weeks.

Thanks for the comments here. I hope I didn't make myself sound like some kind of nut case, I just get very excited and passionated about things that interest me. I am careful financially with them, as I would never want my family to suffer in that way from my obsessions (ie - no groceries because I spent the food money for the month). I try not to let my "time suck" affect my family too much and generally attempt to share my interests with my wife and kids. My seven year-old son shares an interest infragrance. He has his own small collection that he loves. His favorite fragrances are Tobacco Vanille and Jaipur Homme EDP.
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post #17 of 18
2/6/13 at 1:50pm
Mmm... Jaipur Homme. I think he's getting a good start in life.
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post #18 of 18
2/7/13 at 1:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiona View Post

Mmm... Jaipur Homme. I think he's getting a good start in life.


He has his own 100ml bottle that I bought from a fellow Basenoter for him. He wears it all the time. Now if I could just teach him that more is not necessarily better!!
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