- Home
- Find a Therapist
- Topic Streams
- Get Help
Mental Health
Addiction
ADHD
Anxiety
Asperger's
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Eating Disorders
Insomnia
OCDPersonality
Passive Aggression
Personality
ShynessPersonal Growth
Happiness
Goal Setting
Positive PsychologyRelationships
Low Sexual Desire
Relationships
SexEmotion Management
Anger
Procrastination
StressFamily Life
Adolescents
Child Development
Elder Care
Parenting
SiblingsRecently Diagnosed?
Diagnosis Dictionary
- Magazine
- Tests
- Psych Basics
- Experts
There is a deep connection between phobias, fetishes, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In each, someone has an emotion that threatens to overwhelm her. Or, she has a complex brain--so her own racing thoughts threaten to derail her.
In response, she compartmentalizes things in the outside world. Read More
i don't know why this
i don't know why this reminded me of people who get involved in self harm just to feel in control since they are the ones who choose the pain's intensity
It's fascinating that the
It's fascinating that the role player sets up the arbitrary rules of the game which, in fact, could be keeping him from being a dangerous sociopath. Do you think he'll need to intensify the activities to maintain his sense of satisfaction or will he manage to sustain the behavior as safe and victimless?
in defense
This is in response to the person who wrote about the "sociopathic" tendencies of the roleplay.
In defense of my friend, he's a good guy who's just also got anxiety, and he's far from a sociopath. But I think what you're saying makes sense: It's hard to know where to draw the line between safe play and play that's so raw and driven that it ends up hurting people
agreed - reply
This is a reply to the person who posted about self-harm: I think your parallel makes a lot of sense. Eating disorders have that quality too.
My friend emailed me a great note about that idea last night--and asked where we draw the line between a "healthy" compartmentalization of anxiety and a dangerous one.
congratulations on a fascinating blog!
Interesting that you are dealing with anxieties that need order. A recurring anxiety for me is tax return time.I have to surround my focus on tax preparation with first finishing another task before I sit down to do my taxes and planning something pleasant for myself after I get it all in order.It's like cushioning the anxiety.I go through the same thing every year.Yesterday, I changed burned out lightbulbs , spent 4 hours on taxes, and took myself to a movie.
to the tax procrastinator
Yes: money anxiety. I avoid money issues by compatmentalizing them in...um...the void. I avoid bank statements, IRA info, everything that comes with a number and a "$".
Lack of order
While I find the act of imposing order comforting, it's maintenance is exhausting. I find myself in a constant oscillation between chaos - engagement with a project at the expense of other rituals, dealling with the interruptions of the day, and order. I understand that the need and desire to impose order can express itself in neurotic or even psychotic behaviors or comportments. But getting out of that oscillation trap/habit towards more healthy, goal oriented behavior is challenging. Sometimes, when giving myself latitude, I think/feel the purity of my art ebbs.
response to the lack of order post
do your projects ever also feel like the creation of order?
I have an eating disorder and
I have an eating disorder and get a sense of security by eating the same foods in the same portions at the same time every day. Because of other medical problems, I cannot take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Do you think that cognitive behavioral therapy might help to alleviate the tremendous anxiety I feel when breaking from my routines? (I do see a therapist and participate in an EDO group.)
reply to ED post
Thanks for your honesty here. I do know that cognitive behavioral therapy can help with Eating Disorders, and I wish you luck going forward. I'm glad you're seeing a therapist now, and would encourage you to ask him or her about a referral if you feel like you want to do more cognitive behavioral work.
OCD
I know a person who has OCD. She continuously cleans her house, picking up crumbs, real or immaginary, etc. I suggested she seek professional help, but I'm being ignored. Any suggestions.?
response to ocd
I guess a person's habits are only a problem if she experiences them as a problem or if they cause real distress to people around her. That is, motivation to change usually has to come from an individual's own sense of distress. Maybe her defenses are what she needs right now. What do you think?
OCD
You're probably right. But it's frustrating to watch.
Man, I really really enjoy
Man, I really really enjoy your blog
man-
man, thanks!
my name is tiffany h and i
my name is tiffany h and i get smarter every time i read your blog : )
Cleaning
I'm in college as well and I clean my dorm room excessively, especially before I'm going to study. It's strange because I am not this way at home. Even when it's clean I find my self standing around staring at it, almost in a daze-like state. My roommate laughs at me but I'm wondering if something is really going on inside?
Transvestic Fetishism
I'm a post-grad Psychology student and an occasional transvestic fetishist. I don't get the urge to dress much these days - far too busy! - but when I do, it's almost always in response to an increase of stress; deadlines approaching, presentations to prepare, etc. I've just learned to use it as a stress-reliever, as-and-when necessary. It calms me and gives me some sense of control when everything else is going crazy. As such, I can definitely see parallels between my behaviour and OCD.
It is a shame that you are
It is a shame that you are misleading a large group of people. There are to many forms and levels of OCD to be able to create such a simplistic answer for a very complex disorder. OCD is not a coping disorder, it is biological. It is sad that many people will see you 3 second analogy as actual scientific thought on the subject.
Hopefully readers view others
Hopefully readers view others comments
Post new comment