Having something or a lot of something on your mind all day that's been bothering you and your stressing about it. How is that different than obsessing? I'd say they're the same?
2006-11-15 05:14:22 · 7 answers · asked by Snorty 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
When someone is obsessed the thought over takes their life. A wise woman once said that the difference between normal and abnormal is when the behavior forces us to alter our life for it. In the case you described where someone has something on their mind is normal. We all have experienced a problem or other situation that weighs on us. For most this is a temporary state. Once time has passed or the situation arises we don't think about it as often. When someone is obsessive they cannot get rid of the thought no matter what. Obsessive thoughts are often irrational and are accompanied by compulsive behaviors. An example could be leaving for vacation and thinking you left the iron on. You may replay leaving the house for awhile to try and remember if you turned it off, you may even call a friend to check on it for you. You may even turn around if you haven't traveled too far to check for yourself. No matter what after a couple of hours you'll forget about it. Someone who is being obsessive about leaving the iron on may have to turn back several times and check it. They may even cancel a trip because of the thought of the iron being left on. They may develop an elaborate ritual every time they leave the house that involves turning the iron on and off many times. I hope this helps.
2006-11-15 05:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by Stacy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's only an obsession if it takes over your life. If it is affecting your daily life and you are unable to do the things you normally do, then that's obsessing about something. We all worry about things at some point in our lives that may affect our daily living for a short period of time. But when it takes over your life and is ongoing for a long period of time, that's when it becomes a problem.
2006-11-15 13:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by edawns 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a current situation that you need to decide on a way of action and you haven't had time to think it through I wouldn't call that an obsession.
If you are constantly thinking about the same thing over and over such as your weight or your health or your looks etc. I think that would be called being obsessive
2006-11-15 13:19:10 · answer #3 · answered by Alex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If something is on your mind and bothering you it may not be obsessing. If it is interfering with your daily life then it is obsessive compulsive. Believe me, I know, I've got obsessive compulsive disorder. If you can still go about your business as any other day, but it is still on your mind, it's just bothering you, you're completelly normal.
2006-11-15 14:29:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the thought has paralyzed you and prevents you from getting anything else accompished - it is then an obsession - if it's just something on your mind that's stressing you, like getting a root canal or not having enough money to pay the bills, but you are able to complete other tasks throughtout the day, then you are just stressing.
2006-11-15 13:28:47 · answer #5 · answered by livetall1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, yes I would say there is a difference, is there anything you can do about what is on your mind? Is there something you can say or something you know that can help another? It really depends on what the "thing" on your mind is. Good Luck!
2006-11-15 13:24:08 · answer #6 · answered by Cynthia B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are not the same...I think they are close...
2006-11-15 13:21:19 · answer #7 · answered by gaucha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋